Trailer for Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite teases lunacy and fine gowns

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Whenever you see flowing gowns, powdered wigs or a face with pounds of makeup on it you can assume there will be stuffiness in the air and many discussions about civility. Director Yorgos Lanthimos looks to subvert those expectations with his new movie THE FAVOURITE, for which the first trailer has dropped teasing plenty of duck racing and lunacy in fine gowns. The movie stars Olivia Colman as a mentally unstable Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah, her friend and the woman who governs in her stead, and Emma Stone as Abigail, a new assistant looking to leave her own mark.

Here is the plot synopsis

Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfill her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.

The director won acclaim for his recent efforts, THE LOBSTER and THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, utilizing a style that blends dark, twisted humor with some heavy subject matter. He also has an incredibly distinct eye when it comes to camerawork, making his films as unique as they are an acquired taste. This looks like yet another mad, enveloping piece of work from the director, with a trio of fantastic performances to boot, making it a must-see indie outing.

THE FAVOURITE arrives November 23.