Fictionalized stories based on actual people run the risk of feeling contrived, and this film unfortunately falls into that trap by stretching the truth about Empress Elisabeth’s life considerably. Vicky Krieps portrays the wife of Emperor Franz Josef, and the movie attempts to depict a year in her existence—a woman who, after experiencing personal loss and an emotionally distant marriage, became preoccupied with her weight and sought isolation. Krieps delivers a commendable performance, crafting a believable character, but the film’s jarring mix of contemporary and historical elements feels out of place – the reasoning behind these choices isn't clear. The settings used don't reflect the expected luxury and magnificence of places like the Hofburg or Prague Castle; even the home of her horse trainer, Colin Morgan, seems more like a dilapidated structure than what she actually possessed. While her reclusiveness is acknowledged, it doesn’t align with the lavish lifestyle she was known to have enjoyed. The film also focuses on an unexceptional period in her life, overlooking earlier years marked by family conflict or the significant "Mayerling" era that contributed to her later downfall. A speculative depiction of her connection with King Ludwig II of Bavaria doesn't enhance the narrative either. The ending is presented in a strangely peculiar way, serving as an unsatisfying conclusion to what is ultimately a rather dull and slow-moving drama. It provides a brief look at this fascinating woman, but lacks depth. It’s disappointing.

Source on TMDB