This film is part of Rentals
Lady Macbeth
Florence Pugh shines in this exceptional British debut of a young wife's need for freedom, whatever the cost.
Period drama 2016 89 mins
Director: William Oldroyd
Overview
Debut director William Oldroyd and writer Alice Birch move from theatre to film with an ingeniously realised adaptation of an 1865 Russian novella. Katherine (Florence Pugh) is a young bride, unhappily married to the nasty son of a wealthy mine owner. Unable to consummate his marriage, the husband is sadistic, refusing to even allow his young wife out of the house. Left alone when her husband is called away on business, Katherine starts to explore the grounds and initiates a passionate affair with earthy, ill-mannered stable-hand Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis), while her increasingly concerned maid (rising star Naomi Ackie) watches on.
Lady Macbeth has grand ambitions, and exudes a rare vision and talent. Proving her knockout turn in The Falling was no fluke, Pugh amazes as a heroine whose behaviour shifts from steely proud to wild-eyed and deranged. Lady Macbeth was made with the support of the BFI using funds from the National Lottery.
very strong language, strong sex, violenceAccessibility
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