 directed by josie rourke mary queen of scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic mary stuart queen of france at 16 and widowed at 18 mary saoirse ronan defies pressure to remarry instead she returns to her native scotland to reclaim her rightful throne but scotland and england fall under the rule of the compelling elizabeth i margot robbie each young queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination rivals in power and in love and female regents in a masculine world the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence determined to rule as much more than a figurehead mary asserts her claim to the english throne threatening elizabeth s sovereignty betrayal rebellion and conspiracies within the court imperil both thrones and change the course of history josie rourke  