Empire of Light15

Directed by Sam Mendes | UK | 2022 | 1h 55m | Starring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Tanya Moodie

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).

Join us on Friday 10th February for a special Q&A screening with the film’s producer and Chair of BAFTA, Dame Pippa Harris. Click here to book tickets. 

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

Book tickets

Wednesday 8 February

 8.30pmBook tickets
Thursday 9 February

Parent + Baby Screening

 12.30pmBook tickets
Thursday 9 February

 3.00pmBook tickets
Friday 10 February

+ Producer Q&A

 6.00pmBook tickets
Sunday 12 February

 5.30pmBook tickets
Thursday 16 February

 3.30pmBook tickets

What else is on?

Today (Wednesday 8th February)
Find out more

15:15

TÁR 15
2h 38m
Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett delivers an electrifying performance as a classical music conductor whose life begins to unravel in Todd Field's searing examination of power, fame, and ego.

Book here

Find out more

18:30

Pariah 15
1h 26m
Part of LGBTQ History Month, Oxford Pride presents a one-off screening of Dee Rees' trailblazing coming-of-age drama about a Brooklyn teenager juggling conflicting identities in a search for sexual expression.

Book here

Find out more

20:30

Empire of Light 15
1h 55m
Olivia Colman and Colin Firth star in this stirring ode to cinema set in 1980s Britain, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917).

Book here


Tomorrow (Thursday 9th February)
Find out more

12:30

Empire of Light 15
Parent + Baby Screening
1h 55m
Olivia Colman and Colin Firth star in this stirring ode to cinema set in 1980s Britain, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917).

Book here

Find out more

15:00

Empire of Light 15
1h 55m
Olivia Colman and Colin Firth star in this stirring ode to cinema set in 1980s Britain, written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917).

Book here

Find out more

17:30

TÁR 15
2h 38m
Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett delivers an electrifying performance as a classical music conductor whose life begins to unravel in Todd Field's searing examination of power, fame, and ego.

Book here

Find out more

20:45

More Than Ever 15
2h 3m | French & Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Corsage) and the late Gaspard Ulliel star in this moving story of a couple whose deep bond is put to the test after an unexpected life-changing diagnosis.

Book here


See all upcoming films

Plan 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!

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