directed by: Joel Coen, year: 2021
actors: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Brendan Gleeson, Corey Hawkins

An austere, Shakespearean tragedy directed by Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth follows the doomed Scottish lord as he, spurred by prophecy and ambition, murders King Duncan to seize the throne. Shot in stark black-and-white with stark silhouettes, the film emphasizes mood, atmosphere, and psychological torment as Lady Macbeth's scheming and guilt drive the couple toward doom. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand deliver imposing, nuanced performances, supported by Brendan Gleeson and Corey Hawkins in lean, archaic text.

Cyclicality, Drama, Shakespeare Adaptation, Period Drama