Wilde

Wilde

Year: 1998

Runtime: 118 min

Language: English

Director: Brian Gilbert

BiographyDramaRomance

The story follows the celebrated playwright Oscar Wilde and his passionate relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas. Their romance blossoms against the backdrop of Victorian society, but their happiness is threatened by a conflict with Douglas's disapproving father. This escalating feud leads to a devastating downfall for Wilde, marked by legal battles and a profound sense of loss and despair.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wilde yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Wilde (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Wilde (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1882-1900

The story unfolds in the late 19th century, beginning with Wilde's 1882 US lecture tour and extending through his London years, trial, imprisonment, and eventual exile to continental Europe. The timeline captures a world of rigid social mores, theatrical fame, and legal persecution. It concludes with Wilde's death in 1900, marking a life defined by artistic triumph and public scandal.

Location

Leadville, Colorado, London, England, Paris, France

Leadville, Colorado is depicted as a rugged silver mining town where Wilde reliably captivates working men with his tales. The action also moves through London, the epicenter of Wilde's theatrical career and public scrutiny. Later, Wilde flees to continental Europe, with Paris serving as a symbolic stage for his exile and final years.

🏔️ Silver mining town 🎭 Theatre and high society 🚢 Transatlantic settings

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:24

Main Characters – Wilde (1998)

Meet the key characters of Wilde (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Oscar Wilde (Michael Sheen)

A flamboyant, urbane wit whose theatrical brilliance and magnetic personality win over crowds, yet invite intense public scrutiny. His life on stage and in romance oscillates between dazzling artistry and personal peril as he navigates love with Bosie and the consequences of scandal. The film portrays his charisma alongside vulnerability under the pressure of Victorian morality.

✨ Charismatic 💬 Witty 🌈 Complex sexuality

Bosie, Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law)

A dashingly handsome, volatile poet whose passionate relationship with Wilde becomes a lightning rod for controversy. He flirts with monogamy and indulges in pleasure, fueling Wilde's desire and their eventual downfall. His presence destabilizes Wilde's life, drawing censure from society and family alike.

🌹 Dashing 💔 Volatile 🎭 Hedonistic

Robbie Ross (Ioan Gruffudd)

A young Canadian visitor who seduces Wilde and remains a lifelong confidant. His encounter with Wilde intersects with Wilde's exile and personal turmoil, illustrating the complexities of love and loyalty in the playwright's life. He embodies the era's blurred lines between friendship, affection, and obligation.

💘 Romantic liaison 🧭 Outsider friendship 🌍 Transatlantic connections

Constance Lloyd (Vanessa Redgrave)

Wilde's wife, protective of their children, who advises abroad exile and resists divorce. Her devotion is tested by scandal, yet she remains central to the family’s survival and Wilde’s personal history. She embodies resilience and the strain of public life on private bonds.

💼 Aristocratic 🕊️ Loyal 👩‍👧 Family-first

Ada Leverson (Jennifer Ehle)

A loyal friend within Wilde's circle, offering companionship and wit amidst the turbulence of fame and scandal. She embodies the literary friendship that sustains Wilde through exile and hardship. Her presence anchors the social and artistic world around Wilde.

🤝 Loyal friend 🎨 Literary circles 💬 Wit

Marquess of Queensberry (Tom Wilkinson)

Bosie's father, a violent, domineering aristocrat who objects to the relationship and publicly demeans Wilde. His aggression catalyzes Wilde's legal battles and exposes the strain between class, power, and personal liberty. He embodies the societal forces pressuring Wilde into ruin.

⚖️ Law and scandal 🏰 Aristocracy 🗡️ Conflict

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:24

Major Themes – Wilde (1998)

Explore the central themes of Wilde (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Scandal

The film centers on Wilde's passionate relationship with Bosie, challenging Victorian norms and exposing private desires to the public eye. This love affair drives the central conflict, culminating in legal peril and social ruin. The narrative links personal longing to its catastrophic consequences for Wilde, his wife, and friends.

🎭 Art and Morality

Wilde's wit, theater, and storytelling exist in constant tension with rigid moral codes. The film presents art as both a refuge and a battleground where creators confront censorship and public judgment. Wilde's genius is celebrated even as his fame becomes a weapon used against him.

🗝️ Persecution and Exile

Imprisonment reveals the brutal cost of persecution on body and spirit, with Wilde's health and reputation deteriorating under the weight of scandal. Exile frays personal ties, forcing him to live apart from family and audience alike. The narrative closes on Wilde's death and the lingering impact of the era's intolerance.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:24

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Wilde

Don't stop at just watching — explore Wilde in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Wilde is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Wilde Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Wilde, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Wilde Summary

Wilde Timeline

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

Wilde Timeline

More About Wilde

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Wilde: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Wilde

Similar Movies to Wilde

Discover movies like Wilde that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.