Movie · 2017 · Drama, History · 1h 52m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 2.4/10 (65.4K ratings)
History's most unlikely friendship.
Overview
Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
Ratings
Curator score: 2.4/10
IMDb: 6.8/10
Letterboxd: 3.11/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
Metacritic: 58
TMDB: 6.9/10
Director
Stephen Frears
Production
Working Title Films, BBC Film, Perfect World Pictures, Cross Street Films, Focus Features, India Take One
Cast
Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Tim Pigott-Smith, Suzy Eddie Izzard, Adeel Akhtar, Michael Gambon, Paul Higgins, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar, Julian Wadham, Jonathan Harden, Robin Soans, Ruth McCabe, Simon Callow, Benjamin Haigh, Will Christopherson, Martyn Mayger, Deano Bugatti, Penny Ryder, Christopher McMullen
Curator Review
Verdict
A polished, gently entertaining period drama with strong performances and handsome production design, but it takes a soft, crowd-pleasing approach to colonial politics that may frustrate viewers looking for sharper historical insight. Best seen as a character-led royal oddity rather than a rigorous drama about empire.
Best for
fans of stately British period dramas
viewers who enjoy Judi Dench-led prestige films
audiences looking for an accessible, low-intensity historical drama
people drawn to unlikely friendship stories
Skip if
you want a hard-edged critique of empire
you dislike sentimental or formulaic historical dramas
you’re sensitive to films that soften colonial power dynamics
you prefer fast-moving plots or high dramatic stakes
Overview
Victoria & Abdul is built as a graceful, old-world crowd-pleaser: ornate sets, polished costumes, and a central performance from Judi Dench that carries much of the film’s charm. The friendship at the center has warmth and comic ease, and Ali Fazal gives Abdul a bright, openhearted energy that helps the movie feel more alive than its stiffest scenes suggest.
Worth noting
At the same time, the film’s treatment of empire is frustratingly mild. It acknowledges prejudice and institutional racism, but often in a way that feels softened for comfort rather than confronted with real force. That tension is what defines the movie: it is moving and watchable, but also cautious, even evasive, about the historical reality surrounding its story.
Bottom line
If you’re in the mood for a tasteful, well-acted royal drama with a humane core, it works. If you want a film that fully interrogates the politics of its setting, this one stays too safely within the palace walls.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Cameron Howe (2★) · 522 likes
The type of film your nan and her friends go to see at the cinema. Then she calls you to say it's an impeccable piece of film and, that its probably her favourite film of the year.
Emily Housel (1.5★) · 179 likes
wow this takes British imperialism LIGHTLY. and there’s a joke within the first five minutes that is based off of prejudice towards India that sets the tone for almost the entire movie. YUCK
Gibran Meza (2★) · 133 likes
80% of this movie is just reaction shots of angry englishmen, showing disdain with silly faces or shouting: "That's preposterous!" to an Indian.15% Judi Dench being Judi Dench.5% of everything else.
Not quite my tempo, to be honest.
Rafael "Mister Movie" Jovine (3.5★) · 124 likes
A “mom’s” (not pejorative) movie through and through with some jolly good humor and a great friendship at the forefront. Ali delivers such a good, whimsical, optimistic performance that’s infectious and Dame Judi Dench is such a delight and her comedic timing is splendid. Adeel Akhtar also makes for great comic relief. The production design is great and so are the costumes and cinematography. The story did feel rushed towards the end, and as some critics pointed out, I thought… more A “mom’s” (not pejorative) movie through and through with some jolly good humor and a great friendship at the forefront. Ali delivers such a good, whimsical, optimistic performance that’s infectious and Dame Judi Dench is such a delight and her comedic timing is splendid. Adeel Akhtar also makes for great comic relief. The production design is great and so are the costumes and cinematography. The story did feel rushed towards the end, and as some critics pointed out, I thought… more
audrey 🌙 (3★) · 120 likes
ali fazal was out there looking like a tall snacc i would choose him over my own 9 children as well
2008 · Drama, History, Romance · 1h 50m · PG-13 · Curator 3.9/10 (148.8K ratings) · Where to watch: MGM Plus
Another costume drama about a woman constrained by status, expectation, and public performance.
Topics
period drama, British history, royal drama, colonial era, cross-cultural friendship, prestige filmmaking, costume design, gentle tone, imperial politics, biographical drama