Overview
- The Focus Features drama is now in limited theatrical release, with reviewers calling attention to its intense portrayal of parental grief and its late-16th-century setting.
- Jessie Buckley’s turn as Agnes earns widespread acclaim, with Paul Mescal praised for a restrained, affecting portrayal of William Shakespeare.
- Festival screenings drew polarized audience responses, including reported walkouts and extended applause, as the film’s emotional force proves challenging for some viewers.
- Critics laud the craft, highlighting Łukasz Żal’s cinematography, Fiona Crombie’s production design, immersive sound, and Max Richter’s score.
- Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, the film’s period staging and performance sequences are cited as key to its impact, and it is gathering strong awards-season momentum.