Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots has built a devoted audience in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and BINGE, and in the UK on Disney Plus among viewers who want their drama to earn its emotional beats. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 1,954 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Saoirse Ronan's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Amazon Prime Video.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Mary Queen of Scots is worth clearing space for. Mary Queen of Scots takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie lead a cast that treats the material with real seriousness. It hit screens in 2018. The performances in Mary Queen of Scots do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Mary Queen of Scots. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Saoirse Ronan's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.