Juliette Binoche faces a moral dilemma in a new drama film opening in theaters today. Queen at Sea explores questions of consent and autonomy when a loved one has advanced dementia.
The film follows Amanda, who relocates from Newcastle to London with her teenage daughter to be closer to her mother, Leslie. Her mother has advanced dementia, and Amanda grows concerned about how her stepfather, Martin, is caring for her. A discovery at her mother’s home pushes Amanda to contact the police, setting off events she cannot easily control.
What to know about Juliette Binoche’s new movie Queen at Sea
Queen at Sea focuses on a deeply challenging dilemma regarding who should decide what is best for a person living with advanced dementia. Amanda believes Leslie can no longer give informed consent, while Martin argues that he understands his wife and her needs. Their disagreement puts Leslie’s wishes, safety, and marriage under scrutiny. The film traces the consequences of Amanda involving the authorities, including the possibility that Leslie and Martin could be separated.
Lance Hammer wrote and directed the 121-minute drama. It is his first feature since Ballast (2008). Binoche plays Amanda, with Tom Courtenay as Martin and Anna Calder-Marshall as Leslie. Florence Hunt plays Amanda’s teenage daughter, Sara, whose growing independence forms another part of the story. Steven Cree plays Jonathan, a care home manager, while Michelle Jeram appears as police officer DC Emma Walker.
The film does not treat the situation as a simple case of right and wrong. It gives space to Martin’s role as Leslie’s longtime husband and caregiver, as well as Amanda’s concerns about her mother’s rights. Sara’s experiences provide a younger perspective on independence, change, and new relationships. This wider family story brings questions about aging, intimacy, and responsibility into the same conversation.
Queen at Sea premiered in competition at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival. It won the Silver Bear Jury Prize, while Courtenay and Calder-Marshall shared the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance. The film has earned a 93% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 42 critic reviews.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.
