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Historical drama

Spencer (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Spencer (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$25.2M
award nominations
4
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Spencer (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Pablo Larraín
Genres
Drama , History
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
Budget
$18M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Spencer

· 6 more
From the director

More from Pablo Larraín

More films directed by Pablo Larraín, best-rated first: No, Neruda, Maria and Jackie.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

71 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$25.2M

1.4× its budget

US & Canada
$7.1M
International
$18.2M
Budget
$18M
US & Canada 28% Rest of the world 72%
Awards

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

Videos

Spencer Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer, 4 teasers, 1 clip and 5 featurettes.

All 11 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
  • Teaser On Digital Now
  • Teaser 'Currency'
  • Teaser 'Perfect Day'
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Princess Diana in 'Spencer'?

Cars

Cars in Spencer

25 cars on screen, including the 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III and the 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabrio 964.

All 25 cars
  • 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III in Spencer 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III Important role
  • 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabrio 964 in Spencer 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabrio 964 Important role
  • 1961 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa Station Wagon in Spencer 1961 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa Station Wagon Minor role
  • 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III in Spencer 1982 Land-Rover 88'' Series III Minor role
Details

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
  • Спенсер: Таємниця принцеси Діани
  • 史賓賽, სპენსერი
  • スペンサー ダイアナの決意
  • اسپنسر

Seen Spencer?

FAQ

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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