Movie Review ‘Spencer’: Kristen Stewart Terrible as Princess Diana

Is there anything quite so unfortunate as a movie made by mediocrities trying to win Oscars? Spencer, directed by Pablo Larraín, an extremely earnest Chilean who gave us Jackie, and starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in a performance that practically comes with a neon light blinking “FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION” over her head at all times, strikes the same tragic chord over and over again for 116 wretched minutes. “In 1991, Diana was depressed,” this movie tells us in every scene, hoping that the audience will mistake thudding melodrama for seriousness or importance.

Stewart, who is (1) on screen virtually every minute and mostly filmed in (2) dramatic close-ups as she plays the (3) dead (4) British (5) world-famous (6) historical figure, is given six of the seven most reliable tools guaranteed to manufacture a Best Actress Oscar (the seventh, ugly-face makeup, isn’t really applicable here). Stewart was a fine and interesting actress before she became a star, unlike Robert Pattinson, who had no ability whatsoever when they started to work together. Now, they’ve reversed positions; he has become a highly compelling actor, and she has unlearned everything. Stewart is completely awful in this unbearable drone of a movie.

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Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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Is there anything quite so unfortunate as a movie made by mediocrities trying to win Oscars? Spencer, directed by Pablo Larraín, an extremely earnest Chilean who gave us Jackie, and starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in a performance that practically comes with a neon light blinking “FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION” over her head at all times, strikes the same tragic chord over and over again for 116 wretched minutes. “In 1991, Diana was depressed,” this movie tells us in every scene, hoping that the audience will mistake thudding melodrama for seriousness or importance.

Stewart, who is (1) on screen virtually every minute and mostly filmed in (2) dramatic close-ups as she plays the (3) dead (4) British (5) world-famous (6) historical figure, is given six of the seven most reliable tools guaranteed to manufacture a Best Actress Oscar (the seventh, ugly-face makeup, isn’t really applicable here). Stewart was a fine and interesting actress before she became a star, unlike Robert Pattinson, who had no ability whatsoever when they started to work together. Now, they’ve reversed positions; he has become a highly compelling actor, and she has unlearned everything. Stewart is completely awful in this unbearable drone of a movie.