Film Review: Spencer is the latest film offering a glimpse behind the Royal Family curtain

Directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain and written by Steven Knight, Spencer is the much anticipated “fable from a true tragedy” of a fateful few days, two decades ago. Offering a new perspective on a media story many of us may feel familiar with, the film takes place in the Christmas break at Sandringham House in the winter of 1991.
By Rose Butler
Published 2nd Nov 2021, 10:34 BST
Updated 2nd Nov 2021, 10:34 BST
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Over the course of three days, the film charts the breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage. Turning tabloid stories and media frenzy into a painful, very personal nightmare, Spencer captures the agony and torment of a woman entirely out of place in her surroundings.

Following a high-profile world premiere at Venice International Film Festival, Spencer is hotly tipped for major award success next year, particularly for Kristen Stewart in the lead role as Diana. Stewart leads the film in a brilliant performance that captures the awkwardness and despair of a woman, suffocating under the expectations of Royal protocol. The finale will break your heart and make it skip all at once.

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Of course, the royal family have long been a ripe subject for film and TV projects - some good, some bad. In 2006, Stephen Frears’s The Queen was released to critical acclaim and earned numerous awards for Helen Mirren in the lead role as Queen Elizabeth. Her portrayal was said to impress the Windsors so much that she was invited to dinner at Buckingham Palace. In 2013, Australian actress Naomi Watts was cast as Diana in Oliver Hirschbeigel’s Diana, which received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Since 2016, Netflix has helmed The Crown. Spencer is the latest film offering something of a glimpse behind the curtain of royal life.

Spencer.Spencer.
Spencer.

Stories of women held captive have become a trademark for Larrain in recent years. Jackie, the critically acclaimed biopic of Jackie Kennedy from 2016, featured Natalie Portman’s highly emotional performance as the First Lady. In 2019 Larrain followed Jackie with Ema, where a dancer break with convention and polite society. Spencer is a logical continuation of this; outwardly, Diana projected an image of having it all, but as the director suggests, the reality is much sadder. Despite the stately homes and designer dresses, a gilded cage is still a cage.

Spencer will be screening at Showroom cinema from Friday 5 November.