Fans of period dramas and psychological thrillers alike should not miss Phantom Thread, a gripping exploration of love’s complexities, now available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
Released in 2017, Phantom Thread is set in 1950s London and follows renowned fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis, whose couture creations grace royalty and high society. The film delves into his intricate relationship with Alma Elson, a young waitress and muse played by Luxembourgish-German actress Vicky Krieps. Lesley Manville, known from The Crown, delivers a compelling performance as Cyril Woodcock, Reynolds’ controlling sister and manager of the fashion house.
Written and directed by acclaimed American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, this film marked his first shooting venture outside the United States and his second collaboration with Day-Lewis following There Will Be Blood (2007).
READ MORE: Matt Baker Opens Up About Spending More Time Apart from Wife Amid Career Changes
READ MORE: Anne Robinson Opens Up About ‘Heartbreaking’ Decision to Leave Her Cotswolds Home After 40 Years
One of the film’s most visually stunning elements is its setting, prominently featuring Owlpen Manor, a magnificent Tudor estate near Uley and Dursley in Gloucestershire. Serving as Reynolds’ countryside retreat, the manor adds an authentic and atmospheric backdrop to the story. Owlpen Manor is no stranger to film and television, having appeared in Tess of the D’Urbervilles (2008), The Other Boleyn Girl (2007), and an episode of Escape to the Country.
In addition to Gloucestershire, Phantom Thread was filmed across North Yorkshire, with scenes captured in picturesque locations such as Lythe, Staithes, Robin Hood’s Bay near Whitby, and the North York Moors Railway at Grosmont Station. The coastal cliffs near Ravenscar in the North York Moors National Park also feature prominently.
Critics have lauded Phantom Thread, reflected in its 91% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It earned multiple awards nominations, including several Oscars, and continues to receive glowing audience reviews. One viewer praised the film’s “impeccable writing and directing,” calling it a “masterpiece.” Another highlighted the “intimate, delicate, and beautifully crafted” nature of the movie, singling out the powerful performances of Day-Lewis, Krieps, and Manville alongside Paul Thomas Anderson’s sharp screenplay.
Describing it as a “divine phantom,” a top reviewer called Phantom Thread “a truly outstanding film in every regard” and ranked it as Anderson’s best work since There Will Be Blood.
Phantom Thread is now readily available for rental on Prime Video and Apple TV, offering audiences a richly textured journey into obsession, artistry, and the darker sides of passion.