Having seen both of Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’ most recent films, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Favourite, a story chronicling the rivalry between Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) and her cousin, Abigail (Emma Stone), both of whom are vying to have the ear of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) and control of England during the War of the Spanish Succession.

So, colour me surprised when it dawned on me that the film wasn’t absurdist like The Lobster or a thriller like The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Yes, I know the film’s subject matter is historical in nature, but you just never know with Lanthimos, who throws curveballs in multiple directions. Lanthimos’ new affinity for the fisheye lens made me raise my eyebrows, but in general the cinematography and framing is excellent as always. The film is split into eight vignettes and titled with various lines of dialogue that are supposed to foreshadow, enlighten or humour. 

His trademark idiosyncratic dialogue is still present, and it’s as biting and hilarious as ever. At one point, Robert Harley (Nicholas Hoult) comments to Samuel Masham (Joe Alwyn), who is head-over-heels for Abigail, as “cunt-struck”. In another scene, Queen Anne demands a servant to look at her, only to immediately berate him for looking at her. Because the subject matter is far more straightforward – explain the plot of his two previous films in one sentence, I dare you – the dialogue seems much more accessible, where the gut punch comes from its word choice rather than imagery and deadpan delivery.

Period films about the aristocracy tend to be stiff and pretentious but there’s nothing like that here; Lady Sarah’s trash talk is Michael Jordan-esque, Abigail screams, wails and growls her way to the top of the food chain, and Queen Anne is unpredictable and mercurial. Of course, there’s the usual palace intrigue – secret things are done and said in darkly lit corners, and the usual extravagance of the rich, including a candlelit ball and a duck race, are all present – but it’s presented in such a Lanthimosian manner it’s equal parts funny and somewhat disturbing.

The three female leads are awesome, and they’re the clear driving forces of the film; I was immediately less interested when Sarah, Abigail or Anne weren’t on the screen. You leave the theatre wishing for a little bit more Weisz, Stone or Colman, and it would not be surprising at all to see all three get acting nominations. Stone, in particular, was a delight.

There is something missing from this film that vaults it to the top of the shortlist for Best Film. Best Original Screenplay, maybe, but it also depends on how well the rest of this year’s films. Perhaps it’s because Lanthimos’ film (once again) defies traditional genre categorization, or because it lacks sophistication in plot, or because the ending leaves a little to be desired.

The Favourite gets three and a half stars out of four.