Watch Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts is a Danish drama film that was released in 2019. The movie, directed by May el-Toukhy, stars Trine Dyrholm as Anne, a successful lawyer who is married to a respected physician named Peter (played by Magnus Krepper). The couple has two young daughters and a seemingly perfect life. But when Peter's troubled teenage son Gustav (played by Gustav Lindh) comes to live with them, Anne's life begins to spiral out of control.

The film explores the taboo subject of a woman who has an illicit affair with her stepson. But it's not just about the sexual nature of the relationship; it also examines the power dynamics and emotional turmoil that come with such a complex situation. As the title suggests, this movie is a character study of Anne, who is a deeply flawed and complex individual. She struggles to balance her desire for intimacy with Gustav against her responsibilities as a wife and mother.

The movie is a slow burn that builds tension gradually throughout its runtime. The first half of the movie establishes the family dynamics and sets the stage for the conflict to come. Anne is initially portrayed as a sympathetic and relatable character, struggling to balance her demanding career with her personal life. But as the movie progresses, we see the darker side of her personality emerge.

Trine Dyrholm gives a remarkable performance as Anne. She portrays the character's conflicting emotions with subtlety and nuance, making her both relatable and disturbing. Gustav Lindh, who plays her stepson, also delivers a noteworthy performance. He captures the character's adolescent angst and vulnerability, making him a sympathetic figure even as he engages in inappropriate behavior.

The film is shot with a naturalistic style that creates an intimate and immersive viewing experience. The movie's muted color palette and close-up shots convey the characters' emotional states without resorting to melodrama. The camerawork and lighting help to create a sense of claustrophobia and tension, making it hard to look away from the screen.

Despite its controversial subject matter, Queen of Hearts is a thought-provoking and nuanced film. It doesn't judge its characters or offer easy answers. Instead, it invites the audience to grapple with complex moral questions and to understand the flawed characters on their own terms. For those willing to engage with its challenging themes, it's a rewarding and compelling movie.

Overall, Queen of Hearts is a powerful and thought-provoking character study. Its themes are challenging and its subject matter controversial, but it handles both with nuance and sensitivity. The film's slow-burning tension, naturalistic direction, and outstanding performances make it a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas.

Queen of Hearts is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 67.