Is Lover of the Last Empress Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Lover of the Last Empress is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 100 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Lover of the Last Empress Review
Last updated: January 9, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1995, Lover of the Last Empress enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on The story of an innocent girl who is destined to become one of the emperor´s concubines. Under the direction of Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Chingmy Yau Suk-Ching, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Valerie Chow. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Aspects & Direction
From a technical standpoint, Lover of the Last Empress offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
Where to Watch
As of January 2026, Lover of the Last Empress is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
Final Thoughts
With an audience rating of 5.7/10, the reception has been divisive. For fans of Drama, History, it serves as a skippable entry unless you go in with lowered expectations.
Cast of Lover of the Last Empress
- Chingmy Yau Suk-Ching – Hui Yu Lan/Empress Tzu Hsi
- Tony Leung Ka-fai – Prince Kung/Yik Shut
- Valerie Chow – The Queen
- Yu Rongguang – Emperor Hsien Feng
- Yvonne Yung Hung – Lady Li
Top Highlights
Chingmy Yau Suk-ChingHui Yu Lan/Empress Tzu Hsi
Tony Leung Ka-faiPrince Kung/Yik Shut
Valerie ChowThe Queen
Yu RongguangEmperor Hsien Feng
Yvonne Yung HungLady Li
Kingdom Yuen King-TanDa Niu
Power Chan Kwok-PongEunuch Xiao An
Ku FengGeneral Su Shun
Lau ShunGeneral Cai Won
Lo HungGeneral Tun Hua
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, Lover of the Last Empress stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1995 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lover of the Last Empress movie hit or flop?
Lover of the Last Empress has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Lover of the Last Empress worth watching?
Lover of the Last Empress is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, History movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is Lover of the Last Empress?
Lover of the Last Empress is a Drama, History movie that The story of an innocent girl who is destined to become one of the emperor´s concubines. Initially she suffers from a loss of innocence and the intrig...
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