The Girl King Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A queen who just wants to read philosophy and hold hands with her bestie gets tired of everyone telling her to get married, so she peaces out and changes religions.

🍿 The Girl King: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Queen at a Young Age

Crowned Queen Kristina of Sweden at the tender age of six, following the death of her father, Gustav II Adolf, Kristina was raised more like a prince by Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna. Her upbringing emphasized duty, education, and Lutheran faith, preparing her for a world of political and religious conflict.

Conflicting Desires and Expectations

Upon reaching adulthood, Kristina finds herself at odds with the conservative court’s expectations. They pressure her to marry and produce an heir to secure the succession and strengthen alliances. However, Kristina is more interested in philosophy, peace treaties, and intellectual pursuits, embracing modern ideas and figures like René Descartes.

An Unexpected Connection

Amidst political maneuvering and pressure to marry, Kristina develops a deep and complex bond with her elegant lady-in-waiting, Countess Ebba Sparre. This forbidden attraction challenges traditional norms and becomes a source of both solace and conflict within the rigid court environment.

Struggling for Freedom

Kristina’s unconventional lifestyle, her pursuit of peace in a war-focused era, and her burgeoning relationship with Ebba alarm the conservative council. They see her personal choices as a threat to the stability of the kingdom, intensifying the pressure on her to conform or risk losing control.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Queen Kristina (Malin Buska): The brilliant, unconventional young queen of Sweden who struggles against conservative forces and societal expectations while pursuing intellectual and personal freedom.
• Countess Ebba Sparre (Sarah Gadon): Queen Kristina’s beautiful lady-in-waiting and love interest, who becomes central to the court’s attempts to control the Queen.
• Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna (Michael Nyqvist): The powerful and conservative Chancellor who mentors Queen Kristina but pressures her to conform to tradition, particularly regarding marriage and succession.
• Count Johan Oxenstierna (Lucas Bryant): The Chancellor’s son and primary suitor, whom Axel pushes Queen Kristina to marry for political stability and succession.
• Bishop of Stockholm (Peter Lohmeyer): A representative of the austere Lutheran church and conservative forces who opposes Queen Kristina’s progressive ideas and personal choices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Queen Kristina: “By Christ’s balls! I hate to be kept waiting…” – Said upon meeting the esteemed philosopher René Descartes, showcasing her irreverence and impatience.
• Queen Kristina: “I know how to set a bear trap, how to clean a musket, but I don’t know how to place my lips on yours.” – Spoken to Countess Ebba Sparre, expressing her vulnerability and inexperience with romantic intimacy despite her practical, princely upbringing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €6,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $369,798

💥 The Girl King Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Girl King’ mostly because I was curious about this queen who was raised like a guy but then fell for her lady-in-waiting. The movie definitely delivers on the drama of that relationship, which I found really moving and honestly, pretty hot. Malin Buska as Kristina was captivating; she felt like this restless energy trapped in a gilded cage. There was this one scene where she’s talking philosophy but her eyes are just fixed on Ebba, and it perfectly captures the tension between her head and her heart. I wish we got a bit more time just with them together, understanding their connection beyond the court’s reaction. Sure, it felt a little rushed trying to fit in all the politics and the religion stuff alongside the romance, but as a look at a powerful woman defying expectations and fighting for her own happiness (and love!), I thought it was really powerful. It made me want to look up the real Queen Kristina afterwards, which is always a good sign for a historical film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas and biopics”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about strong female figures”
  • “Audiences interested in LGBTQ+ historical narratives”
  • “Those who enjoy European cinema”
  • “People curious about 17th-century European history and politics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes (politics, religion, sexuality)”
  • “Lesbian relationship/sexuality depicted”
  • “Female nudity”
  • “Drama and conflict”

Professional Reviews

• IndieScope: “”The Girl King” offers a fascinating, albeit sometimes fragmented, glimpse into the life of Queen Kristina. Malin Buska is compelling as the complex monarch, navigating a world resistant to her intellect and progressive ideas. While the film struggles to balance historical scope with intimate drama, the central relationship provides a poignant emotional core.
• ScreenRant: “Mika Kaurismäki’s portrait of Queen Kristina is ambitious, highlighting her intellectual pursuits and burgeoning same-sex attraction against a backdrop of political and religious upheaval. The film looks great and the lead performances are strong, but the pacing feels uneven and the narrative jumps between too many threads, leaving some aspects underdeveloped.
• Historical Cinema Journal: “While taking liberties with historical accuracy, ‘The Girl King’ presents a vibrant, if somewhat simplified, interpretation of Queen Kristina. The focus on her personal struggles and relationships is engaging, though those seeking a comprehensive political history may be left wanting. An intriguing character study, powered by Malin Buska’s fiery performance.

Audience Reactions

Many were fascinated by learning about the lesser-known historical figure of Queen Kristina.: Viewers appreciated the film’s focus on a strong, unconventional female lead and her struggles against societal norms and religious pressures.

The central lesbian relationship between Kristina and Ebba Sparre was a major point of interest and discussion.: Audiences praised Malin Buska’s strong and charismatic portrayal of Queen Kristina.

The film prompted many viewers to research the real Queen Kristina and her life.: The costume design and overall period aesthetic were widely enjoyed, even by those who felt the plot was uneven.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing, albeit unevenly paced, historical drama focusing on the intellectual and romantic life of Sweden’s unconventional Queen Kristina, praised for its lead performance and exploration of its unique subject matter, though some felt the narrative lacked depth or historical accuracy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “When director Mika Kaurismäki met star Malin Buska for the role of Kristina, he was surprised to find that Buska’s mother and grandmother were avid fans of the historical figure, meaning Buska had grown up hearing stories about Kristina and was already very familiar with the character.”
• “The film features the renowned philosopher René Descartes as a character; Descartes did indeed spend time at Queen Kristina’s court in Sweden in the 17th century, although his time there was brief and ended with his death.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Girl King?

Looking to watch ‘The Girl King’? This historical drama is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can typically find it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and YouTube Movies. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary by region and change over time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Girl King, you might like these similar films:

• Elizabeth (1998): Focuses on a young female monarch navigating political intrigue, religious conflict, and pressure regarding marriage and duty, much like Kristina.
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): A celebrated period drama that intimately explores a passionate lesbian relationship between two women constrained by societal expectations in a historical setting.
• Ammonite (2020): Features a historical figure (Mary Anning) who challenges societal norms and explores a lesbian relationship, touching on intellectual pursuits alongside romance.
• The Favourite (2018): A dark comedy period piece centered on female power dynamics and complex relationships within a royal court, dealing with political maneuvering and personal desires.
• Orlando (1992): A visually distinctive film that explores themes of gender, identity, and defiance of historical/societal norms across centuries, appealing to fans interested in unconventional historical narratives.

🛒 The Girl King Related Products

• Queen Kristina of Sweden: The Life of a European Intellectual: A comprehensive historical biography exploring the multifaceted life and intellectual pursuits of the real Queen Kristina, delving deeper into the history touched upon in the film.
• The Girl King (Digital Rental/Purchase): Own or rent the movie digitally to rewatch your favorite scenes or delve back into the complex world of 17th-century Sweden and Queen Kristina’s struggles.
• 17th Century European History Strategy Board Game: Engage with the political and religious conflicts of the era depicted in the film through an immersive historical strategy board game, focusing on European powers.
• Renaissance & Baroque Period Inspired Jewelry Box: A decorative jewelry box or trinket holder inspired by the intricate designs and aesthetics of the 17th century, reflecting the opulent court life shown in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Girl King features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “L’amore” – performed by Johanna Rusanen (Composed by Anssi Tikanmäki)
• “The Chancellor’s Plan” – performed by Anssi Tikanmäki
• “Northern Star” – performed by Anssi Tikanmäki
• “Reason and Passion” – performed by Anssi Tikanmäki
• “Departure from Stockholm” – performed by Anssi Tikanmäki

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE GIRL KING – Her Bedtime Companion

Want a peek into the heart of the film? This clip focuses on Queen Kristina’s relationship with her ‘Bedtime Companion,’ and it really shows the emotional core of the story.

Drunk Lesbians Watch “The Girl King” (Feat. Bridget McManus)

Curious how others reacted to ‘The Girl King’? Join some viewers for a fun, candid chat about the film – it’s always interesting to hear what people pick up on!

Queen Kristina & Countess Ebba | THE GIRL KING

If you loved the connection between Queen Kristina and Countess Ebba, check out this fan video celebrating their story. It really captures the feels!

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