Spencer, the critically acclaimed 2021 psychological drama about one of the most turbulent periods of Princess Diana’s life, is now available on Netflix.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, the film offers a haunting yet intimate portrait of the late Princess of Wales during the Christmas of 1991, a pivotal time when she contemplated leaving Prince Charles and breaking away from the British Royal Family.
Kristen Stewart stars as Diana, delivering a mesmerizing performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Jack Farthing plays Prince Charles, while young actors Jack Nielen and Freddie Spry take on the roles of Princes William and Harry.
Spencer is not a conventional retelling of Diana’s life but rather a psychological exploration of her mental state during those tense and isolated few days at Sandringham House.
At the heart of Spencer lies Diana’s struggle with her royal identity and the oppressive traditions that surround her. Larraín presents her as a modern-day Anne Boleyn, a fellow royal wife who was similarly isolated and discarded by her powerful husband.
Hallucinations of Boleyn plague Diana throughout the film, symbolizing her growing sense of entrapment and the dangerous pressures placed on her.
Kristen Stewart’s portrayal has been widely praised for capturing both the vulnerability and strength of Diana without relying on imitation.
Even former royal staff, including Diana’s former personal protection officer Ken Wharfe, called Stewart’s performance one of the most accurate portrayals of the princess.
“Out of all the people who have played Diana over the past 10 years, she’s the closest to her. She managed to perfect her mannerisms”, he commented.
Former Royal Chef Darren McGrady, who was portrayed by actor Sean Harris in the film, said, “the happy scenes of her with the boys, it was like her coming alive again. For real, Kristen Stewart played an amazing part.”
Spencer is now available for streaming on Netflix.