Firebrand

Firebrand is a historical drama centred on Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII. While Henry is away at war, Katherine is appointed regent, and she uses the position to pursue her Protestant convictions and to look after the future Queen Elizabeth. When her ailing and suspicious husband returns, his attention turns to religious dissenters, and Katherine, who secretly shares their faith, finds her position at court increasingly dangerous. Survival at the Tudor court means playing a careful political game against courtiers and clerics who would gladly see her fall.

The film is directed by Karim Aïnouz, whose earlier features include Invisible Life and Mariner of the Mountains; it came between those films and Motel Destino in his filmography. Alicia Vikander plays Katherine, with Jude Law as Henry VIII. The supporting cast includes Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale and Erin Doherty, among thirty credited performers. The screenplay is by Jessica Ashworth and Henrietta Ashworth.

Released in March 2024, Firebrand runs two hours and was made as a British and American co-production. It took about 3 million dollars worldwide, a modest return for a period drama. Ratings sit in mixed territory: 6.3 out of 10 on IMDb from roughly 6,600 votes and the same average on TMDB from far fewer votes, while the critics' score stands at 5.8 out of 10 from 97 reviews.