Shubhabrata Dutta
Historical period dramas are monuments of cinematic journey. They weave intricate narratives that are set against the backdrop of eras gone by. From the majestic courts of ancient empires to the tumultuous upheavals of modern revolutions, these films beckon viewers repeatedly. Keeping that in mind, we bring you the list of period movies available on Hulu.
7. Boston Strangler (2023)
Directed by Matt Ruskin, this film explores the case of the Boston Strangler, a phrase used to address the murderer or murderers of 13 women between 1962 and 1964 in Greater Boston. The truth behind the series of murders is looked into via the eyes of Boston Record American reporter Loretta McLaughlin, who was the first journalist to point a finger at the case and force the Boston police to investigate the deaths. Keira Knightley plays the role of Loretta McLaughlin. The rest of the cast includes Carrie Coon, David Dastmalchian, Morgan Spector and Alessandro Nivola. You can watch it here.
6. The Promised Land (2023)
This Danish-German-Swedish co-production is based on the 2020 book ‘The Captain and Ann Barbara’ by Ida Jessen. Set in 18th-century Denmark, the film deals with a conflict of parcel, i.e., a plot of land, the very fabric of civilization as we know it. On the one hand, we have the hateful and merciless magistrate Frederik De Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), who wants to monetize the moorland and doesn’t intend to share it with anyone, much less sell it. On the other hand, we have retired German Army officer Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen), who wants to tame the moorland and establish a colony that will gain him a noble title. This difference results in multiple confrontations between the two men, and it is only a matter of time before one of them falls. Can Kahlen take a stand against the powerful Schinkel? ‘The Promised Land’ received high praise from both audiences and critics after its release. It went on to win numerous awards at the European Film Awards and Bodil Film Awards. It also competed for the Golden Lion at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and was the Danish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards. You can watch it here.
5. Lee (2023)
Kate Winslet stars as World War II journalist Lee Miller in Ellen Kuras’ ‘Lee.’ Miller took on the role of a war correspondent for Vogue after gaining popularity as a fashion model, a striking switch. The film depicts the horrific times from Lee’s POV as she tries to cover various “angles” of the war, be it the Normandy landings or the Blitz. A rare depiction of the war, one underscored by professional non-emotionalism, makes ‘Lee’ a must-watch drama showcasing how the war blurred the line between the living and the dead. Winslet’s performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. You can watch the film here.
4. Small Things Like These (2024)
Tim Mielants’s ‘Small Things Like These’ is set in 1985. It stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and a family man whose silent demeanor is put to the test after he finds a teenage girl traumatized and locked in a shed. She is from the same local convent as his own daughter and wife, and seems to have been put there by the convent’s nuns. How Bill tackles the issue after discovering the horrors unfolding inside the convent while confronting his own past is what we find out in the quiet drama, which, like the traumatized girl herself, screams in silence. You can watch the events unfold right here.
3. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Directed by Rob Marshall, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ is adapted from Arthur Golden’s novel and tells the story of a girl child named Chiyo Sakamoto (Zhang Ziyi), along with her sister, who is sold by her poor father and brought to a geisha district. The hardships she faces while being trained against her wishes make her dream of an escape. However, meeting a much older gentleman named Ken Iwamura (Ken Watanabe) brings about a change in her. She decides to become a geisha so that she can be a part of Iwamura’s life. However, things are easier said than done, and thanks to the politics of her profession and World War II, her dream appears far-fetched. A movie that stirred up controversy due to its depiction of a Chinese actress as a Japanese geisha, but won 3 Academy Awards, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ is a gripping watch. It can be streamed here.
2. The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Prestige’ brings together fantasy and science in 1890s Victorian London. The story centers on a feud between magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), which resulted from the death of Angier’s wife, Julia, due to Borden’s on-stage mistake. Both men pursue solo careers in London’s magic scene and try to figure out the secret behind each other’s special tricks. Borden’s “The Transported Man” has him instantly travel across the stage. Angier becomes obsessed with figuring out Borden’s method, and he introduces “The Real Transported Man” trick for his audience in collaboration with inventor Nikola Tesla. As the two fight for the top spot, the movie shows the extent to which both men are willing to sacrifice for the sake of being the best magician. You can stream the masterpiece right here.
1. Gladiator (2000)
Ridley Scott’s magnum opus, ‘Gladiator’ is a multiple-award-winning epic period drama set in ancient Rome. Set in 180 AD, the film follows General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), who declares revenge for the death of his wife and son, who were killed by Commodus’ (Joaquin Phoenix) men. This is after Commodus kills his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), who intended to make Meridius his successor, not the unworthy Commodus. Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 novel ‘Those About to Die,’ ‘Gladiator’ is considered one of the greatest period films ever, one that got Crowe his Best Actor Oscar. The film itself received 12 nominations at the award ceremony, winning five (including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects). You can watch the magnificent drama right here.
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