W.E.

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W.E.

R

2011

1h 59m

Drama

History

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

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108 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Dissatisfied with the way her own life is playing out, New York-based Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) becomes obsessed with the romance between American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and England's Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) when Sotheby's holds an auction of the royal couple's belongings. Wally is especially drawn to Wallis' side of the story, and as certain events transpire in her life, the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur.

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Critics Consensus

W.E. exhibits director Madonna's keen eye for striking style, but this shallow biopic is too enamored with aesthetics to offer any insight into its subject.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 31, 2018

With the right amount of directorial mishandling, you can utterly waste the talent of two actresses who are otherwise first-class.

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Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

Mar 22, 2012

2.5/5

The coda plays like one long and petulant foot stomp about sacrifice and due recognition of said sacrifice, and in that, too, it's impossible not to tease the thread back to its maker, striking a pose as misunderstood icon.

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Joe Williams

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mar 16, 2012

2/4

It's hard to hate a movie that escorts us to such lovely locales, but instead of marking the territory as her own, Madonna has directed a potentially provocative story like a virgin.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Jul 29, 2019

W.E. offers astounding proof that a movie can be larded with talent, money and craft, yet fail miserably.

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Jul 24, 2019

2/5

The film is perhaps an ironic exposé of how personal Madonna's interest is in the very sort of privileged, monied and transnational lives of the two lead women.

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Kelly Jane Torrance

Washington Examiner

Jan 4, 2019

1/4

Madonna needs to accept... that her talents lie not in the movie business.

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Carolyn G

@Carolyn5555 Aug 13, 2026

This is such a beautiful film, and I am at a loss to understand the reviews...other than people struggle to accept that it is a film by Madonna. The entwined stories are incredibly clever and moving, and the score is sublime. I feel that Madonna has captured the essence of the characters so well...one of my favourite films!

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M D

@Elle12 Dec 24, 2025

I have no idea how anyone could leave this movie a bad review. It is one of my favorites and re-watch it often. It’s beautifully filmed and artistic. The story line is captivating.

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Joyla G

@RT47050441 Sep 19, 2025

I didn't like the way the movie was set up. It was difficult to follow, who was who and what was really going on. I just gave up on it.

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Daniel J

@RT16886619 Aug 3, 2025

If it wasn't for the cinematography, it would be zero stars. Kudos to the DP. Beyond that...Terribly written...Terribly directed.

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Paige H

@RT68440610 Jan 20, 2025

Oh, come on. I read the earliest reviews and what rubbish. Those critics are paid to be assholes. Nonetheless, I watched this beautiful movie today. It was well written, well paced, surprising, eloquent and necessary. We needed to know the story from the female perspective which is almost always ignored. And there was a beautiful romance to boot. Give it the chance it deserves.

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Laura B

@RT55568369 Nov 25, 2024

I verified my account specifically to come on here and write this review. This movie has aged gracefully, beautifully and extraordinarily well. Look at where Oscar Isaac is now. Need I say more? I am a woman (from 2024) telling anyone reading this that this movie is a tragically, hauntingly beautiful work of art that nicely captures a period of time in a bottle. I want to keep studying this period and these characters to understand them, the way the main character did. This story makes you want to keep going. And the way it ended was lovely. I fell in love with this movie. As a woman who has experienced many of the feelings and experiences of the main character, I deeply understand this film. The critics from 2011 should be ashamed. This movie is a perfect timepiece and truly honors its protagonist. Watch it.

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Madonna

Director

Abbie Cornish

Wally Winthrop

Andrea Riseborough

Wallis Simpson

James D'Arcy

Edward

Oscar Isaac

Evgeni

Richard Coyle

William Winthrop

Anna Karenina

63%

50%

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Synopsis

Dissatisfied with the way her own life is playing out, New York-based Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) becomes obsessed with the romance between American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and England's Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) when Sotheby's holds an auction of the royal couple's belongings. Wally is especially drawn to Wallis' side of the story, and as certain events transpire in her life, the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur.

Director: Madonna
Producer: Madonna, Kris Thykier
Screenwriter: Madonna, Alek Keshishian
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Tempesta Films, IM Global, Semtex Films
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Some Domestic Violence)
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 9, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $582.1K
Runtime: 1h 59m

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