Lady Macbeth (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Lady Macbeth is a 2017 drama directed by William Oldroyd, starring Christopher Fairbank, Florence Pugh and Paul Hilton. It is based on Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Nikolai Leskov and Robert Chandler. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $5.3 million worldwide. It earned 5 award nominations, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2018. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic. Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Director
- William Oldroyd
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Roadside Attractions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Lady Macbeth About?
The premise of Lady Macbeth without spoilers, adapted from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Nikolai Leskov and Robert Chandler. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 19th century England, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage finds herself yearning for autonomy and passion. Her stifling existence is ignited by a forbidden and intense love affair with a young man, challenging the rigid social conventions that have defined her life and threatening to shatter the established order of her world.
Where to Watch Lady Macbeth
Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 5
Lady Macbeth Cast
Christopher Fairbank leads the cast, with Florence Pugh and Paul Hilton. Directed by William Oldroyd; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director William Oldroyd
Also Starring in Lady Macbeth
· 6 moreLady Macbeth Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lady Macbeth 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Lady Macbeth Echo Score Breakdown
Lady Macbeth manifests a striking visual and emotional intensity balanced by a deliberately measured narrative pace. Critics and audiences alike note the director’s precise compositional choices and Pugh’s commanding performance, even as some find the plot drive uneven. The film’s sensory austerity and thematic boldness create a memorable atmosphere, though the slow buildup and restrained emotional arcs may limit its universal appeal. On balance, it stands as a compelling period drama with definite strengths.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits meticulous visual composition and period production design. The cinematography employs an understated color palette and deliberate framing that reinforce the bleak rural setting. Editing choices favor measured pacing and stark contrasts, heightening the tension. While a few narrative segments may feel static, the overall craftsmanship underscores the director’s control and elevates the film’s aesthetic coherence.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Florence Pugh’s performance delivers remarkable intensity and nuanced shifts in demeanor. The central portrayal conveys suppressed desire and inner turbulence through subtle gestures and piercing gazes. Some viewers note an emotional opacity that tempers narrative momentum, yet the protagonist’s arc from restraint to resolve remains credible. Overall, the film offers a character study marked by restrained but potent emotional currents.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with deliberate pacing and thematic boldness. The plot introduces psychological complexity and moral tension but occasionally sacrifices momentum for atmospheric build-up. Twists emerge logically but some scenes feel underdriven, leading to a somewhat uneven propulsion. Nevertheless, the integration of symbolism and narrative restraint sustains engagement, creating a storyline that is measured and occasionally provocative.
- Sensory Experience 80
When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s austere soundscape and sparse score heighten its tense atmosphere. The subdued musical choices and careful sound design accentuate moments of silence and underscore emotional beats. Visually, the stark rural landscapes and minimalist production palette contribute to an immersive yet restrained aesthetic. The cohesion of auditory and visual elements amplifies the film’s atmospheric power and bleak beauty.
- Rewatch Factor 60
When it comes to rewatch value, the film’s deliberate pacing and thematic subtlety may limit repeat viewings for some audiences. The nuanced character shifts and symbolic visuals reward close attention, yet the restrained emotional arcs and sparse dialogue can feel slow on subsequent viewings. While the atmospheric imagery retains potency, the measured narrative style may reduce its replay appeal for those seeking more overt dramatic changes.
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Rotten Tomatoes 89% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
81 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
Lady Macbeth Plot Summary
What happens in Lady Macbeth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1865, Katherine is trapped in a loveless marriage to an older man, Alexander Lester, and the couple reside at the estate of Alexander’s father, Boris, in a remote corner of rural Northumberland. Katherine is forced to cling to a rigid daily routine and is largely forbidden from leaving the house, a life that feels more like a cage than a home. Boris scolds her for not bearing a son, while Alexander’s own libido appears to be directed more at watching her naked body than at any real emotional connection. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, with power and control weighing heavily on Katherine as she navigates a household built on hierarchy and fear.
Full summary
The whole story of Lady Macbeth, scene by scene
Lady Macbeth Box Office
Lady Macbeth grossed $5.3 million worldwide. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $4.2 million (79%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$5.3M
- US & Canada
- $1.1M
- International
- $4.2M
Lady Macbeth Awards & Nominations
Lady Macbeth earned 5 award nominations, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2018. The 5 nominations come from 4 ceremonies, the most at the BAFTA 2018.
5 nominations4 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2018 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding British Film – William Oldroyd
- Nominated Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
-
Gaudí Awards 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Best European Film
-
Spirit Awards 2018 1 nomination- Nominated Best International Film
-
DGA Awards 2018 1 nomination- Nominated First-Time Feature Film – William Oldroyd
Lady Macbeth Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 3 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Australian Trailer
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Featurette 'Lady Macbeth' Q&A with William Oldroyd
- Featurette Subtext and Subjugation in Lady Macbeth
How Well Do You Know Lady Macbeth?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main female protagonist of the film?
Lady Macbeth Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Lēdija Makbeta” and “레이디 맥베스”.
- Also known as
-
- Lēdija Makbeta
- 레이디 맥베스
- Леди Макбет
- The Young Lady
- Леди Магбет
- Λαίδη Μακμπέθ
- Lady M.
- Лейди Макбет
- ליידי מקבת
- Леді Макбет
- Ledi Makbet
- 惡女馬克白
+3 more Show fewer
- 麦克白夫人
- 馬克白夫人的誘惑
- レディ・マクベス
Seen Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Lady Macbeth, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was Lady Macbeth released?
Lady Macbeth was released on July 14, 2017.
Who directed Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth was directed by William Oldroyd.
More films by William Oldroyd Who is in the cast of Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth stars Christopher Fairbank, Florence Pugh and Paul Hilton, among 10 credited actors.
Where can I watch Lady Macbeth?
In the US, Lady Macbeth is streaming on Fandango at Home Free, Kanopy and Lionsgate+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Lady Macbeth make at the box office?
Lady Macbeth grossed $5.3 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $4.2 million international).
How is Lady Macbeth rated?
Lady Macbeth has 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic, 66% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Is Lady Macbeth based on a book?
Yes. Lady Macbeth is adapted from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Nikolai Leskov and Robert Chandler.
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