Macbeth

Synopsis

Macbeth (2006) stars Sam Worthington as Macbeth, a loyal henchman to Duncan, the King of a Melbourne crime empire. Presented as a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, the film transports the bloody tale of ambition, power, and betrayal to the gritty urban underbelly. When a trio of mysterious witches predicts his rise to power, Macbeth, driven by his manipulative wife Lady Macbeth, launches a ruthless quest to become kingpin. As Macbeth ascends the hierarchy of crime, he becomes entangled in a web of murder, madness, and paranoia, ultimately leading to his inevitable downfall in this dark vision of one of Shakespeare's most powerful plays.

Cast

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  Sam Worthington

  MacBeth

• 

  Victoria Hill

  Lady MacBeth

• 

  Lachy Hulme

  MacDuff

• 

  Kate Bell

  2nd Witch

• 

  Steve Bastoni

  Banquo

• 

  Bob Franklin

  Siward

Reviews

The 2006 adaptation of Macbeth starring Sam Worthington received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 49% rating, indicating an even split between positive and negative opinions. 'It's a valiant effort that doesn't entirely hit the mark,' states a Rotten Tomatoes review, acknowledging the movie's ambition but critiquing its execution. IMDb users rate the film at 4.6/10, with common complaints focusing on its pacing and perceived overindulgence in modern stylistic elements. However, the film does have its champions. 'Worthington brings a raw intensity to the role,' praises one Metacritic reviewer, emphasizing the lead actor's compelling performance. Yet, despite a score of 51/100 on Metacritic, others argue that the film lacks the dramatic depth and coherence needed to fully translate the Shakespearean text to a modern setting. Overall, while the film has its highlights, especially in performances and modern contextualization, it struggles to resonate strongly with audiences familiar with the original play.