If you’ve spent any time at all reading our film coverage, you probably have guessed that we stan Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, whose bleak and utterly hilarious fables captivate us in an uncommon way. His last film, The Killing of a Sacred Deer just narrowly missed being on our Top 10 list for 2017 — through no fault of its own, there were just a lot of great movies released last year! — and it looks like we won’t have to wait another two years to get our next taste of his work. The trailer for his next release, The Favourite, dropped today, and it might not be what you’re expecting.
Take a look:
So yeah, that’s one hell of an interesting teaser: Short, of course, but why let the surprises of a film like this be revealed to you in the marketing? We’re pumped to see Lanthimos working in a period setting, as we’re sure he’ll bring his trademarked brand of literary insanity to the 18th Century English court. That cast, too — it’s always a delight to see Stone or Weisz in anything as well.
Here’s a synopsis that’s actually a delight to read:
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
The Favourite hits theaters on November 23.
Featured image via Fox Searchlight.