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Spencer

Spencer

Every fairy tale ends.

2021117 minRMidcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Director
Pablo Larraín
Starring
Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielen, Freddie Spry

During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Spencer?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Spencer to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Spencer?

Spencer earns 10 badges, led by Awards magnet and Standout acting.

Show 2 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Spencer worth watching?

Spencer's Midcredits score is the 68th percentile of all films, from 513K ratings across 6 sources. 55% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

68th percentile

Better received than 68% of films

49th percentile among Biography69th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)75th
Approval (how many liked it)59th

69 /100

75th percentile of all films

64th percentile among Biography74th percentile among 2020s

Critics 76 · Audience 68

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

55% liked it

59th percentile of all films

35th percentile among Biography60th percentile among 2020s
55% rated it 7–1045% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 52%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 28 wins / 71 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

98th percentile

513K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Biography98th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$18M
Opening weekend$2.1M
Domestic gross$7.1M
Worldwide gross$25M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a technically accomplished, deliberately unsettling character study anchored by Kristen Stewart's committed central performance.

Fans praised

  • Kristen Stewart's transformative performance as Diana
  • Horror-movie framing device for Diana's psychological state
  • Atmospheric cinematography and jazz-infused score

Detractors panned

  • Repetitive and heavy-handed symbolism
  • Thin plot lacking narrative momentum
  • Requires extensive prior knowledge of Diana's story to follow

What stands out

ActingDivisive88

Stewart's performance is near-universally praised

AtmosphereDivisive82

Haunting, claustrophobic horror-like tone

CinematographyDivisive78

Beautiful but sometimes distancing framing

Sound and musicDivisive76

Jazz infusions and chamber music score

Emotional impactDivisive70

Heartbreaking for some; alienating for others

CharactersDivisive65

Diana's internal demons are central but supporting cast underused

DialogueDivisive55

Sparse dialogue but occasional memorable lines

Plot and storyDivisive45

Thin three-day structure with repetitive incident

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 24 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 25 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 12 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is Spencer like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and uplifting: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be moved and come out lifted.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and uplifting.

Moods
TenseMelancholicCathartic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Dreamlike · 2% of films: Logic gives way to atmosphere and association.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays the material absolutely straight, treating Diana's psychological ordeal with unflinching intensity and occasional surrealism.
The rideA sustained atmosphere of psychological pressure, loneliness, and dread that only begins to loosen at the very end, but the emotional weight is constant.
StructureThe story unfolds over three consecutive days (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day), following a linear progression with flashbacks and dream sequences.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulCathartic · 6% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's crushing tension lifts in its final act, leaving a sense of hard-won hope and liberation.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% (this title) · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Liberation: Breaking free of a confining life (Room).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeDiana's three-day ordeal at Sandringham is an internal struggle for selfhood, culminating in her decision to walk away from the royal family and reclaim her identity.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsIdentity · 14% of filmsFreedom · 5% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Diana's struggle to hold onto her own value and sense of self against a system and marriage that diminish her.
StanceThe film mourns what the royal system and a loveless marriage have taken from Diana — her self-worth, her freedom — while affirming her fight to reclaim them.

The world

Late 20th centuryRuralDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral modernAmbientForeground music · original score · Jonny Greenwood
SettingSandringham estate in Norfolk and its grounds, Christmas 1991
MusicGreenwood's score blends jazz and dissonant strings to mirror Diana's fractured psychological state.

Content guide

Is Spencer okay for kids?

R

Spencer is rated R: “Rated R for some language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (32/100), sexual content at mild (29/100), language at moderate (46/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (24/100) and frightening material at moderate (58/100). Overall it is heavier than 6% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 26 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France16
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Belgium16
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary16
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporePG13
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan0+
  • TH13+
  • Türkiye10+
  • UA12+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 29% of all filmsHeavier than 6% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 13%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 23%
Profanity
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 18%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 9%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 42%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 42% of R-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Spencer have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Spencer?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Kristen Stewart
as Diana
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Timothy Spall
as Major Alistair Gregory
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Jack Nielen
as William
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Freddie Spry
as Harry
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jack Farthing
as Charles
Sean Harris
as Darren
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Stella Gonet
as The Queen
Richard Sammel
as Prince Philip
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Elizabeth Berrington
as Princess Anne
Lore Stefanek
as Queen Mother

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Spencer?

Movies like Spencer include The Queen (2006), Locke (2013) and Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026). Of the 10 closest matches, two are films written by Steven Knight, and several are chamber dramas.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Spencer?

753 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: royalty. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.