Early 18th century.

England is at war with the French.

Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfill her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.

THE FAVOURITE sees Oscar-nominated, visionary Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos (DOGTOOTH, THE LOBSTER, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER) balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext – and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars (including Oscar-nominated performances from Stone, Weisz, and Colman, who took home Oscar gold for her regal turn as Queen Anne).

“Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are both brilliantly witty and nimble, but Olivia Colman’s performance is nothing short of sublime. “ (The New York Times)

“Yorgos Lanthimos’ dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time.” (indieWire)

“The Favourite” is an uproarious send-up of the aloofness of royals, and comes alive thanks to its sterling ensemble cast (Nicholas Hoult is also worthy of note, playing a young British statesman) and Lanthimos’ pristine direction.” (Detroit News)

Sunday, April 28 *Final screening
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:20 pm
Advance tickets $10.50 HERE | $12.50 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

THE FAVOURITE (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2018 / 120 mins / 14A) In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead, while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.