Spencer Review: Kristen Stewart Shines In Trippy Take On Princess Diana

Although we are in the middle of fall, another season is coming: awards season. Moviegoers are sure to be treated to some great films in the months ahead, with all of them competing for nominating. Pablo Larraín's Spencer is certainly in the mix among them, with Kristen Stewart's performance as Princess Diana making waves at the fall festivals. Stewart is certainly in the spotlight, given the way she can disappear into the role as the icon.

Spencer's marriage to Jack Farthing is in jeopardy. Kristen Stewart's Diana, a princess of the Queen's Sandringham Estate celebrates Christmas with Prince Charles. Her marriage to Prince Charles (Jack Farthing), is in peril and tension, so we see as Diana tries to survive for just a few more days with the highly respected in-laws .

Spencer does not appear to be unrealistic.

The title card serves as a warning for the audience. The film's name "a tale of a true tragedy" confirms from the beginning that this is not the real story. This allows director Pablo Larraín to leave realism behind, and elevate moments when the storytelling calls for it. It's a fascinating runtime of 111 minutes, from beginning to ending.

Spencer is intensely focused on Kristen Stewart's title character. He is featured in every scene. But early in the film Pablo Larraín also establishes Diana as an unreliable narrator. Her paranoia is a part of the fabric of the movie, and Larraín uses these devices to put the audience in that same sense of disorientation.

A common element in Spencer's tale is the visions of Anne Boleyn, (Amy Manson). Kristen Stewart's Princess Diana spends her time at Sandringham Estate. This is where she identifies as King Henry's second-wife, who was notoriously executed because of scandal. Boleyn makes several appearances to her throughout the movie. This helps remind viewers that they don't have to believe everything shown to them.

Kristen Stewart is truly a ghost as Princess Diana.

Kristen Stewart was a big actress who had to replace Spencer. This is especially true for an American with some separation from the U.K. Royal Family. However, she rises to the occasion especially in the face of Spencer's unique accent. Stewart is able to blend her unique accent with Jacqueline Durran’s exquisite costume design into a role that feels effortless.

Kristen Stewart appears in Spencer's almost all scenes. She has to manage the movie's pace so that Spencer's fury builds throughout. Stewart's performance is excellent because of this. The movie allows us to see every slight Diana makes, and the actress plays her complicated character with incredible subtlety

Kristen Stewart started out as an actress in children's movies and was a Twilight star. But her performance in Spencer is a testament to how far she has come. Although there are many films adapting her princess story, Diana will be remembered by cinema historians.

Kristen Stewart is truly a ghost as Princess Diana.

Kristen Stewart was a big actress who had to replace Spencer. This is especially true for an American with some separation from the U.K. Royal Family. However, she rises to the occasion especially in the face of Spencer's unique accent. Stewart is able to blend her unique accent with Jacqueline Durran’s exquisite costume design into a role that feels effortless.

Kristen Stewart appears in Spencer's almost all scenes. She has to manage the movie's pace so that Spencer's fury builds throughout. Stewart's performance is excellent because of this. The movie allows us to see every slight Diana makes, and the actress plays her complicated character with incredible subtlety

Kristen Stewart started out as an actress in children's movies and was a Twilight star. But her performance in Spencer is a testament to how far she has come. Although there are many films adapting her princess story, Diana will be forever remembered by cinema historians.