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IMDbPro

Empire of Light

  • 2022
  • R
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
25K
YOUR RATING
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
15 Videos
99 Photos
Psychological DramaDramaRomance

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.

  • Director
    • Sam Mendes
  • Writer
    • Sam Mendes
  • Stars
    • Olivia Colman
    • Micheal Ward
    • Colin Firth
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    25K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam Mendes
    • Writer
      • Sam Mendes
    • Stars
      • Olivia Colman
      • Micheal Ward
      • Colin Firth
    • 174User reviews
    • 213Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 39 nominations total

    Videos15

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:35
    Official Trailer
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Official Teaser Trailer
    Empire of Light
    Trailer 1:35
    Empire of Light
    Empire of Light
    Trailer 1:15
    Empire of Light
    Exclusive: Illusion of Life
    Clip 0:52
    Exclusive: Illusion of Life
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Clip 1:59
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes

    Photos99

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    View Poster
    + 94
    View Poster

    Top cast40

    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
    • Director
      • Sam Mendes
    • Writer
      • Sam Mendes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The actual Dreamland cinema in Margate (which stood in for the Empire cinema in this film) was opened in 1923. It changed hands several times during its lifetime and finally closed for good in 2007. It still stands, although empty, because it is a listed building and so cannot be demolished without parliamentary approval. The block of flats where Steven lives with his mother is not an optical effect: it is really is that close to the building (with Margate railway station being just 100 yards up the road).
    • 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

      Stephen: Amazin'.

      Norman: It is amazing. Because it's just static frames, with darkness in between. But there's a little flaw in your optic nerve so that if I run the film at 24 frames per second you don't see the darkness.

      Stephen: Wow.

      Norman: It's called the Phi Phenomenon. Viewing static images rapidly in succession crates an illusion of motion. Illusion of life.

    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: This Movie was Shockingly Terrible - Best and Worst of TIFF 2022 (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Asteroid - Pearl & Dean
      Written & Performed by Pete Moore
      Published by Sony Music Publishing
      Courtesy of Pearl & Dean

    User reviews174

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10

    Empire of Light works best as a love letter to the art of filmmaking and the theater experience.

    If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free thoughts, please follow my blog to read my full review :)

    "Empire of Light works best as a love letter to the art of filmmaking and the theater experience. Brilliant performances. Astonishing to behold. Emotional to listen to - score is the technical highlight. Not so captivating narratively, considering that Sam Mendes' first solo script lacks depth in the most important themes.

    It's a beautiful tribute to the magic of cinema that cinephiles will enjoy, but for viewers less passionate about the 7th art, it might be difficult to genuinely care."

    Rating: B-
    • msbreviews
    • Oct 22, 2022
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Empire of Light?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 2022 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Imperio de luz
    • Filming locations
      • Dreamland Cinema, 52 Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XP, UK(exterior scenes)
    • Production companies
      • BBC Legends
      • Neal Street Productions
      • Reliance Film & Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,177,577
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $163,405
      • Dec 11, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,395,604
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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