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IMDbPro

Empire of Light

  • 20222022
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
96
20
Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980's.
Play trailer1:35
9 Videos
35 Photos
DramaRomance
A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s.A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s.A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
96
20
    • Sam Mendes
    • Sam Mendes
  • Stars
    • Olivia Colman
    • Micheal Ward
    • Colin Firth
    • Sam Mendes
    • Sam Mendes
  • Stars
    • Olivia Colman
    • Micheal Ward
    • Colin Firth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 50User reviews
    • 117Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos9

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:35
    Watch Official Trailer
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Watch Official Teaser Trailer
    Empire of Light
    Trailer 1:35
    Watch Empire of Light
    Empire of Light
    Trailer 1:15
    Watch Empire of Light
    Exclusive: Illusion of Life
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Exclusive: Illusion of Life
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Clip 1:59
    Watch A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Empire Of Light: Fishing
    Clip 1:37
    Watch Empire Of Light: Fishing
    Empire Of Light: Illusion Of Life
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Empire Of Light: Illusion Of Life
    Empire Of Light: Connection (Featurette)
    Featurette 3:48
    Watch Empire Of Light: Connection (Featurette)

    Photos35

    Olivia Colman in Empire of Light (2022)
    Toby Jones and Olivia Colman in Empire of Light (2022)
    Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Olivia Colman and Tom Brooke in Empire of Light (2022)
    Olivia Colman in Empire of Light (2022)
    Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Colin Firth and Olivia Colman in Empire of Light (2022)
    Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Colin Firth and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Olivia Colman
    Olivia Colman
    • Hilary
    Micheal Ward
    Micheal Ward
    • Stephen
    Colin Firth
    Colin Firth
    • Donald Ellis
    Toby Jones
    Toby Jones
    • Norman
    Tom Brooke
    Tom Brooke
    • Neil
    Tanya Moodie
    Tanya Moodie
    • Delia
    Hannah Onslow
    Hannah Onslow
    • Janine
    Crystal Clarke
    Crystal Clarke
    • Ruby
    Monica Dolan
    Monica Dolan
    • Rosemary Bates
    Ron Cook
    Ron Cook
    • Mr. Cooper
    Sara Stewart
    Sara Stewart
    • Brenda Ellis
    Justin Edwards
    Justin Edwards
    • Jim Booth
    Roman Hayeck-Green
    Roman Hayeck-Green
    • Frankie
    Brian Fletcher
    • Brian
    Dougie Boyall
    Dougie Boyall
    • Finn
    William Chubb
    • Doctor Laird
    Spike Leighton
    Spike Leighton
    • Mikey
    Jacob Avery
    • Colin
      • Sam Mendes
      • Sam Mendes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although this is Sam Mendes' ninth film as a director, "Empire of Light" marks the first time he directed from a screenplay he had written by himself. All of his other films, including his first writing credit, 1917 (2019), were directed from scripts by other screenwriters.
    • Goofs
      During a scene that takes place in 1981, Janine mentions she heard about a song from SPIN magazine. Spin magazine was not founded until 1985.
    • Quotes

      Hilary: All these people. I'm the only one who knows the truth. Do you understand me? I'm the only one!

    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: This Movie was Shockingly Terrible - Best and Worst of TIFF 2022 (2022)

    User reviews50

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    "Empire of Light" struggles to find its footing in slow, unfocused start.
    "Empire of Light" is a grandiose title for Sam Mendes' intimate new character drama, which unfortunately starts out slow and unfocused. The story is set in 1980-81 and centers around a palatial Art Deco theater in the seaside town of Margate. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is well done and the performances from the cast, including Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, are strong. However, the storytelling is jumbled and the characters are underdeveloped in the first and third part of the film. It takes time for the film to find its groove, but once it does, it becomes more engaging and illuminating.
    helpful•11
    6
    • FilmFanatic2023
    • Dec 10, 2022

    Movies About Movies

    Movies About Movies

    Take a look at photos from The Fabelmans, Cinema Paradiso, and more films about the art of cinema.
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    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 9, 2022 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Dreamland Cinema, 52 Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XP, UK
    • Production companies
      • Neal Street Productions
      • Searchlight Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 55 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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