The Libertine

Play trailer

The Libertine

R

Released Nov 25, 2005

1h 54m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

121 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

John Wilmot (Johnny Depp), the egotistical second Earl of Rochester, leads an entirely debauched life. When not writing bawdy verse, Wilmot spends his time imbibing massive amounts of alcohol and bedding myriad women, including Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton). When King Charles II (John Malkovich) commissions him to write a play, he happily agrees. But after Wilmot foolishly uses his big break to skewer the crown, he must face a furious Charles -- and the real possibility of exile.

Watch on Peacock

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Despite Johnny Depp's zealous performance, muddled direction and murky cinematography hinder The Libertine.

Read Critics Reviews

Keith Phipps

AV Club

[Director] Dunmore creates a memorably grimy London, but the moral grime covering the film proves less memorable.

Rated: D+

Nov 27, 2006

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

I enjoyed it - or much of it - for reasons that have everything to do with Johnny Depp.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 1, 2006

Full Review

Sam Toy

Empire Magazine

The story, like the cinematography, is overly foggy and under-illuminated.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Despite its many flaws, The Libertine is a film worth watching, if only for the restorative talents of [Johnny] Depp and [John] Malkovich.

Nov 14, 2019

Full Review

Dave White

Movies.com

Big dull drag of a movie.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 4, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Starnes

ComingSoon.net

Slightly pretentious, but original enough to be a bit interesting, and buoyed by strong performances from Depp and Morton, The Libertine is a decent telling of a historical footnote, most interesting because of its strong feminist message.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 29, 2011

Full Review

Read all reviews

Kyle M

The directorially intended aesthetics here are impressive in attempt to refine a period drama’s apparatus whilst mostly relying on Depp’s eccentric casualness taking on a grittier challenge with a lingering haunt, it eventually lost its overall reverent gravitas when obscenely confirming its genuinely muddled narrative that lacks a mutually grasped sense of discomfort. (B-)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/17/24

Full Review

Kathryn V

Another outstanding performance by Johnny Depp. I didnt think I would go for this type of movie at first, but his acting drew me right in as usual. I couldn't even say that it was his best performance, he does too many types of movies and he gives 100% in all of them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/23

Full Review

betsy a

Wonderful performances by Depp, Pike, and Morton, despite a slight lull in the middle, the energy of the storyline kept me invested to the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

Full Review

Ari .

Pretty interesting until about 60% of the way through, but stops tracking after that for me. As 8s customary of biopics.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/23

Full Review

Teri D

This movie was great! Some of Johnny Depp's best acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Beatri J

this movie isn't for all but i liked it the plot interesting

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Laurence Dunmore

Director

Johnny Depp

Rochester

Samantha Morton

Elizabeth Barry

John Malkovich

King Charles II

Paul Ritter

Chiffinch

Stanley Townsend

Keown

Stage Beauty

64%

78%

Stage Beauty

Watchlist

Goya's Ghosts

30%

57%

Goya's Ghosts

Watchlist

The Hoax

85%

58%

The Hoax

Watchlist

Onegin

48%

72%

Onegin

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critical Consensus: "Dead Man’s Chest" Is Overstuffed; "Scanner" Shines Darkly

Ohio Film Critics Offer Up Their Year-End Picks

The "People’s Choice" is Pure Idiocy

View more photos

Synopsis

John Wilmot (Johnny Depp), the egotistical second Earl of Rochester, leads an entirely debauched life. When not writing bawdy verse, Wilmot spends his time imbibing massive amounts of alcohol and bedding myriad women, including Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton). When King Charles II (John Malkovich) commissions him to write a play, he happily agrees. But after Wilmot foolishly uses his big break to skewer the crown, he must face a furious Charles -- and the real possibility of exile.

Director: Laurence Dunmore
Producer: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Screenwriter: Stephen Jeffreys
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Mr. Mudd
Rating: R (Strong Sexuality Inc. Dialogue|Language|Violence)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.8M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now