Set in 17th-century England, this provocative drama stars Johnny Depp as John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, a brilliant but debauched poet and courtier whose wit and licentiousness make him both a favorite and a scandal at the court of King Charles II, played by John Malkovich. A notorious libertine, Wilmot lives for pleasure, indulging in excessive drinking, sexual exploits, and scathing satires that mock the hypocrisy of the aristocracy. His life takes a tumultuous turn when he becomes infatuated with the young actress Elizabeth Barry, portrayed by Samantha Morton, whom he obsessively attempts to mold into a stage star, only to find himself drawn into a complex and destructive relationship. Meanwhile, his wife, played by Rosamund Pike, endures his neglect. Directed by Laurence Dunmore, the film is a gritty, unflinching portrait of self-destruction and artistic passion, immersing viewers in the grimy, visceral atmosphere of the Restoration era. As Wilmot’s hedonism spirals out of control, his health deteriorates, forcing him to confront the emptiness behind his pursuit of excess.