The Kingmaker

Name: The Kingmaker
Genre: Documentary
Released: November 8, 2019
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Andres Bautista, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Imee Marcos, Imelda Marcos

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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The Kingmaker

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Movie Details & Credits

Evergreen Pictures | Release Date: November 8, 2019 | R

Starring: Andres Bautista, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Imee Marcos, Imelda Marcos

Summary: Centred on the indomitable character of Imelda Marcos, The Kingmaker examines, with intimate access, the Marcos family’s improbable return to power in the Philippines. The film explores the disturbing legacy of the Marcos regime and chronicles Imelda’s present-day push to help her son, Bongbong, win the vice-presidency. To this end, ImeldaCentred on the indomitable character of Imelda Marcos, The Kingmaker examines, with intimate access, the Marcos family’s improbable return to power in the Philippines. The film explores the disturbing legacy of the Marcos regime and chronicles Imelda’s present-day push to help her son, Bongbong, win the vice-presidency. To this end, Imelda confidently rewrites her family’s history of corruption, replacing it with a narrative of a matriarch’s extravagant love for her country.… Expand

Director: Lauren Greenfield

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Dec 12, 2019

Lauren Greenfield’s film about the Philippines’ former first lady Imelda Marcos reveals a grotesquely self-pitying, wholly unrepentant and very rich woman. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Nov 8, 2019

Intercutting interviews with Marcos and her son with archival footage and other experts on the Marcos regime, Greenfield has put together her best film yet. Read full review

Justin Chang

Nov 7, 2019

The Kingmaker may end on a queasy note of alarm about the Philippines’ future, but it also reminds us that we neglect the past at our peril. Read full review

The Playlist Chris Barsanti

Nov 7, 2019

Maybe Marcos imagined this documentary would humanize her. Greenfield did. But not in the way that her subject would have preferred. Read full review

David Fear

Nov 9, 2019

It’s a documentary that starts as a nonfiction portrait and ends as a horror movie. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Sep 14, 2019

An engaging, appalling but inevitably partial portrait of a woman who has navigated through countless political and personal squalls but remains irretrievably drawn to the flame of power. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Simran Hans

Jan 7, 2020

More than 70 civil and criminal charges have been lodged against the family. Marcos flaunted her wealth while her country’s living standards plummeted, and Greenfield’s portrait is damning. Read full review

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User Reviews

FN63R

Mar 19, 2022

After hearing Imelda Marcos talk with certain statements, I paused the movie to briefly look up some historical facts. After continuing to play the movie, I now cannot unsee the massive red nose on Imelda's nose. Great movie if you can overlook that glaring issue.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bobinvenice

Sep 5, 2020

Be gone Marcos trolls!!....THE KINGMAKER is yet another Greenfield masteriece.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

pinkmachismo

Aug 30, 2020

It looks like the trolls got here to give this eye-opening film negative reviews. Such is the power of the Marcos brand, which has been passed on to the Duterte regime.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

carlossolrac

May 2, 2022

Bongbong is about to take the throne in real life so this movie should be watched by everyone who doesn't consider themselves a Manilla folder.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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