Our take
If you’ve been paying close attention to Royal Families in general, then get a snack and settle in, because A Royal Affair’s got it all for you: the steamy scenes, dirty, affair-laden hands, the corsets, and a stunning backdrop of 18th Century Europe. Quite literally deranged and mentally incapable King Christian of Denmark (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard) marries the brave Princess Caroline of Great Britain (Alicia Vikander), only to find out that he isn’t cut out for the wedded life. Enlightenment comes in the form of Dr. Johann Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen), a German physician to the infantile King and true-born reformer. Mostly saddened by her unfortunate fate, the now-Queen Caroline finds herself falling in love with the intellectual; thus, beginning a whirlwind of events that shakes up the entire Kingdom.
Streaming arrival
What it won
Oscars
1 nom
Berlin
3 wins
Golden Globes
1 nom
European Film Awards
2 noms
César Awards
1 nom
The story
A young queen falls in love with her physician, and they start a revolution that changes their nation forever.
Elsewhere
"Gripping, smart, well-acted - everything you want in a period drama."
— Sophie Ivan
The details
Who picked it
Christina Hale is a contributing writer at A Good Movie to Watch, focused on highlighting overlooked films and shows across the major streaming platforms. Her reviews emphasize craft and storytelling over algorithmic popularity.
I absolutely love this film. It’s so well done and incredibly sad. You find yourself wishing it might turn out differently, but it just can’t it seems.