- Home
- The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Page
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
- Summary
- How to watch
- News & features
❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
Watch trailer
01:00
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Save
- 2021
- Will Sharpe
- 111 mins
- 12A
Summary
Biographical drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy. In 1881, after his father dies, illustrator Louis Wain struggles to support his mother and five sisters. He hires a governess, Emily, with whom he falls in love. Despite this romance, and his growing professional success, Louis's finances remain unstable, and his mental health even more so.
Ad
Powered By
IMDB
Review
A star rating of 4 out of 5.
Alan Jones
Benedict Cumberbatch adds another historical portrait to his credits with this determinedly oddball biopic. He plays the titular Victorian illustrator, who was famous for drawing anthromorphised cat pictures that helped society warm to the idea of felines as domestic pets. Financial woes, an all-female family to support, mental health problems and a tragically short marriage to a governess (Claire Foy) become the markers by which Wain seeks to unlock the "electrical" mysteries of the world. Indeed, much of said electricity is generated by Cumberbatch and Foy's chemistry, while director Will Sharpe's bold visual style delivers extra sparkle, as he utilises fanciful lighting, animated psychedelia, kaleidoscopic images and cutely subtitled kitten dialogue. Unexpectedly charming and sweet despite the inevitable dark routes taken, the film is an affecting watch, and Olivia Colman's cheeky narration is an added treat.
imdb-square
6.8/10
How to watch
Loading
Streaming
Credits
Cast
rolenameLouis WainBenedict CumberbatchEmily WainClaire FoyCaroline WainAndrea RiseboroughSir William IngramToby JonesJosephine WainSharon RooneyMarie WainHayley SquiresFelicie WainStacy MartinClaire WainAimee Lou WoodMrs WainPhoebe NichollsHerbert RailtonAsim ChaudryDr ElphickJulian BarrattHenry WoodRichard AyoadeHG WellsNick CaveMax CaseTaika WaititiNarratorOlivia Colman
Show more
Crew
rolenameDirectorWill Sharpe
Details
Theatrical distributor
StudioCanal
Released on
2022-01-01
Languages
English
Guidance
swearing
Formats
Colour
News & features about The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
-
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain review: Whimsical biopic is too quirky for its own good
The film finds Benedict Cumberbatch in familiar territory as another eccentric genius with bizarre interests and a severe lack of social skills.
-
The White Lotus favourite to star in all-new TV adaptation of classic Jane Eyre
It will be the first television adaptation of the Brontë novel since the BBC's 2006 miniseries starring Ruth Wilson as Jane.
Ad
-
The Night Manager star confirmed for all-new crime drama "full of fun, action and emotion"
The new drama is based on the French television drama Cheyenne and Lola.
-
Meet the cast of Alice & Jack
The new Channel 4 drama stars Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson.
-
Daddy Issues cast: Who stars alongside Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey?
Where have you seen the stars before?
-
I, Jack Wright cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm star
The drama, which is now arriving on the BBC, comes from Unforgotten creator Chris Lang.
-
Amadeus stars Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe talk Mozart drama's 'woke' accusations
Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe are bringing the composer's story to life with divine intervention – and stunt strawberries.
Ad
-
Legends cast: Steve Coogan, Tom Burke and Hayley Squires star
The new Netflix drama comes from The Gold creator Neil Forsyth.
-
Will Sharpe on Too Much, playing Mozart and tuning out the critics
The actor, writer and director on working with Lena Dunham, living with bipolar disorder – and fighting Richard E Grant.
-
Ludwig season 2 cast: David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin star
David Mitchell returns as the title character in the comedic detective show's second season.
-
Pack of Lies soundtrack: Every song in the BBC thriller
The soundtrack for the new series includes songs from Madonna and Billy Ocean.
-
Meet the cast of Mog's Christmas
Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch star in the new Channel 4 animation.
-
The Beatles cast: Full list of confirmed actors for the four-film cinematic event
Read on to find out every actor currently confirmed for the quartet of films.
-
The Brutalist cast: All the stars in the Oscar-tipped drama
Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce have all been hugely acclaimed for their roles in Brady Corbet's epic.
-
Aimee Lou Wood on working with David Morrissey: 'I am so excited for people to see him be funny'
The Sex Education star speaks to Radio Times magazine about her new TV show, theatre and winning a BAFTA.
-
Meet the cast of Reacher season 4 on Prime Video
The adaptation of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels is back for a fourth season, with Alan Ritchson once again starring as the titular military veteran.
-
Too Much cast: Full list of actors in Lena Dunham's Netflix comedy
Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe lead the intense new romcom.
-
The Night Manager season 2 cast: New and returning stars in BBC thriller
The long-awaited sequel boasts plenty of familiar faces.
-
Benedict Cumberbatch joins Jodie Comer in new film The End We Start From
The Doctor Strange star will feature in a brand new survival drama alongside Jodie Comer.
-
Meet the cast of The Sandman season 2
Tom Sturridge returns as the Dream Lord, alongside plenty of new faces.
-
Meet the cast of Time Bandits on Apple TV+
Lisa Kudrow stars in the reimagining of the 1981 film.
-
Meet the cast of Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Benedict Cumberbatch leads the cast of Anderson's new Roald Dahl adaptation on Netflix.
-
Meet the cast of Showtrial season 2
The new season stars Adeel Akhtar and Michael Socha.
-
Extraordinary season 2 cast: Meet the stars of Disney Plus comedy
The show is led by a cast of rising stars.
See more about The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Ad
Ad
Ad