Keira Knightley's 'best performance' to date is in a cosy romance film based on a classic novel
A Reddit user asked for film recommendations for "cosy autumn" evenings and was inundated with one suggestion – a Keira Knightley film that's perfect for this time of year.
With autumn's crisp air settling in and daylight fading sooner, countless viewers are swapping nights in the town for cosy film sessions indoors.
Yet with streaming platforms offering an overwhelming array of choices at our fingertips, selecting the perfect picture can prove quite the challenge.
When one Reddit user posed the question, "what films and TV shows can I watch on cosy autumn days?", the overwhelming response pointed to Pride and Prejudice (2005) featuring Keira Knightley.
This adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Succession's Matthew Macfadyen, Carey Mulligan, and Rosamund Pike.
The story centres on the spirited Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) as she resists marriage arrangements she fears will confine her - until encountering the brooding yet captivating Mr Darcy (Macfadyen).
This twisty yet uplifting coming-of-age tale has both wit and romance. It also features numerous sweeping seasonal countryside vistas, proving an ideal viewing for October.
Under Joe Wright's direction, the production boasts an outstanding 7.8 rating on IMDb.
One enthusiast awarded it full marks, commenting: "There was a scene where Elizabeth [Lizzie] was spinning in a swing, and every time she turned it was a new season, as if months past significantly fast while she was in her thoughts."
Another observer noted: "I understand that yet another adaptation of the frequently revisited Jane Austen masterpiece would need to be absolutely exceptional.
"Such richly varied and exquisitely crafted characters alongside such a charming storyline - so firmly grounded in a deep comprehension of human behaviour - remain eternally appealing to filmmakers, performers and viewers alike."
Examining Macfadyen's portrayal of Mr Darcy, the reviewer went on: "He's vulnerable, even fragile behind his stiff manners.
"His aloofness is more believably from social inadequacy than arrogance, yet he is believably constrained by his social standing to regard decorum, fortune and propriety in a wife's family as significant in his choice of a bride.
"Similarly... Keira Knightley's performance as Elizabeth Bennett is by far her best, as she sparkles in this role."
Pride and Prejudice can be bought from Apple TV, Prime Video, or the Sky Store for just £3.49.