The Favourite Review: 8 Ups & 1 Down

2018 may be over, but 2019 kicks off with a number of Oscar hopefuls getting their belated UK theatrical releases, and first up is the much-hyped period dramedy The Favourite.

Yet another tonally perfect, brilliantly acted and delightfully weird offering from revered art-house director Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer), The Favourite rightly stakes out a claim for major awards plaudits while delivering the filmmaker's most accessible offering to date.

While Lanthimos' latest will likely alienate as many as it charms regardless, if you can get on-board with his surreal sense of humour and singular, almost Kubrickian spin on tired period drama tropes, this is unquestionably one of 2018's strongest movies and a mighty Oscar contender indeed.

If you're looking for a high-brow, meticulously directed effort following a month of impossibly-budgeted blockbuster fare, The Favourite is a perfect antidote and a great way to kick off 2019 at the movies.

But first, here's one minor gripe to consider...