Mary Queen of Scots

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Mary Queen of Scots

R

2018

2h 4m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

Tomatometer

294 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary Stuart defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence.

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Critics Consensus

Mary Queen of Scots delivers uneven period political thrills while offering a solid showcase for the talents of its well-matched leads.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

02/21/2020

It's a shame that everything collapses when the queens finally meet in a sequence that has all the heft of a gauzy Chanel fragrance spot.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

07/29/2019

In spite of being handcuffed by uninspired storytelling, [Ronan and Robbie] excel in communicating strength, vulnerability and isolation as two monarchs ruling in a man's world.

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Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

02/07/2019

Few movies make a better case for reexamining the patriarchal historical truths we've come to accept than the impassioned, intricate Mary Queen of Scots.

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Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

11/08/2023

Dramatic license is so much a given that discussions of authenticity are as damned as they are damning.

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Andrea Thompson

A Reel of One's Own

12/19/2022

D

“Mary Queen of Scots” could've at least been an average, or even above average effort to explore a history that is so often misconstrued. Instead, both women are done a disservice in a more modern way...

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

12/07/2022

Willimon and Rourke focus on issues of gender and sexuality in fascinating ways, although it is sometimes jarring to see Mary as a paragon of contemporary tolerance.

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b c

@Maximet Feb 22

Despite strong performances by the two lead actresses, the film is boring and bizarre. It has already stated that the director wanted to make this a rainbow of actors faces' colors and oblique sexuality, therefore deviating from historical fact... but everything else also appeared to be fantastical- the entire enterprise should've been placed in a fictitious land with fictitious people and then it would've been fine. If one wants to make a political statement then do that... making us a film of historical significance, then do that. This is neither - plus it's ugly to watch. Very much now not recommended.

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Ken s

@chibear Dec 10

I usually don’t write reviews, but this movie was such a waste of time that people should be warned. It is the perfect marriage of woke revisionism, terrible soundtrack (from a usually decent composer) and historical inaccuracies. A complete waste of your money.

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Paige W

@RT07722534 Sep 2

I wanted to love this movie, and there was a lot of potential. It's just hard to actually watch it when there's barely any plot.

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J B

@RT88491048 02/15/2025

Had so looked forward to this because too few historical dramas reach the big screen these days. But what a disappointment. I could’ve forgiven the agenda-driven casting had the dialogue and plot been at least a bit historical or interesting. Not even a hint of Mary’s complexities such as her involvement in plotting against Elizabeth and Elizabeth herself being portrayed as a caricature.

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Rob A

@RT29768617 11/15/2024

I think time will look very favourably upon this misunderstood masterpiece. There is some incredible casting, some stunning acting performances and as a whole it is a beautiful feast for the eyes. Ronin is spectacular. Spellbinding. Lowden is amazing. A truly stunning film and one which lives with me, and deserves so much more praise than it seems to get. Beautiful. I think it’s excellent.

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02/20/2024

Entertaining, well-acted

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Synopsis

Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary Stuart defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence.

Director: Josie Rourke
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward
Screenwriter: Beau Willimon
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, Perfect World Pictures, Working Title Films
Rating: R (Some Violence and Sexuality)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.4M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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