Is The Other Boleyn Girl Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Other Boleyn Girl is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 115 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Other Boleyn Girl Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2008, The Other Boleyn Girl emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Romance, History domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII. Unlike standard genre fare, The Other Boleyn Girl attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Other Boleyn Girl features a noteworthy lineup led by Natalie Portman . Supported by the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Other Boleyn Girl Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Other Boleyn Girl is a Drama, Romance, History film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
The Other Boleyn Girl Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Other Boleyn Girl concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Other Boleyn Girl reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Other Boleyn Girl Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Other Boleyn Girl draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, romance, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Other Boleyn Girl adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Other Boleyn Girl?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
The Other Boleyn Girl Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $78.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Other Boleyn Girl Budget
The estimated production budget for The Other Boleyn Girl is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Other Boleyn Girl
- Natalie Portman – Anne Boleyn
- Scarlett Johansson – Mary Boleyn
- Eric Bana – Henry Tudor
- Jim Sturgess – George Boleyn
- Mark Rylance – Sir Thomas Boleyn
Top Highlights
Natalie PortmanAnne Boleyn
Scarlett JohanssonMary Boleyn
Eric BanaHenry Tudor
Jim SturgessGeorge Boleyn
Mark RylanceSir Thomas Boleyn
Kristin Scott ThomasLady Elizabeth Boleyn
David MorrisseyThomas Howard - Duke of Norfolk
Benedict CumberbatchWilliam Carey
Oliver ColemanHenry Percy
Ana TorrentKatherine of Aragon
Where to Watch The Other Boleyn Girl Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Paramount Plus Essential🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Other Boleyn Girl is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Other Boleyn Girl stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2008 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Other Boleyn Girl movie hit or flop?
The Other Boleyn Girl has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Other Boleyn Girl worth watching?
The Other Boleyn Girl is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Romance, History movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Other Boleyn Girl online?
The Other Boleyn Girl is currently available for streaming on Paramount Plus Essential. You can also check for it on platforms like Paramount Plus Essential depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for The Other Boleyn Girl
Except, it isn't really much about the "other" Boleyn girl at all, is it? Eric Bana never could hold a film together, and his effort as the amorous but volatile King Henry VIII proves he can't here either. Scarlett Johansson (Anne) and Natalie Portman (Mary) play the Boleyn girls well enough with decent, if brief, contributions from Kristin Scott-Thomas and Mark Rylance as their parents and from Jim Sturgess as their sexually ambiguous brother George. It looks sumptuous enough with plenty of attention to detail both indoors and out, but is over-written and it has all the sexual chemistry of a children's tea party. Sadly, it's a disappointingly weak adaptation of an intriguing story of betrayal, treachery and lust that really deserves better. Perhaps a film mainly for fans of a good costume drama that's big on costumes but less so on drama...
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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