Michelle Pfeiffer’s Fantasy Film ‘Ladyhawke’ Is Finally Streaming

Michelle Pfeiffer starred in a medieval fantasy romance that is now available for streaming. Ladyhawke, released in 1985, is a heartrending tale of star-crossed lovers, a cruel curse, and the religious thief who is set to free them. Highly rated among audiences, the film is an enduring tale of love against all odds. One of the earlier roles of Phiffer’s fantastic career, Ladyhawke is an underrated gem of a movie that was underappreciated, but with time has proven itself a classic.

Ladyhawke stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Isabeau, a young woman who has been cursed to become a hawk at the touch of daylight. Her lover, the knight’s guard Navarre (Rutger Hauer), is similarly afflicted as he is forced to transform into a wolf under the gaze of the moon. For scant moments, at the eclipse of the day, the two lovers meet but are destined to remain separated thanks to the curse of the evil Bishop who hopes to claim Isabeau for his own. In this hopeless situation, a young thief (Matthew Broderick) stumbles upon their dark secret and unexpectedly offers the star-crossed couple hope to finally lift the curse.

‘Ladyhawke’ Is a Compelling and Unique Take on Star-Crossed Lovers

Directed by Richard Donner (Superman, the Lethal Weapon series), Ladyhawke is a beautiful and delicate film with an easy story, compelling plight, and beautiful scenery. Filmed across the picturesque lands of Italy, the film is visually idyllic. With moody shots through the woods, camera pans of glorious sunsets, and hills of vibrant greens, the film has a dream-like softness that lends to the film’s fantasy. The story is relatively simple. The conflict between Isabeau and Navarre is the film’s emotional drive and such a compelling and unique one that it rightly deserves center stage.

The subplot involving the overly comical thief Philippe, who has escaped prison and is constantly hounded by the guard, adds some action and humor to the film. This subplot provides a force for location change as the story moves from one location to the next but is also relatively non-consequential. Thus, it serves the film without being distracting.

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Unfortunately, this lack of distraction cannot be said for all. Matthew Broderick’s schtick as the loquacious Phillipe is, at times, overwhelming. His character begins with few graces or charms, and although he has more depth at the film’s end, he never truly recovers. However, as the impetus for the film’s resolution, the story would be sunken without him. Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer are perfect as Isabeau and Navarre. Hauer’s brooding intensity combined with Pfeiffer’s calm grace made them a very striking pair that one could not help but root for. As their relationship is the clench of the movie, the two actors triumphed exceedingly.

‘Ladyhawke’ Is an Epic Story with an Exquisite Pfeiffer

Ladyhawke received a 67% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics from Los Angeles Times, Variety, and Empire Magazine all gave the film a positive review. The reviewer from the Los Angeles Times called the actors “extravagantly good,” with Pfeiffer noted as being “strong and exquisite” and Broderick named as “irresistible.” Viewers of the film were just as delighted. Fans called the film an underrated and charming classic. Broderick was celebrated for his comedic relief and numerous quips throughout the movie. Hauer’s intensity was appreciated as the broody Navarre, while Pfieffer was called enchanting.

The film has been called “epic” and “beautiful” and received a 74% Rotten Tomatoes audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers loved the action and the pacing of the film. The dialogue and characters were praised as being sharp and interesting. However, fans overwhelmingly expressed disdain for the ill-fitting soundtrack. Some fans stated that the film is very much a product of the ’80s and, as such, feels dated. The film was a financial disappointment, receiving only $18.4 million against its $20 million budget. Despite this, the film was nominated for two Academy Awards. Ultimately, the film walked away from the ceremony empty-handed. The film received the 1986 Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film.

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A tale of love, hope, and dark magic, Ladyhawke is a beautiful tale of love despite all odds. A sweet and dark fantasy, the tale of star-crossed lovers is adeptly captured by the performances of Pfeiffer and Hauer. Broderick is a necessary comic relief, even though his schtick can edge towards the tiresome for some audiences. A classic, though dated, tale, Ladyhawke is a perfectly underrated gem. Ladyhawke is available to stream for free now on Prime Video.