Netflix has just added an 'incredibly haunting' movie which features an Oscar nominated performance by Kristen Stewart.
While the actress is most well known for her breakout role in the Twilight films, she gave a star turn in 2021 release Spencer. The title has just now been added to the major streaming platform's library for subscribers to view from today (February 8).
In the film, Stewart takes on the perhaps intimidating part of playing Princess Diana, in a tumultuous time in the young Royal's life.
The film was directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain who has focused more than one of his features on well known figures during significant times in their life. He helmed Jackie, which follows the wife President John F Kennedy in the days following his assassination. Larrain also made Maria, which follows famed opera singer Maria Callas as she retreats to Paris in the 1970s.
Spencer's synopsis states that it is set in 1991 and focuses on Princess Diana as she attempts to bring in the Christmas festivities. However, she fails to conform to the pressures of royal tradition. Moreover, the knowledge of her husband's affair accentuates a mental breakdown.
While it is publicly known that Diana did attend Sandringham for Christmas that year and it is believed to have been a meaningful time in her life personally, the film is a fictitious take on what might have happened.
Response to the film was mostly positive with it achieving an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and film fans alike were in agreement with the performance of Kristin Stewart as Diana. Even former staff of the Royals noted the effectiveness of her portrayal.
Ken Wharfe, Diana's former bodyguard, told IndieWire: "Out of all the people who have played Diana over the past 10 years, she's the closest to her. She managed to perfect her mannerisms."
Stewart was nominated for an Oscar for her performance but she lost out to Jessica Chastain who won for her portrayal of real life American televangelist Tammy Faye, in the film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. However the reviewer for The Guardian at the time, said: "Kristen Stewart is note-perfect in this ghostly and inventive vision of Princess Diana fighting for her sanity."
Fans were also full of praise with one sharing online: "Kristen's performance is captivating and yet effortlessly sullen. She encompasses everything that envelopes Lady Spencer's mind so much so that you can't help but feel all the anguish and despair. The thriller-esque feel to the movie builds the dull pain that she feels day by day, somehow wrapped up into one fateful period. The score was hauntingly beautiful and mirrored her every emotion. I recommend more than one watch for this film to understand what the director was trying to display.
Another viewer who has seen the film said: "What an incredibly haunting and beautiful movie. I believe that many people were, unfortunately, expecting a biopic. However, it is clear that this film takes place throughout 3 days in Christmas (Prior to Diana's separation from Charles). Kristen Stewart portrayed Diana wonderfully during her lowest moments, all the way through her catharsis in the end (all the while showing what a caring and loving mother she was)."
Spencer is streaming on Netflix.
Netflix adds 'incredibly haunting' movie with Oscar nominated performance by Kristen Stewart – The Mirror US
