Empire of Light15
In a British seaside town during the early 1980s, a once popular cinema struggles to attract audiences. Cinema manager Hilary also faces her own personal struggles. However, the offer of a special premiere as well as the arrival of new member of staff sparks the cinema – and Hilary – into life. Olivia Colman gives a beautifully moving performance in this stirring ode to cinema, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917).
Reviews
‘An engrossing, poignantly observed and beautifully acted drama about love, life and the fragile art of moviegoing…’
★★★★
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
‘It’s a heartwarming reminder of the joy, comfort and necessity of the big screen experience.’
★★★★
Luke Hearfield, London Evening Standard
Sorry - you missed it!
We showed Empire of Light between February 3, 2023 and February 16, 2023.
Join our mailing list and we'll make sure you always know what's on and when.
What else is on?
Today (Thursday 28th March)
15:30
Four Daughters 15
18:00
Showing Up 12A
1h 48m20:30
Red Island 12A
1h 57m | French w/ English subtitlesTomorrow (Friday 29th March)
15:30
Driving Mum 12A
1h 53m | Icelandic w/ English subtitles18:00
Drive-Away Dolls 15
1h 24m20:00
Dune: Part Two 12A
2h 47mPlan your visit
Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!