Spencer (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Spencer is a 2021 historical drama directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Kristen Stewart as Diana, Richard Sammel and Jack Farthing. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $25.2 million worldwide on a $18 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Pablo Larraín
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Neon
- Budget
- $18M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Spencer About?
The premise of Spencer without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
During the Christmas holidays at Sandringham Estate, Princess Diana grapples with a failing marriage to Prince Charles. As the royal family gathers for festive celebrations, Diana finds herself increasingly isolated and confronts the complexities of her position within the institution. Facing strained relationships and rumors of infidelity, she experiences a pivotal moment that questions the traditions and expectations surrounding her royal role.
Spencer Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- christmas
- princess
- 1990s
- house
- singing along to music on a car radio
- singing in a car
- mother son relationship
- princess diana character
- british royal family
- queen elizabeth ii character
- prince charles character
- prince william character
+38 more Show fewer
- prince harry character
- unhappy marriage
- female protagonist
- revisionist history
- slice of life
- based on true story
- year 1991
- woman wears a yellow dress
- based on real people
- prince
- marriage
- mistress
- lack of privacy
- pageantry
- cheating husband
- scarecrow
- royalty
- character name as title
- barefoot female
- walk in refrigerator
- psychological drama
- historical drama
- reference to henry viii
- lady in waiting
- declaration of love
- self harm
- sandringham estate norfolk england
- childhood flashback
- chef
- dresser
- pearl necklace
- pheasant shooting
- press
- childhood home
- hallucination
- kentucky fried chicken
- reference to anne boleyn
- reference to les miserables the stage musical
Spencer Cast & Characters
Kristen Stewart leads the cast as Diana, with Richard Sammel as Prince Philip and Jack Farthing as Charles. Directed by Pablo Larraín; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Pablo Larraín
-
Kristen Stewart as Diana -
Richard Sammel as Prince Philip -
Jack Farthing as Charles -
Timothy Spall as Major Alistair Gregory
Also Starring in Spencer
· 6 more- Sean Harris Darren
- Sally Hawkins Maggie
- Amy Manson Anne Boleyn
- Michael Epp
- Ryan Wichert Staff Sergeant Wood
- Olga Hellsing
More from Pablo Larraín
More films directed by Pablo Larraín, best-rated first: No, Neruda, Maria and Jackie.
Spencer Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Spencer 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (89) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Spencer Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of the film as a whole, Spencer presents a divided picture, with widespread acclaim for Kristen Stewart’s central performance contrasting with criticism of its script and pacing. Critics and many viewers commend the nuanced acting and striking visual style, while others describe the narrative as uneven and the tone occasionally flat. The production’s artistic elements, such as cinematography and score, are generally praised. Consequently, the film lands in the mixed‑positive range, offering merit for some audiences but limited universal appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of cinematography and production design, Spencer excels in visual composition, employing a restrained color palette and carefully framed shots that evoke the early 1990s atmosphere. Critics note the work of Claire Mathon as masterful, and viewers highlight the detailed costumes and period sets as immersive. Minor criticisms target occasional static staging, yet the overall artistic craftsmanship is regarded as a strong component of the film.
- Character & Emotion 89
When evaluating character and emotional depth, Stewart’s portrayal dominates, delivering a layered, vulnerable embodiment of Diana that many critics describe as stunning and inspired. The performance’s subtle gestures and fluctuating cadence convey internal conflict, earning high praise across both professional and user reviews. Some audience members find the mannerisms repetitive, yet the consensus affirms the character work as the film’s principal strength.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of plot and narrative flow, Spencer’s story is uneven, interweaving factual moments with fictionalized episodes over a three‑day span. Critics acknowledge its ambitious deconstruction of Diana’s myth but also criticize the lack of coherent pacing and occasional melodramatic detours. Viewer feedback mirrors this split, with some praising the emotional intensity while others label the script idle and the structure disjointed.
- Sensory Experience 73
Regarding sound and visual experience, the film benefits from Jonny Greenwood’s atmospheric score and Claire Mathon’s cinematography, both cited as elevating tension and period authenticity. Critics and audience members alike commend the detailed sound design and the textured palette that underline emotional beats. A minority note occasional volume inconsistencies, but overall the sensory elements are regarded as a highlight.
- Rewatch Factor 55
The rewatch factor appears modest; while the film’s visual and auditory craftsmanship offers repeatable appeal, the fragmented narrative and repetitive performance choices limit its long‑term engagement. Some viewers express a desire to revisit the nuanced moments of Stewart’s acting, whereas others find the pacing and script fatigue reducing incentive for multiple viewings. Consequently, the film garners a moderate replay value.
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IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 83% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 52%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
2.1K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Spencer Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Spencer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
England, on Christmas Eve 1991, the British royal family is gearing up to celebrate the holiday season at the Queen’s Sandringham estate nestled in the picturesque countryside of Norfolk. Among the royal attendees is Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, portrayed by Kristen Stewart. Her marriage to Prince Charles, played by Jack Farthing, has significantly deteriorated due to his ongoing affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. As the extensive staff at Sandringham, under the skilled guidance of Timothy Spall as Major Alistair Gregory, prepare for the royal family’s arrival, Diana takes to the Norfolk countryside in her convertible sports car, grappling with the impending pressure and turmoil that approaches.
Full summary
The whole story of Spencer, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Spencer Box Office & Budget
Spencer grossed $25.2 million worldwide on a $18 million budget, 1.4 times what it cost. $7.1 million came from the US and Canada and $18.2 million (72%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$25.2M
1.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $7.1M
- International
- $18.2M
- Budget
- $18M
Spencer Awards & Nominations
Spencer was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 4 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2022.
4 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Critics' Choice 2022 2 nominations- Nominated Best Actress – Kristen Stewart
- Nominated Best Score
-
Golden Globes 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Kristen Stewart
-
Oscars 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Kristen Stewart
Spencer Trailers & Videos
11 videos: 1 trailer, 4 teasers, 1 clip and 5 featurettes.
- Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
- Teaser On Digital Now
- Teaser 'Currency'
- Teaser 'Perfect Day'
How Well Do You Know Spencer?
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 plays the role of Princess Diana in 'Spencer'?
Cars in Spencer
25 cars on screen, including the 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III and the 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabrio 964.
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1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III Important role -
1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabrio 964 Important role -
1961 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa Station Wagon Minor role -
1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III Minor role
Spencer Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “รักร้าว ไดอาน่า” and “英文系主任”.
- Also known as
-
- รักร้าว ไดอาน่า
- 英文系主任
- Spensere
- 스펜서
- 史賓沙
- سبينسر
- Спенсер
- ספנסר
- سبنسر
- 斯宾塞
- สเปนเซอร์
- Giáng Sinh Cuối Cùng
+4 more Show fewer
- Спенсер: Таємниця принцеси Діани
- 史賓賽, სპენსერი
- スペンサー ダイアナの決意
- اسپنسر
Seen Spencer?
Movies Like Spencer
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Diana, Diana: A Tribute to the People’s Princess and Diana’s Wedding.
-
Diana 2013 -
Diana: A Tribute to the People’s Princess 1998 -
Diana’s Wedding 2020 -
Diana & Me 1997 -
Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After 1992 -
Diana: Her True Story 1993 -
Spencer’s Mountain 1963 -
The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana 1982 -
The Queen 2006 -
Whatever Love Means 2005 -
The Duchess 2008 -
Diana and I 2017
Spencer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Spencer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Spencer?
Spencer runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Spencer released?
Spencer was released on November 5, 2021.
Who directed Spencer?
Spencer was directed by Pablo Larraín.
More films by Pablo Larraín Who is in the cast of Spencer?
Spencer stars Kristen Stewart as Diana, Richard Sammel as Prince Philip and Jack Farthing as Charles, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Spencer make at the box office?
Spencer grossed $25.2 million worldwide ($7.1 million domestic, $18.2 million international) on a budget of $18 million.
How is Spencer rated?
Spencer has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.
Was Spencer nominated for any awards?
Spencer received 4 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does Spencer have a post-credit scene?
No. Spencer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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