The Empress Review: Unrestrained Depiction of the Regal Court and Politics at Its Best

In this 2022 German adaptation of The Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s life, Netflix hits all the right notes and wins hearts impressively. Starring Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, Melika Foroutan, and Johannes Nussbaum in the lead roles, the limited series released on September 29, 2022, bares it all through its 6 episodes over the first season.

With Elisabeth “Sissi” being the rebellious and unconventional sibling as opposed to her much-reserved and ‘sensible’ sister Helene, the thought of her future causes their mother a lot of misery. Holding the belief that no one would ever be able to accept her as a wife, owing her turbulently defiant ways, her mother gives up on her cause in agony.

Their family is soon visited by the Emperor of Vienna and his mother in an attempt to boost his reputation as a ruler by fixing his betrothal to Helene. Upon their meeting, the Emperor is smitten with Elisabeth, and likewise, he ends up marrying the wayward sister instead. A series of schemes plotting his fall and Elisabeth’s removal follow, birthing an evocative political drama that tests them to the limits.

– Mild Spoilers –

The Empress Review

Right from the onset of the season, The Empress starts building up its strong characters by injecting them with various layers, rendering it impossible to loathe or love them one-sidedly. We see them as people harbouring feelings that can’t always be led out to the front for showcasing. More often than not, they see no choice but to suppress their emotions, heightening the drama of the story yet to unfold.

The storyline has women characters at its heart, with their performance commanding the direction of the plot. They are often seen suffering in hiding, and their pathos has a physical bearing to it with all the strain and toll put on them to look their part in society objectively – by wearing rib-piercing corsets, being ‘worthy’ wives by reproducing the next of kin and more. In the initial episodes of The Empress, the camera frequently closes in on Elisabeth’s character, profoundly generating the visual sense of the claustrophobia she feels in her new setting.

This dark reality riding underneath it all to keep women in check at the court also comes into play with the intertwined theme of generational trauma, with time and again forcing parents to dump it off on their children, thereby repeating the cycle. The conspicuous background score plays well into the narrative, assists in amplifying the emotional quotient, and sets the tone for the conspiracies to befall soon.

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By not restricting the action to court life but rather encompassing the entire realm as it is, the show reaches beyond to bring out the realities of an ostensibly wealthy kingdom. Similar counterparts of this genre tend to cover the filthy and jarring realities the common folk is subjected to and singularly focus on the dazzling issues of the royal household. However, this show looks at each edge of the cube with eyes opened and weighs every subplot as an equal.

Fraternal conflicts should’ve become an overused trope by now. However, a mindful replication of this dynamic can easily become one of the winning factors as it does in The Empress, all thanks to the portrayal brought on by Philip Froissant and Johannes Nusbaum. Similarly, Devrim Lingnau and Melika Foroutan work up an efficient on-and-off sparring match as the new bride and her mother-in-law.

Worth the Watch?

Absolutely, yes! There’s no reason for you not to watch the show. Everything from top to bottom is impeccable, and regardless of whether you’re a fan of regal period dramas or not, this show will make you into one. Powerful top-notch performances from the long panel of illustrious stars partaking in the storytelling of Empress “Sissi’s” life story make it a worthwhile experience unlike any other.

History buffs who’re aware of what befell the real Empress Elisabeth of Austria know that her life ended in a tragedy, but it makes the upcoming chapters of the series all the more interesting if there are any to come at all. Season 1 of The Empress is a genuine masterpiece that you can’t afford to miss.

In the midst of delivering shows with recurrent themes, this show truly transports you to the 19th century without serving it on a mere misleading shiny platter, and the costumes serve their purpose to the fullest as well. It justifies each character who is deeply embroiled in the action and politics. Each element plays into the story and supports its earnest sincerity in completing the circle.

The Empress is now streaming on Netflix. What are your thoughts about the series? Let us know in the comments section below.

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