Anonymous

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Anonymous

PG-13

Released Nov 4, 2011

2h 10m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

47%

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174 Reviews

53%

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10,000+ Ratings

As royal troops set fire to the Globe Theatre, Elizabethan-era playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) is tortured by Robert Cecil (Edward Hogg), who demands to know if Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), is the true author of the writings attributed to William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall). Flashbacks reveal Oxford's passionate affair with Queen Elizabeth I and how -- in his younger days -- Oxford charmed her with plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream.

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Critics Consensus

Roland Emmerich delivers his trademark visual and emotional bombast, but the more Anonymous stops and tries to convince the audience of its half-baked theory, the less convincing it becomes.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This is a stupid person's idea of what a clever film might be and, although I adore Ifans, not even he can save it.

Aug 31, 2018

Full Review

Judith Newmark

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Will Shakespeare, whose words shine on, bright and brave, Is turning o'er with laughter in his grave.

Rated: 1/4

Nov 4, 2011

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

The film presents an interesting argument, but didn't entirely convince me.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 3, 2011

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Few will walk away from Anonymous convinced of its historical legitimacy, yet interests will be piqued, perhaps inspiring some to read up on the subject from more credible sources.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 6, 2023

Full Review

Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

This is a clever concoction for those who enjoy an enduring mystery.

Aug 18, 2022

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

"Anonymous," while not coming close to being convincing that "Willy the Shake" was a fake, gives one pause regarding the subject matter, in addition to being quite a fun movie.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 13, 2022

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Dead L

This has to be one of the most underrated movies ever. Bought my first copy of it at the dollar store 😂. Watched it so many times it wouldn't play anymore. Took me a minute to find another one. Makes one think. Mark Rylance is fantastic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

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Bulgantamir B

The director is a good person with experience

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

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Бавуу Э

As royal troops set fire to the Globe Theatre, Elizabethan-era playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) is tortured by Robert Cecil (Edward Hogg), who demands to know if Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), is the true author of the writings attributed to William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall). Flashbacks reveal Oxford's passionate affair with Queen Elizabeth I and how -- in his younger days -- Oxford charmed her with plays like "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

Full Review

Bahad j

In my opinion, I felt that the movie was very good, behind all this, the filmmaker was able to come up with the right festive details to congratulate the members of the behind-the-scenes team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

Full Review

R C

Preposterous - but I kept watching! The good acting, coherent (by it's own lights) storyline and lush production values were deserving of more than this absurd conspiracy theory. Correction: conspiracy theories in the plural. At least it was value for money in presenting us with a quite startling array of daft historical improbabilities.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/07/24

Full Review

David J

A richly informed presentation of the Oxford theory, executed impeccably. After seeing this I fell into the Oxford vs Shaksper YouTube rabbit hole for a year and climbed out with a 90% certainty that Oxford was...is...the author of the Shakespeare cannon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

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Roland Emmerich

Director

Rhys Ifans

Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford

Vanessa Redgrave

Queen Elizabeth I

Joely Richardson

Young Queen Elizabeth I

David Thewlis

William Cecil

Xavier Samuel

Earl of Southampton

Lady Jane

56%

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Synopsis

As royal troops set fire to the Globe Theatre, Elizabethan-era playwright Ben Jonson (Sebastian Armesto) is tortured by Robert Cecil (Edward Hogg), who demands to know if Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford (Rhys Ifans), is the true author of the writings attributed to William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall). Flashbacks reveal Oxford's passionate affair with Queen Elizabeth I and how -- in his younger days -- Oxford charmed her with plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Director: Roland Emmerich
Producer: Roland Emmerich, Larry J. Franco, Robert Leger
Screenwriter: John Orloff
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Centropolis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Sexual Content)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 4, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.5M
Runtime: 2h 10m

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