Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘The Favourite’ Trailer: Royal Blunders and Oddities

From the brilliant mind of the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos comes another odd way of storytelling in Fox Searchlight’s The Favourite. The trailer has just been released, and it oozes in artful scenes shot in weirdly-angled frames and unique camerawork that’s been known as Lanthimos’ distinct style prominent in The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.

The Favourite stars frequent collaborator Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman, and Emma Stone. There’s a considerable amount of chemistry between the three, and it fleshes out perfectly with Lanthimos’ brand of dark comedy. For an auteur filmmaker such as Lanthimos, it’s a hit or miss whenever they try to take on a period piece (not to mention adding a tinge of comedy to it). The Favourite, however, might just go on to be one of this year’s favored indie films. Set in the 18th-century English and French war period, it tackles the story of a Queen with deteriorating health, with two of her Ladies taking turns in caring for her.

The trailer gives us another glimpse at what could be another indie hit that follows Lanthimos’ two previous films with A24. Partner that with exceptional dialog and oddly interesting dark humor, we’re definitely in for an exhilarating experience with The Favourite.

The Favourite hits select theaters November 23. Check out the synopsis below:

Early 18th century.  England is at war with the French.  Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving.  A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper.  When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah.  Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at return to her aristocratic roots.  As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion.  Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.