The Great (S1)

Director: Colin Bucksey | Bert & Bertie | Ben Chessell | Geeta Patel
Starring: Elle Fanning | Nicholas Hoult
Released: 2020
Rating: ★★★★

What starts as a madcap tale of the debauched Russian court of the 18th century finishes as a surprisingly poignant story of power, politics, and people. The rise of Catherine the Great through a cruel and insane ruling elite is compelling to watch, and constantly resets expectations, making even Peter, the casually cruel man-child Emperor, sympathetic, which is quite an achievement. Many memorable characters and scenes, all lavishly filmed with beautiful costumes and sumptuous sets, capturing the stomach-churning violence, rampant sex, and razor-sharp dialogue with a very modern sensibility.