Certain hurts linger; I know this firsthand. They’re carried around, and occasionally you can feel them reopen. The Favourite comes from director Yorgos Lanthimos and has writing credited to Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. The cast includes Olivia Colman, Rachael Weisz, Emma Stone, Faye Daveney, James Smith, Mark Gatiss, Willem Dalby, and Nicholas Hoult. Set in early 18th century England, the story follows a weakened Queen Anne (Colman), who allows her confidante, Lady Sarah (Weisz), to effectively run the country. The arrival of a new maid, Abigail (Stone), sees her quickly gaining favor with Sarah. While widely praised and showered with awards, The Favourite didn't quite click for me. It’s important to acknowledge that as a historical depiction, it’s completely inaccurate; I even questioned if Lanthimos was actually Mel Gibson. Still, the director never pretended he and his writing partners were creating something purely for entertainment. The film is technically impressive, with three strong performances from the female leads who clearly committed to the director's vision. Lanthimos also employs some unusual camera techniques, suggesting a filmmaker worth watching if that sort of unconventional style appeals. The costume design and set decoration are equally excellent; it’s difficult to find fault with the production itself. The story weaves together political maneuvering and royal drama. At its center is the competition between Sarah and Abigail for Queen Anne's attention. This dynamic remains compelling, even as Lanthimos introduces provocative elements and blends dark humor with a sense of underlying sadness. It’s an unusual combination, and I don’t believe it entirely succeeds as a complete film; the ending felt especially underwhelming, leaving me feeling both impressed and let down. 7/10

Source on TMDB