Queen of Hearts

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Queen of Hearts

2019

2h 7m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

The arrival of her troubled stepson into her family home turns a successful lawyer's life upside down when their close bond leads to a secret affair.

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Critics Consensus

Led by an exceptional performance from Trine Dyrholm, Queen of Hearts is a bold and uncompromising look at the darkness that can lie within family, directed with formidable skill by May El-Toukhy.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Nov 6, 2020

5/5

It's piercing, magnificently judged film-making.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Nov 3, 2020

4/5

The film genuinely has something tragic in it, and Dyrholm is outstanding.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Nov 1, 2019

The tricky brilliance of "Queen of Hearts" is in how el-Toukhy uses a well-worn narrative - the unsuspecting, hidden passion with the appearance of erotic freedom - to unveil what in reality is a poisonous tale of abuse.

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Markie Robson-Scott

The Arts Desk

Nov 26, 2020

4/5

This gripping erotic drama, directed by May el-Toukhy with wonderful performances from all, is sometimes in danger of slipping over into posh soap, or soft-core porn, territory

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Emma Simmonds

The List

Nov 4, 2020

5/5

Has the courage to both charm and chill us as it depicts a midlife crisis.

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Matthew St. Clair

Cinema Sentries

Sep 23, 2020

Trine Dyrholm's dynamic performance is what makes the picture come together.

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MB C

@MB.Cinema Mar 11, 2026

Queen of Hearts that explores the fragile line between desire, power, and morality.... The story follows Anne, a successful lawyer living a seemingly perfect family life until her teenage stepson Gustav arrives and disrupts the household’s fragile balance. What begins as tension slowly evolves into a dangerous and secret relationship that threatens to destroy the family. The screenplay builds its conflict gradually, focusing on psychological tension and the moral contradictions of its central character. While the film is powerful in its themes and performances, its slow pace and somewhat predictable trajectory weaken the impact slightly. Overall, it’s a bold and unsettling character drama about hypocrisy, control, and consequences....

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Garry A

@heavyg Jan 22, 2026

The performances are good. The storyline is a little unsettling. I had a little bit of an ick factor watching it. The character of the lead actress plays has very few redeeming qualities.

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Anonymous A

@RT37796192 Oct 18, 2025

Great acting but horrid storyline. The ending was awful. Very disturbing premise with no consequences for lead character. Wish I'd never watched it.

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Alain E

@AlainE May 5, 2025

At times hard to watch, this is a story about an off bounds sexual relationship where the evil doer is a woman. Very interesting that the director is female. There are some sex scenes due to the theme of the movie, but there is nothing titillating. The main lesson is that many people have serious character flaws which can have devastating effects on persons they come in contact with. Even then, the characters are described realistically. The protagonist is a school counselor who cannot control herself to stay away from her own stepson, but on the other hand she is able to give good advice to a female student who lives in an abusive environment. Strong acting and good cinematography.

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positive m

@RT36949152 Nov 25, 2024

Honesty Love Prudence Self-regulation

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Esther R

@RT09652168 May 15, 2024

Enthralling. Realistic portrayal which was enjoyably hard to watch. Brilliantly acted.

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May El-Toukhy

Director

Trine Dyrholm

Anne

Magnus Krepper

Peter

Gustav Lindh

Gustav

Silja Esmår Dannemann

Fanny

Stine Gyldenkerne

Lina

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Synopsis

The arrival of her troubled stepson into her family home turns a successful lawyer's life upside down when their close bond leads to a secret affair.

Director: May El-Toukhy
Producer: Caroline Blanco, Rene Ezra
Screenwriter: May El-Toukhy, Maren Louise Käehne
Distributor: Breaking Glass Pictures
Production Co: Nordisk Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Danish
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2019
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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