The Lost King

Alice and Jane attended a preview screening of The Lost King during the Athena Film Festival at Barnard College in early March. This historical drama with a contemporary hook stars Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. Hawkins plays Philippa Langley, an unemployed British woman suffering from a form of chronic fatigue syndrome, who claims she is being haunted by the ghost of King Richard III. Richard lived from 1452 to 1485 and served as King for only two years before his death. Despite everyone telling her she’s crazy, Langley is determined to find the missing skeleton of the King who was murdered under controversial circumstances.

I won’t give away the plot, but the film is a wonderful “David vs. Goliath” story featuring a beleaguered woman who refuses to give up her dream of finding the King’s remains and providing him with a proper burial. Hawkins’ performance is perfect. Coogan, who also directed the film, plays the frustrated husband who has left her for another woman but still loves her.

This film should be in theaters in April and May of 2023 — we highly recommend checking it out!

Meanwhile, here’s a link to a cool video featuring an interview with Philippa Langley, whose story the film was based on.