The Tragedy of Macbeth

Name: The Tragedy of Macbeth
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller, War
Released: December 25, 2021
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Alex Hassell, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Thompson, Corey Hawkins, Denzel Washington

2021

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 49 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 117 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 117 Ratings

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The Tragedy Of Macbeth

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: December 25, 2021 | R

Starring: Alex Hassell, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Thompson, Corey Hawkins, Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Harry Melling, Miles Anderson, Ralph Ineson, Sean Patrick Thomas

Movie Facts:

Streams on Apple TV+ beginning January 14, 2022.

Summary: A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland, and his ambitious wife supports him in his plans of seizing power.

Director: Joel Coen

Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Martin Carr

Jan 18, 2022

This is acting at its purest, designed to communicate and enlighten an audience in search of answers. Either through visual and verbal dexterity, or blood-curdling physicality and audible androgyny, this play still has much to teach people about the power of cinema. Read full review

100

Dave Calhoun

Sep 27, 2021

It’s a visual feast that’s served with enormous respect for the essence of Shakespeare’s words, even though Coen has shaved the text so that it moves at a furious pace, with a sudden slap of an ending that feels entirely fitting. It’s a creepy, bone-shaking triumph. Read full review

Justin Chang

Dec 23, 2021

The Tragedy of Macbeth is an immaculate vision: coldly efficient, aesthetically faultless, splendidly acted. I do wish it had a bit more blood in it. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Dec 23, 2021

Stripping “Macbeth” for parts, keeping the focus on the main narrative lines of political assassination and what Macbeth himself refers to as “supernatural soliciting,” Coen turns out to be ideally suited to a straight-ahead, let’s-get-on-with-it rendition. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Sep 24, 2021

Coen’s version of Macbeth is a canny, fascinating hybrid of a theatrical sensibility and a cinematic translation, shot in ghostly monochrome. Read full review

The Independent Clarisse Loughrey

Dec 23, 2021

McDormand carves out a little space for anger, though underplaying her performance so early on gives her further to leap when Lady Macbeth must succumb to her eventual madness. But, if anything, it only adds to the terrible weight of inevitability that hovers over Coen’s film. Read full review

Richard Brody

Jan 3, 2022

The over-all effect is of a striving toward a high style that isn’t achieved—and that undercuts the mighty import of the play. Read full review

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User Reviews

mohdfahad

Jan 14, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. FRANCES McDORMAND has unsurprisingly given the BEST PERFORMANCE of the year!!!… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

AJ_13

Feb 7, 2022

I did not expect to enjoy this one that much. Joel does a nice job adapting Shakespeare's original script, equally captivating and ununderstandable. The crafts are amazing and I doubt I could have liked this more than actually I have.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JLuis_001

Jan 12, 2022

The first film Joel Coen has directed without his brother Ethan since 2003's Intolerable Cruelty, it's a film that feels very different from anything they've been making together.

Shot in a sober and elegant black and white that gives it an aura of film noir, The Tragedy of Macbeth is aThe first film Joel Coen has directed without his brother Ethan since 2003's Intolerable Cruelty, it's a film that feels very different from anything they've been making together.

Shot in a sober and elegant black and white that gives it an aura of film noir, The Tragedy of Macbeth is a taciturn interpretation of the legendary Shakespeare's play that respects the feeling of watching a stage performance, attentive to its origins and yet is an excellent piece of filmmaking.

The pairing of Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand didn't quite convince me, but the work of both is impeccable. Above all and by far Washington's.

It may not appeal to purists of the source material, and I do believe that those who expect something a lot more exciting will be bored out of their minds, but if you're the kind of moviegoer who likes a film that completely grabs you as you slowly digest it, then The Tragedy of Macbeth is definitely for you.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ekang3

Feb 6, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is characterized by its strong cast of actors and stark yet stunning visuals. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand’s performances as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are the highlights of the movie, portraying their characters with passion and accuracy. The movie’s acting is enough to stand out by itself, but the gray backgrounds and black and white style of the movie also contribute to this movie’s dramatic and dialogue-focused spirit. While the black and white visuals of the movie are a unique choice, they match the dark and sinister themes that are present in William Shakespeare’s play. Through its dark aesthetic and focus on dialogue, The Tragedy of Macbeth stays true to the feel and language of the actual play, but this also contributes to its flaws. The language in Shakespeare’s play does not translate well to the big screen, as I became lost in the shell of the English language that is used in the movie, which made it hard to understand what the characters were saying until I started reading the subtitles. The bland background also made the movie seem boring at times, especially before Macbeth’s castle was raided and during moments of lengthy dialogue that would most likely be unintelligible to anyone unfamiliar with Macbeth and Shakespeare’s language in general. Due to the black and white nature of the movie, the mood feels dreary throughout, even in moments that should be happier, such as when Malcolm is crowned as king. The combination of confusing language and black and white filming can make The Tragedy of Macbeth feel incomprehensible and drab at times, especially to people unaccustomed to Shakespeare’s writing, but to people who understand the original play, the movie may feel authentic and well-executed. Amazing performances from Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand easily resonated with me, as even though I couldn’t exactly understand what they were saying, I could feel what they were saying. Opinions on this movie may vary, but the award garnering acting and authenticity to the original play make this a good, but not great, movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

migdalorguy

Jan 16, 2022

As a film, this is a brillaint creation, with some truly stunning acting, and clever visual imagery. However, no truer statement could be said ither than that which the film itself says, that is it "based on" the play by William Shakespeare. It is NOT "the play" by William Shakespeare. ItAs a film, this is a brillaint creation, with some truly stunning acting, and clever visual imagery. However, no truer statement could be said ither than that which the film itself says, that is it "based on" the play by William Shakespeare. It is NOT "the play" by William Shakespeare. It does an incredible job of telling the story as understood and interpreted by Joel Coen, which can be said of many productions of Shakespeare on stage and on film. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. The only place it fails for me is in this: Shakespeares plays, even the tragedies, were written to be "entertainments." It is possible to convey even the heaviest elements of the depp and drak story line of this and other Shakespeare tragedies while allow them to remain entertainments. It seems as Coen has determined to do just the opposite, and create this brooding, melancholy (though cinematically powerful) film. 'Tis a shame, for the true challenge in moiunting a stage or film production of this play and other Shakespearean tragediues is in finding how to keep them "entertainments" while simultaneously conveying the philosophies and observation about the human condition woven into these fine plays. Go see it or stream it—it is fine filmmaking and even fine Shakespearean interpretation. It is not, however, Shakespearean fare.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

rdzwirn

Feb 4, 2022

The Tragedies of Macbeth

A new adaption of Macbeth is going to have incredibly high expectations, especially one with Joel Coen as director and award-winning actors. Coen created an eerie new world of Macbeth through making a complete black and white film. Color in a film is helpful toThe Tragedies of Macbeth

A new adaption of Macbeth is going to have incredibly high expectations, especially one with Joel Coen as director and award-winning actors. Coen created an eerie new world of Macbeth through making a complete black and white film. Color in a film is helpful to differentiate between different characters, emotions and overall scenery. It can also highlight symbolism. I understand the idea of using black and white to further symbolize differences between light and darkness, but it made the film more confusing. Due to the lack of color in this film, I often felt overwhelmed and confused about what was happening, despite having read the play. This artistic choice makes me think that this film would be difficult for a newcomer to Macbeth to enjoy and understand fully. I think many people would be turned away from watching this film if they did not have prior experience with Macbeth. Does Coen not want future generations to experience the story of Macbeth? If I had not read the play recently, the language would be even more difficult to understand on screen. The actors tended to perform their lines with a very monotone delivery which made the language even more difficult to understand (I’m looking at you, Denzel Washington!) However, some performances stood out- particularly Kathryn Hunter as the witch. She contorts herself in one scene and becomes extremely creepy in another. I think her performance was the best in the film, even compared to Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Overall, I give this film a C due to the confusing artistic choices that made watching it difficult and unenjoyable.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

enut_butter

Jan 16, 2022

Woke, pandering and tedious. The Coen’s continue their losing trend. An absolute chore to endure.

6 of 16 users found this helpful610

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24	#24 Best Movie of 2021
84	#84 Most Discussed Movie of 2021