Mr. Malcolm’s List

Mr. Malcolm’s List

Year: 2019

Runtime: 12 mins

Language: English

Director: Emma Holly Jones

ComedyRomance

In 1800s England, a young woman finds herself entangled with the charming and wealthy Mr. Malcolm, portrayed by Sope Dirisu. Unbeknownst to her, he operates under a strict list of requirements for a suitable wife. The romantic comedy, written by Suzanne Allain and directed by Emma Holly Jones, follows the unfolding courtship and features Gemma Chan, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Freida Pinto in supporting roles.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

London, Bath

London serves as the social hub where society’s expectations shape courtship, gossip, and competition for the season. The story moves through grand drawing rooms, the opera, and public venues that reveal the city’s gaze on marriages and reputations. Bath appears as a backdrop of genteel salons where relatives weigh in on matches.

🎭 Opera setting 🏙️ London 🏰 Bath scenes

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Main Characters – Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019)

Meet the key characters of Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Julia Thistlewaite (Gemma Chan)

A socialite who weaponizes charm to exact revenge on Malcolm after being mocked. She engineers Selina's introduction as the perfect match while manipulating Cassidy to reveal her misstep. Her schemes create tension and test loyalties, culminating in a moment of guilt and an attempt to repair the fallout.

👑 Socialite 🎭 Schemer

Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto)

A capable and kind-hearted woman swept into a vengeful plot, she gradually asserts her own agency. She navigates Julia's manipulation, forms a true connection with Malcolm, and ultimately chooses integrity over revenge. Her growth reframes the plan into a genuine romance based on mutual respect.

💖 Protagonist 🧭 Pragmatic

Mr. Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu)

A discerning bachelor with a clear set of criteria for a wife, he values character over social performance. He challenges Julia's schemes and shows willingness to redefine his demands when he discovers Selina's true nature. His journey culminates in a reimagined list, with Selina at its heart.

🧭 Gentleman 🧠 Rational

Lord Cassidy (Cassie) (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)

Julia's cousin, portrayed as feckless and easily manipulated, who nevertheless becomes a vehicle for the revelation of Julia's schemes. His gossip slips feed the plot's twists and intensify the social game of matchmaking. His presence underscores the fragility and fickleness of Regency-era reputations.

🧩 Cousin 😂 Comic relief

Captain Ossery (Divian Ladwa)

A courteous suitor who navigates Bath's social circles and serves as a voice of honesty amidst the schemes. He shows genuine interest but ultimately reveals a more nuanced understanding of love and loyalty, aligning with Selina's moral compass. His involvement adds a counterpoint to Julia's manipulations.

🗝️ Suitor 🕊️ Honest

Gertie Covington (Sianad Gregory)

Selina's vulgar cousin whose presence heightens the social tension and comedic elements of the plot. She becomes a symbol of how familial ties complicate reputations and schemes. Her interactions illuminate the contrast between polish and real behavior within high society.

💬 Relative 🧪 Crude humor

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

Major Themes – Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019)

Explore the central themes of Mr. Malcolm’s List (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love

Selina and Malcolm's romance develops amid Julia's manipulation, testing whether genuine affection can survive social scheming. The pair must look beyond appearances to discover real compatibility. The narrative contrasts longing with propriety, highlighting how honesty reshapes their choices. The evolving relationship becomes a counterpoint to a season defined by reputation.

🪞 Reputation

The plot hinges on social perception and the pressure to present an ideal match. Julia's schemes exploit public narratives and rumors to influence outcomes. The story exposes how women navigate judgment, gossip, and matchmaking rituals. Reputations are fragile, and the truth gradually disrupts carefully constructed façades.

🗝️ Agency

Selina's choice to reject manipulation marks a turn toward personal autonomy. The film traces her movement from tool of a plan to a partner who asserts her own will. Malcolm's willingness to rewrite his list signals a shift from control to mutual respect. Together, they pursue a relationship grounded in integrity rather than strategic advantage.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Regency-Era Romantic Deceptions like in Mr. Malcolm’s List

Witty period romances where love is tested by elaborate social games.Find more movies like Mr. Malcolm’s List that explore witty, high-society romantic schemes. If you enjoyed the charming deception and eventual happy resolution, you'll love these other romantic comedies set in elegant period worlds where love conquers social expectations.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a central romantic deception, often a revenge plot or a test of character, that disrupts the orderly world of high society. The story unfolds through a steady progression of social events, witty exchanges, and growing affection, culminating in a public unraveling of the scheme and a happy ending that validates personal growth.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their whimsical, light tone, their focus on the intricate social dance of courtship in a refined historical setting, and their shared narrative pattern of a romantic scheme that leads to self-discovery and true love.

Lighthearted Social Satire Romance like in Mr. Malcolm’s List

Charming stories that poke fun at societal rules while delivering a satisfying love story.Discover movies similar to Mr. Malcolm’s List that blend romance with a gentle satire of high society. If you liked the witty critique of class expectations and the charming, feel-good love story, these films offer a similar blend of humor, heart, and social commentary.

whimsicalsatiricalromanticcharmingplayfulsophisticatedrefined

Narrative Summary

Stories center on a protagonist who challenges or is challenged by the artificial rules of their social world, often through a romantic entanglement. The conflict is primarily one of manners and misunderstanding rather than deep trauma, leading to a straightforward journey where characters learn to value authenticity over social status, resulting in a happy and affirming conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films share a consistent light tone, medium intensity focused on social friction, and a straightforward narrative that prioritizes charm and wit over heavy drama. The combination of romantic fulfillment with gentle societal critique creates a specific, cohesive viewing experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Mr. Malcolm’s List

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Mr. Malcolm’s List Summary

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Mr. Malcolm’s List Summary

Mr. Malcolm’s List Timeline

Track the full timeline of Mr. Malcolm’s List with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Mr. Malcolm’s List Timeline

Mr. Malcolm’s List Spoiler-Free Summary

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Mr. Malcolm’s List Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mr. Malcolm’s List

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More About Mr. Malcolm’s List