The Iron Lady
2011 · Movie · PG-13 · 105 min · ★ 6.4 · 52% critics
A biographical drama about Margaret Thatcher that looks back on her rise to power and the personal cost of a life in politics. The story also follows her later years, where memory loss and grief shape how she reflects on her past and the choices that made her so divisive.
Where to watch
Streaming on Curiosity Stream and Lionsgate+.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2011
- Release date
- 2011-12-26
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Critic score
- 52/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.4/10 (1,888 votes)
About
You may like this if you want a political biopic with a powerful central performance and a reflective tone; Not for you if you want a straightforward, detailed life story or a film that stays focused on public achievements like Golda or Emperor.
Pros: Meryl Streep’s performance; strong lead transformation; thoughtful human side | Cons: fragmented timeline; rushed political history; repetitive later-life focus
Themes
- capitalism
- prime minister
- based on true story
- argentina
- british overseas territory
- war propaganda
- british politics
- british prime minister
- female politician
- falklands war
- political leader
- female prime minister
- +6 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 2012
- Academy Award — Best Makeup and Hairstyling · 2012
- Academy Award — Best Makeup and Hairstyling · 2012 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 2012 · nominated
- European Film Award – People's Choice Award — Best European Film · 2012 · nominated
Cast & crew
Meryl Streep
as Margaret Thatcher
Jim Broadbent
as Denis Thatcher
Olivia Colman
as Carol Thatcher
Roger Allam
as Gordon Reece
Susan Brown
as June
Nick Dunning
as Jim Prior
Nicholas Farrell
as Airey Neave
Iain Glen
as Alfred Roberts
Richard E. Grant
as Michael Heseltine
Anthony Stewart Head
as Geoffrey Howe
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd