The Favourite

The film concludes with a powerful visual metaphor that encapsulates the tragic and manipulative nature of the relationships depicted. The Queen, overwhelmed by loss and her tumultuous political sphere, is shown in a surreal, psychedelic sequence as her face slowly merges with that of Abigail and Sarah—symbolizing the blending, confusion, and ultimately the entrapment of all three women within their intertwined struggles for power and affection. The recurring motif of rabbits, which initially represented Queen Anne’s lost children, then come to symbolize the toxic relationship between her and her favorites, intensifies this imagery. Abigail’s cruelty at the end, where she casually crushes one of Anne’s pet rabbits, underscores her duplicity and the cruelty underlying their rivalry. The rabbits’ proliferation on screen suggests that the destructive consequences of greed, ambition, and betrayal will only continue to grow.

This ambiguous ending leaves us with a haunting impression: despite Abigail’s apparent victory and her ascending in court, she is still ultimately caged and controlled—much like the queens’ beloved pets—by her own manipulative schemes. It highlights that her rise to power is not a resolution but a continuation of the cycle of cruelty and obsession that defines their relationships. The closing images remind us that behind the veneer of success, there is a lingering darkness, and the true cost of political intrigue is the loss of innocence and genuine connection. The film’s stylized, surreal finale leaves viewers contemplating whether any of these women truly find freedom or peace, or if they are forever prisoners of their own ambitions and the vicious game of courtly love and power.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57