Empire of Light is a quiet, thoughtful Sam Mendes film about a mentally disturbed woman who works at a seaside cinema in 1980s England. Beautifully shot, this film is an ode to the magic of movies and the friendships and communities that shape our lives. But, it doesn’t shy away from more serious themes like loneliness, mental illness and racism. The heart of the film rests on Hilary’s (Olivia Coleman) relationship to Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new theater employee. Empire of Light teaches us what it means to grow up, experience life, and — despite all its troubles — to look ahead to the future with hope. A perfect film to bring in the new year.

Trailer

Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 2022
Running Time: 1h 55min
Studio: Neal Street Productions, Searchlight Pictures
MPAA: R
Starring: Olivia Coleman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones
Director: Sam Mendes
Writer: Sam Mendes

Related Reviews & Articles

IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 44% Tomatometer, 75% Audience Score
Roger and Ebert: ⭐️⭐️✨

IndieWire / VARIETY / Hollywood Reporter / New York Times / New Yorker / The Guardian / The Wrap / Vanity Fair / DEADLINE

Where to Watch: In theaters
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