The official plot of The Favourite reads: “In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French; nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. “A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. “When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah, and Sarah takes Abigail under her wing only for Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.”
Can you watch The Favourite online?
No, The Favourite is not currently available for online streaming.
There is a period of exclusivity in the aftermath of a film leaving the cinemas, so fans who are keen to watch at home may have some time to wait.
The DVD and digital purchase release date is estimated for February 2019.
The Favourite had its debut in America long before the UK, so the home edition may be available sooner stateside.
For now, to be wowed by the performances of Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, you’ll have to head to the cinema.
And it is worth heading to the cinema to see, with a 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Queen Anne is played by the inimitable Olivia Colman, whose stellar performance in Broadchurch brought her critical acclaim.
The two warring courtiers, at odds to be the Queen’s favourite, are played by Emma Stone (Abigail) and Rachel Weisz (Lady Sarah).
As Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer is Nicholas Hoult (Skins, About a Boy, Mad Max Fury Road).
Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) takes up the role of the 1st Duke of Marlborough John Churchill.
Joe Alwyn, an up and comer, plays Samuel Masham, Abigail’s husband.
James Smith, known for his roles in In The Loop and In The Thick Of It, plays Godolphin.
Additionally, Jenny Rainsford and Liam Fleming join as Mae and Levom respectively.
The Favourite is based on the true story, a scandal which rocked 18th Century England.
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos from a screenplay written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, The Favourite is a joint US, Irish, and UK production.
Lanthimos, Colman, and Weisz all worked together on Lanthimos’ The Lobster.
Express.co.uk wrote: “The Favourite feels anachronistically modern, with its characters speaking both plainly and in the heightened, imagined, English of their time and station.
“But perhaps this rather exposes a flaw in other historical dramas, who are so wrapped up in perceived accuracy they forget the base human nature of the people populating the world.
“The Favourite never forgets these baser human desires, of which power is one.
“In some ways, the movie is tame for Lanthimos, far less obtuse than his previous works, but The Favourite is no less complex in its portrayal of women, sex, and power.”
The Favourite is now playing in cinemas.