The Serpent's Kiss

Watch The Serpent's Kiss

"Revenge has never been so sweet."
  • R
  • 1997
  • 1 hr 44 min
  • 5.6  (1,813)

The Serpent's Kiss is a 1997 period drama film set in 17th century England starring Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi, and Pete Postlethwaite. The movie is a dark and seductive tale of deceit and betrayal that explores the theme of obsession and desire. The story centers around James Fitzmaurice (McGregor), a wealthy and ambitious architect who was hired by the enigmatic and aging Lord Montgomerie (Postlethwaite) to design a garden for his estate. Despite Lord Montgomerie's ill health and the rumors surrounding his mysterious past, James becomes increasingly drawn to the man's sensuous wife, Juliana (Scacchi).

As James spends more time in their opulent home, he begins to uncover unsettling truths about the Montgomerie family's past and present. He discovers that Juliana's first husband, a former ambassador, died under suspicious circumstances, and that she and Lord Montgomerie have been involved in a steamy and possibly dangerous affair. James soon finds himself sucked into their twisted world of lies, secrets, and sexual intrigue.

The tension is further heightened by the arrival of a young and beautiful actress named Anne (Carmen Chaplin), who is hired by Lord Montgomerie to perform in his private theatre. Anne becomes a pawn in their twisted games of lust and manipulation as the three characters become entangled in a complex web of desire and deceit.

The Serpent's Kiss is a visually stunning film that makes excellent use of light, shadow, and color to create an eerie and otherworldly atmosphere. The film's lavish production design and period costumes add to the sense of opulence and decadence, while the hauntingly beautiful score enhances the film's romantic and mysterious mood.

The film's themes are complex and thought-provoking, exploring the idea of art as a form of deception and the line between reality and fantasy. Writer/director Philippe Rousselot balances these weighty themes with moments of humor and sensuality, creating a film that is both intellectually engaging and visually captivating.

The performances are uniformly strong, with McGregor, Scacchi, and Postlethwaite turning in nuanced and compelling portrayals. McGregor, in particular, shines as the conflicted and tormented James, bringing depth and complexity to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.

Overall, The Serpent's Kiss is a dark and seductive film that will leave audiences both intrigued and disturbed. Its exploration of the darker side of human nature and the dangers of obsession makes it a thought-provoking and engrossing work of art.

The Serpent's Kiss is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.

The Serpent's Kiss
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Where to Watch The Serpent's Kiss
The Serpent's Kiss is available to watch free on The Roku Channel Free and Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download on demand at Amazon Prime. Some platforms allow you to rent The Serpent's Kiss for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1997
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 44 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.6  (1,813)
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