Empire of Light (2022)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A woman struggling with bipolar disorder finds a profound human connection with a new employee at a coastal cinema during a turbulent era.
The story
In 1980, Hilary Small works as a duty manager at the 'Empire Cinema' in Margate, Kent. While struggling with bipolar disorder and living alone, she begins an extramarital affair with her boss. Her life changes when she meets Stephen, a new Black British employee. The two bond over the cinema's architecture and eventually begin a sexual relationship. However, Hilary's mental health begins to fluctuate as she navigates her new romance, the pressures of her job, and the surrounding social tensions of the era.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1980, Hilary Small, a duty manager at the Empire Cinema in Margate, struggles with bipolar disorder while maintaining an affair with her boss, Donald Ellis. She becomes enamored with Stephen, a new Black British employee, and they begin a sexual relationship. Hilary stops taking her medication, leading to a deterioration in her mental health. After a public outburst at a film premiere where she exposes her affair, Hilary is institutionalized. Weeks later, she returns to work and finds Stephen dating Ruby, a woman from his past. After a skinhead group assaults Stephen, Hilary helps him recover in the hospital. She eventually bids Stephen a final goodbye as he leaves town to attend college, giving him a book to take with him.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 115
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sam Mendes
- Writers
- Sam Mendes · writer; Sam Mendes · co-producer
- Cast and characters
- Olivia Colman · Hilary Small; Micheal Ward · Stephen; Monica Dolan · Janine; Tom Brooke; Tanya Moodie; Hannah Onslow; Crystal Clarke; Toby Jones; Colin Firth
- Genres
- romantic drama
- Themes
- human connection; mental health; racism; interracial romance
- Tone and mood
- poignant; dim; illuminating
- Premise and plot tags
- romantic drama; interracial romance; racism; mental health
- Content notes
- racism
- Reception
- The film received mixed to positive reviews, with some critics praising the performances and cinematography while others found it mundane or unfocused.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 44% · review count: 263; Metacritic · score: 54 · scale: 100 · review count: 48
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama · Nomination; British Academy Film Awards · Best Actor in a Supporting Role · Nomination; Academy Awards · Best Cinematography · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The Dreamland Margate Cinema signage was changed to 'Empire Cinema' during production.; The film includes music by Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Joni Mitchell played on a record player.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…