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King Lear

1974·Movie
2h 36min
56
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

King Lear fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense and violent

  • Tension8
  • Violence7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Catharsis8

Humor

Some satire and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody6
  • Dark Humor5
  • Wit & Wordplay4

World

History, politics, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

When England's aging King Lear renounces his throne to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, treachery, madness and murder soon follow. After banishing Cordelia, his most loyal daughter, Lear is betrayed and cast out by her elder sisters Regan and Goneril. Meanwhile, evil brews at the Gloucester castle as Edgar falls victim to his brother's deception. As battle lines are drawn and backs are stabbed, Lear rages against a fearsome storm. Can a man undo his wrongs? Will Cordelia be saved? Or will the wheels of fate crush all in its way?
Shakespearean TragedyRoyal Family DramaBetrayal and MadnessPolitical IntrigueHistorical AdaptationComplex CharactersTragic DownfallPower StrugglesPhilosophical Themes

Crew

Directed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about King Lear

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream King Lear legally?

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Is King Lear worth watching?

56
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 57/100 (IMDb 5.8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is King Lear rated?

Violence

Content advisories: violence.

How long is King Lear?

2 h 36 min

King Lear runs 2 h 36 min.

What language is King Lear in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.