After the death of her husband, Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan; Lady Bird), the rightful leader of Scotland, returns home to take her place as queen. Scotland is ruled by the English Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie; The Wolf of Wall Street) and many of the nation’s people want their own independence. Mary, who also has a claim to the English throne, seeks to consolidate power in her homeland while growing her influence across England. It’s a somewhat esoteric story, but no prior knowledge of or personal connection to the historical events is needed to enjoy the film and it may actually be more enjoyable without it.

This is not the stuffy period drama it seems like. The accents are heavy and there is plenty of formality to go around, but the plot is surprisingly involving. Rather than snooty posturing, the film plays out like a great episode of Game of Thrones with all the associated alliances, betrayals, and love lost or gained or used for advancement. Mary, despite her royal status, is surrounded by advisers that seek to undermine or overthrow her. She brings the baggage of having lived in France for many years and being Catholic in a largely Protestant nation. Even her immediate family cannot be trusted, yet she is able to persist. Her ingenuity and resilience in the face of constant opposition is formidable, but not absolute. Ronan balances Mary’s strength with emotions beyond political ambition in scenes where she makes earnest pleas for help to those around her. Elizabeth, the older of the two, bears a different burden. She is an aging queen that has not taken a husband or produced an heir which leads many to doubt her stability. She has to manage Mary’s potential disobedience while planning the succession of the throne. Robbie plays Elizabeth as the weaker opponent of the two. She is less confident and seems to be suffering from some sort of depression surrounding her health and lack of child. Yet, she still shows her own strengths. When needed, Robbie displays Elizabeth’s foresight as she makes decisions based on how they will impact the future of the combined England and Scotland, even if they cause short term difficulties or are not in the interest of her personal political career and lineage.

The underlying reason for the opposition Mary and Elizabeth face is their gender. They are rulers, yes, but also women in a political world otherwise controlled entirely by men who deem them unfit and impulsive at every turn. The male advisers lament that they are being bound by “the whims of women” as they attempt to control their monarchs. In the midst of their rivalry, this shared experience unites the two queens. Regardless of their opposing goals, they are the only ones that can relate to each other’s plight and as a result Mary and Elizabeth refer to each other as “sister” in their correspondence and have mutual respect for the political moves being made. The strange bond that forms is touching and adds a sense of common anguish that heightens the already fascinating maneuvering and makes Mary Queen of Scots an involving political drama.

4/5 stars.