Lady Macbeth

Director: William Oldroyd
Screenwriters: Alice Birch

Institute History

  • 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Swiftly emerging from the pack as a true breakout discovery of the Toronto International Film Festival, the stunning feature debut from theater director William Oldroyd (whose short film Best played at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival) firmly declares the presence of a singular filmmaking voice.

Strictly confined to her absentee husband's gothic estate in 1865 England's countryside, young Lady Katherine has been trapped in a loveless marriage of convenience. Imprisoned by the harsh tongue and severe scrutiny of her father-in-law, a steely fire of determination burns within her. When a brutish new servant ensnares her interest, their lascivious affair tears down the status quo, awakening a murderous desire to break free of her chains and inflict vengeance, no matter the price.

Swirling around the absolutely mesmerizing performance of the steely-eyed Florence Pugh in the title role, this fiery adaptation by Oldroyd and screenwriter Alice Birch (based on Nikolai Leskov's novel) invokes a masterful command of tonal control and breathtaking beauty, whose every frame feels utterly alive.

— L.Z.

Screening Details

Credits

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