The Favourite, one of the big titles at this year’s LFF, looks to be set for awards season glory.

In the same way last year’s Three Billboards and The Shape Of Water grabbed our attention early on in the race, here lies a potential dark horse. Is it possible that director Yorgos Lanthimos has finally entered the mainstream?

The Favourite shines a light on the sharp-pointed love triangle of Sarah Churchill, Abigail Masham and Queen Anne, who in eighteenth-century England chase each other round a majestic palace. A war is underway outside, but in here, a different type of battle is being fought. Masham (a terrific Emma Stone) arrives as a commoner, begging for a job. An opportunist at heart, she soon escalates through the ranks of the house to become the Queen’s key confidante. This is much to the dismay of Churchill, who fears being upstaged and worse, replaced.

What follows is a mostly uproarious, sometimes moving and altogether fascinating look into a slice of history. Our trio of key players are a joy to watch, complementing each other at every turn. Lanthimos’ quirky shooting styles (here employing fish-eye lenses and striking angles) underscore the unique nature of this story. Olivia Colman, in her biggest role to date, portrays Queen Anne with a mix of childlike curiosity, a lifetime of empathy and mood swings so sudden they threaten to bring the palace down to the ground. It really is a stunning performance and one we can expect to see bring home the trophies. Joining Colman with equal star wattage is Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill. It is a devastating turn, not least because of her genuine fear at the start of the film but then watching as things heat up between Masham and Anne. There’s a terrific ensemble too of Joe Alwyn – a charming suitor, and Nicholas Hoult as a rather slippery politician.

Whilst the film sometimes veers into farce-territory, writers Tony McNamara and Deborah Davis ensure that the emotional beats do pack a punch. There’s a lot to be said for Queen Anne’s mental state and how her upbringing affected her. This shading is key to the character and keeps Anne emotionally rooted. The skill of the writing, paired with Lanthimos’ intimate camera work is that you will leave the cinema feeling like you know these characters as old acquaintances.

If you can only catch one film at LFF, make sure it’s The Favourite.