Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘The Tragedy Of Macbeth’ Is A Visually Striking & Well-Cast Take On The Scottish Play

REVIEW: ‘The Tragedy Of Macbeth’ Is A Visually Striking & Well-Cast Take On The Scottish Play

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings01/03/20224 Mins Read
The Tragedy of Macbeth - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Tragedy of Macbeth - But Why Tho

The Tragedy of Macbeth is an Apple Original Film written and directed by Joel Coen, and produced by A24. It is based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. Macbeth (Denzel Washington) is approached by a trio of witches known as the Weird Sisters (Kathryn Hunter) after leading Scotland’s army to victory over the Thane of Cawdor. The Sisters tell Macbeth that he will be the new Thane of Cawdor and one day, the King of Scotland Spurred on by his wife Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand), Macbeth murders King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson) and ascends to the throne, but this only leads to a spiral of murder and paranoia.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Shakespeare’s plays have always been ripe for adaptation and/or reinterpretation. From West Side Story to Akira Kurosawa‘s Throne of Blood, the Bard’s work has attracted multiple filmmakers and stars over the years. For Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth marks a first in his career—that is, the first time he’s directed a film without his brother Ethan. Coen hits the high notes of Macbeth in a breezy runtime that skirts under two hours, often choosing to let his camera favor actors as they deliver monologues, or the scenery, which is stark in both design and how it’s captured on film.

Coen is also helped by an impressive production team that helps bring his vision to life. Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel shot the entire film in black and white, giving the film a simple yet striking look that helps draw attention to details such as the graying hairs in Macbeth’s beard and the texture of the armor that soldiers wear. Editors Lucian Johnston & Reginald Jaynes get extremely creative with their editing; in one scene, fog rolls across the screen, transitioning from night to day in the space of seconds. Another sequence pulls in on the sun, which then transforms into a spotlight that focuses on Lady Macbeth. And production designer Stefan Dechant creates sets that are sparse and roomy, especially Macbeth’s castle. A scene in the finale takes place in the throne room, with leaves blowing around Macbeth as he slumps on his throne. Supervising sound editor Skip Livesay creates an unsettling atmosphere as drops of blood and water crash onto the floor with a thunderous sound. Heavy drumbeats feel more like the pounding of a heart. Combined with Carter Burwell’s score, this has an unsettling effect that fits perfectly with the story, especially when Macbeth grows more tyrannical in his ambition.

However, it’s the performances that are the major draw of the film, including Washington and McDormand. Washington is no stranger to Shakespeare, having starred in Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing and a production of Richard III in the 90s. Here, he digs deep into Macbeth’s state of mind as the Thane transforms from an ambition-driven warrior to a cruel tyrant. As Macbeth becomes wracked by paranoia, Washington’s voice grows more strained and fearful; his deliverance of the infamous “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” soliloquy is more restrained, yet still carries the necessary force. McDormand is also afforded the same sense of interiority as Lady Macbeth. Though her actions are what eventually drive the Macbeths to ruin, a tender scene early in the film shows that she is deeply in love with Macbeth and is determined to see him succeed.

The supporting cast is also on their A-game, especially Hunter as the Weird Sisters. She contorts her body into shocking positions and speaks in a low croak of a voice; combined with camera trickery that makes one actor appear as three, the supernatural elements of the play are appropriately haunting. Corey Hawkins turns in a fiery performance as Macbeth’s rival Macduff, and Gleeson makes the most of his screentime as Duncan. The same goes for Harry Melling as Prince Malcolm. Other standouts include Stephen Root as the porter of Castle Macbeth in a rather humorous scene, and Bertie Carvel as Macbeth’s comrade Banquo.

Visually striking and impeccably cast, The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the best Shakespeare adaptations to be put to the screen. I highly recommend that viewers of all stripes give it a watch, especially if they’re fans of Shakespeare’s work. Very rarely do you find this perfect of a marriage between actor and material.

The Tragedy Of Macbeth is currently playing in select theaters and will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on January 14.

The Tragedy of Macbeth
  • 10/10
    Rating - 10/10
10/10

TL;DR

Visually striking and impeccably cast, The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the best Shakespeare adaptations to be put to the screen. I highly recommend that viewers of all stripes give it a watch, especially if they’re fans of Shakespeare’s work. Very rarely do you find this perfect of a marriage between actor and material.

  • Grab Your Tickets Now with our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: Love Me, Love Me Not Volume 11
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The High Republic: The Fallen Star’
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

09/11/2025
Natasha O’Keeffe in Whitetail
6.5

TIFF 2025: ‘Whitetail’ Is An Intimate View Of A Woman Stuck In Time

09/10/2025
Love Brooklyn
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Love, Brooklyn’ Rests on Pretty

09/10/2025
Park Jeong-min in The Ugly
7.0

TIFF 2025: ‘The Ugly’ Is A Harsh Exercise In Self-Reflection

09/09/2025
No Other Choice
9.0

TIFF 2025: ‘No Other Choice’ Delivers a Bleak Vision of Capitalism

09/09/2025
Molly Lewis in Whistle
8.0

TIFF 2025: ‘Whistle’ Is A Breath Of Fresh Air

09/07/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here