Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Jenkins finds the film lifeless and overly focused on exposition, leaving its central drama hollow. He praises Saoirse Ronan’s magnetic performance and convincing Scottish accent.

O'Hara finds the film compelling overall, despite moments of historical implausibility and a weakly staged meeting. She praises Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie’s performances and their clash of personalities.

Lee finds the drama darkly compelling and entertaining, though its historical liberties and uneven execution keep it from being fully successful. He praises Saoirse Ronan’s commanding performance while criticizing Margot Robbie’s unconvincing Elizabeth.

McCarthy finds the film a spirited, timely take on a familiar story, though its exposition can feel blunt. He praises Ronan’s fierce performance and the compelling bond between the two queens.

The review’s overall verdict is not available in the page text. It singles out Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie for strong performances.

The review finds the film handsome and competent but ultimately lopsided and unsatisfying. It praises the compelling connection between Ronan and Robbie’s characters, especially their rare shared scene and the directness of the final shots.

Turan finds the film’s promise only partly realized, despite its compelling central performances. He praises Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie’s commanding work, while faulting the pulpy, excessively theatrical direction.

The critic finds the period piece less exciting than it should be. The female rivalry offers an intriguing premise, but the film does not make the most of it.

The review finds the biopic richly packed but over-ambitious, with its court intrigue sometimes obscuring the plot. It praises Saoirse Ronan’s commanding performance, especially in the rivals’ meeting.

The review finds the film an enjoyable enough journey but otherwise dull. It praises Saoirse Ronan’s performance as Mary over Margot Robbie’s Elizabeth.

Smith finds the film’s feminist framing compelling but says its palace intrigue becomes overly familiar and underdeveloped. He praises the emotionally resonant parallels between Mary and Elizabeth, while faulting the film for leaving secondary characters and their motives murky.

Norman finds the film a tedious, poorly written historical drama that fails to make its central rivalry compelling. He praises Saoirse Ronan’s performance, while faulting the script for leaving her character indistinct.

Debruge finds the film overloaded and narratively incoherent, despite its strong cast and stylish direction. He praises Robbie’s convincing transformation as Elizabeth, while criticizing the dizzying plot for lacking connective tissue.

The critic finds the film lavish but dramatically vague and ultimately bland. They fault it for lacking the psychological acuity and political reflection needed to develop its ideas.

The review is negative about the film. It singles out the lack of chemistry between its two leads as a weakness.

Yoshida finds the film painfully old-fashioned and ultimately without compelling ideas. She faults its awkward, ahistorical effort to recast Mary as a modern underdog, especially its fixation on fertility and virginity.

The critic finds the film an intense, refreshing portrayal of two queens whose lives are shaped by male power. They praise Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie for making both rulers feel complex and compelling.

Nemiroff finds the film flawed by a slow, detached beginning but ultimately compelling. She praises Ronan and Robbie’s performances and the chilling convergence of their characters’ struggles for power.

Bui finds the film stale and narratively aimless despite its progressive intentions. She praises Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie’s convincing, nuanced performances.

The review finds the film valiant but hindered by structural and pacing problems. It praises Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie’s bold, sensitive performances, especially in the imagined meeting between the queens.

Shoemaker finds the film visually sumptuous and compelling in places, but ultimately frustrating because its screenplay rarely matches its performances and artistry. She particularly praises Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie’s performances and Alexandra Byrne’s richly meaningful costumes.

The review finds the film handsome but unfocused, with its divided attention undermining Mary’s story. It praises the performances of Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, especially their eventual scenes together.

The review finds Mary’s story unsatisfying and unresolved. It singles out Margot Robbie’s stern, composed portrayal of Elizabeth as a strength.