Mary Queen of Scots (2018), directed by Josie Rourke and adapted by Beau Willimon from John Guy’s biography Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart (2004), is a historical drama that brings the tragic and tumultuous life of Mary Stuart to the screen.

Set in the 16th century, the film centers on the complex relationship between Mary Stuart (played by Saoirse Ronan) and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I (played by Margot Robbie), exploring themes of power, gender, betrayal, and the price of royalty. It is a narrative that both captures the political intrigue of the time and the personal sacrifices that come with being a monarch in an age of patriarchy, religious conflict, and dynastic rivalries.

The story of Mary Queen of Scots is set against the backdrop of the volatile political landscape of 16th-century Europe. The film opens with Mary Stuart, the young Queen of Scotland, returning to her homeland in 1561 after the death of her French husband, King François II. A widow at 18, Mary finds herself caught in the web of political machinations as she struggles to ᴀssert her authority over Scotland while navigating the deep tensions between Catholics and Protestants, as well as the growing power of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Mary, a Catholic queen, is viewed as a threat by the Protestant Elizabeth, who remains childless and thus has no direct heir. This leaves Mary, who has a legitimate claim to the English throne as the granddaughter of Henry VII, as a potential rival. As the two queens become entangled in a battle for power, they are drawn into a series of political, religious, and personal confrontations.

However, while Elizabeth carefully balances her rule with pragmatism, Mary is far more impulsive and emotional, making choices that will ultimately lead to her downfall.