Spencer (2021)

O’Sullivan finds the film gripping and wrenching, praising its nuanced portrait that lets no one off the hook. She especially singles out Kristen Stewart’s subtle, uncannily precise performance as Diana.

Brooks finds the film magnificent, intoxicating and unreverential in its portrayal of royal life. He particularly praises Kristen Stewart’s compelling performance as Diana, trapped by the monarchy’s dress-up game.

Gleiberman calls the film magnificent and at least as good as Jackie, praising Kristen Stewart’s transformative performance as Diana. He singles out the moment Diana stands up to her sons’ hunting as especially moving.

Willmore finds the film a compelling, sympathetic portrait of Diana and her misery within royal life. She especially praises Kristen Stewart’s ability to capture Diana’s charisma while playing her suffering sincerely.

Jenkins finds the film slow and inert, with a problematic, often witless script. He praises Kristen Stewart’s graceful performance and her expressive portrayal of Diana’s yearning for freedom.

The review presents Spencer as a harrowing portrait of a marriage’s collapse and Diana’s troubled mind. It praises Kristen Stewart’s performance but says some aspects of the story need not have been shown.

The review finds the film an elegant gothic fable, powered by Kristen Stewart’s performance. It singles out Stewart as especially compelling in the role of Princess Diana.

Chang finds the film an artful, emotionally extravagant portrait of Diana rather than a conventional biopic. He especially praises Kristen Stewart’s compassionate, transformative performance, while noting that the Anne Boleyn metaphor is too ponderous.

The review finds the film an unusual, sometimes frustrating portrait of Diana. It singles out Kristen Stewart’s performance for praise.

The critic finds the film compelling in parts, though some of its familiar royal-household mechanics do not work. Kristen Stewart’s fragile, intimate portrayal of Diana is singled out as the film’s crowning achievement.

Hanson finds the film’s claustrophobic, horror-inflected portrayal of Diana compelling but sometimes exploitative of her mental-health struggles. He singles out Kristen Stewart’s empathetic performance as the film’s saving strength.

Rooney finds the film a sorrowful, genuinely disturbing portrait that retells a familiar story in a fresh light. He especially praises Kristen Stewart’s magnetic, heartbreakingly fragile performance.

Croll finds the film an unnerving, formally ambitious portrait whose repetitive fatalism can wear thin. He praises Kristen Stewart’s performance and highlights a beautifully acted scene with Sally Hawkins for bringing warmth and a change of pace.

Romney’s visible standfirst is positive about Stewart’s performance, but the full review is unavailable. He singles out the magnetism Stewart brings to the role of Princess Diana.

Freer finds the film bold and compassionate, though its emotional distance keeps it from being as moving as it should be. He singles out Kristen Stewart’s remarkable, humanizing performance as its greatest strength.

Lane finds the film gripping despite calling it unbalanced, unjust, and rife with invented accusations. He praises Pablo Larraín’s immersive focus on Diana’s anxious perspective and Kristen Stewart’s vivid performance.

The article text is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or criticism can be verified.

Dowd finds the film airless and unconvincing, arguing that Kristen Stewart’s performance reduces Diana to a caricature of frazzled nerves. He praises the film’s visual textures and Claire Mathon’s gauzy cinematography, while finding its dialogue and ideas overly spelled out.

The review finds the film haunting and heartbreaking, yet warmed by fleeting moments of hope. It especially praises Kristen Stewart’s raw, compelling performance as Diana.

The headline indicates a strongly positive verdict on the film. It singles out Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Diana for praise.

Hammond praises the film as a bracing, moving portrait of Diana and calls Kristen Stewart’s performance stunning. He especially singles out Stewart’s ability to convey Diana’s essence beyond her familiar public image.

The critic gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it good and predicting awards. Kristen Stewart’s performance is the standout, eclipsing the strong supporting cast.

The critic calls Spencer an inventive, iconoclastic portrait rather than a conventional biopic. They especially praise Kristen Stewart’s immersive, finely detailed performance as Diana.

The review finds the film a terrifying, oppressive portrait of Diana’s gilded-cage life, though its melodrama and fantasy depart from strict biography. It praises Kristen Stewart’s harrowing, finely judged performance and her convincing accent.

The review praises the film as a fresh, psychologically focused portrait of Diana. It particularly singles out Kristen Stewart’s performance and Jonny Greenwood’s magnificent score.

The review finds the film a feverish, deeply sad anti-royalist spectacle. It praises Larraín’s use of the royal residence as a disturbing horror setting that exposes how power traps Diana.

Siroky finds the film a fascinating, tragic portrait that benefits from expert restraint, though some dream sequences feel heavy-handed. She particularly praises Kristen Stewart’s nuanced and authentic portrayal of Diana.

The review finds the film visually beguiling but hollow, arguing that its style and portrayal of Diana flatten a nuanced story. It praises Claire Mathon’s cinematography, the costume design, and Jonny Greenwood’s score.

The critic finds the film entertaining and intelligent despite its lack of finesse and occasional obviousness. Stewart’s sympathetic, convincing portrayal of Diana is singled out as a particular strength.

The critic finds the film an ambitious, often compelling drama that also veers into silliness. Kristen Stewart’s layered performance and the film’s striking score and cinematography stand out, while its on-the-nose dialogue draws criticism.