Firebrand

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2:32

Firebrand

R

Released Jun 14, 2024

2h 0m

History

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

95 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Jude Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation's ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry's courtiers, suspecting she's sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation's radicals, including Katherine's childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.

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Critics Consensus

Divorced from the historical record with little to show for it, Firebrand is a period piece whose revisionist aims are at odds with its stultifying approach.

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Nicola Austin

Empire Magazine

Alicia Vikander gives a graceful performance and the lavish period production shines, but unfortunately this is more fizzle-out than fire-starter.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 30, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It’s that rarest of releases: a picture that would benefit immensely from being far more lurid and overblown. It’s no coincidence that the element that works best -- Law’s gloriously monstrous Henry.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 10, 2024

Full Review

Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Firebrand exceeds in capturing the way mundanity can slip so easily into terror; how a feast or a jest... can descend into hell at the turn of one man’s emotions.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 7, 2024

Full Review

Will Bjarnar

InSession Film

It’s a film so desperate to cram everyone and everything into its half-baked world that the result is about as close to nothing as a movie can be. You might say that the sanctity of the realm is looking rather dire.

Rated: C-

Feb 26, 2025

Full Review

Roger Salvans

Fotogramas

A drama of palace intrigues and a thriller with the kind of explosions typical of horror films, Firebrand seduces with its impeccable staging...But it is the explosions of Jude Law's Henry...that capture the viewer. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Feb 21, 2025

Full Review

Randy Meeks

Espinof

...although it is curious at times, [Firebrand] becomes insipid, especially as the end approaches, and the political thriller is watered down until nothing remains of it, leaving the plots and intentions half-hearted. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Feb 21, 2025

Full Review

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Richard S

Excellent historical drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/24

Full Review

Louis F

Great, even if somewhat depressing. Great acting. We are wondering if we will see the actress playing Elizabeth is a follow-up movie about her early reign.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Abby Pfaffman

Fascinating story, wonderful cinematography, and excellent performances.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/24

Full Review

Dixie

A less known tale of an important character from the Tudor years, with some overt license by the director, but very closely sticking to history.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Helen

I liked the movie however they always take creative license and change parts of the movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

Heather Allyn N

excellent acting, great pacing and wonderful intensity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

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Karim Aïnouz

Director

Alicia Vikander

Katherine Parr

Jude Law

Henry VIII

Sam Riley

Thomas Seymour

Eddie Marsan

Edward Seymour

Erin Doherty

Anne Askew

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Firebrand: Trailer 1

2:32

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Synopsis

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Jude Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation's ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry's courtiers, suspecting she's sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation's radicals, including Katherine's childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.

Director: Karim Aïnouz
Producer: Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Gabrielle Tana
Screenwriter: Jessica Ashworth, Henrietta Ashworth, Elizabeth Fremantle, Jessica Ashworth, Henrietta Ashworth, Rosanne Flynn
Distributor: Roadside Attractions / Vertical
Production Co: Brouhaha Entertainment
Rating: R (Sexuality/Nudity|Brief Gore|Some Violent Content)
Genre: History, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $520.5K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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