THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

*CUT TO THE CHASE*

NOTE: This spoiler was submitted by Jeremy

The film starts with the voices of the Three Witches (Kathryn Hunter) speaking about an impending meeting with Lord Macbeth, Thane of Glamis (Denzel Washington). Afterwards, a wounded sergeant approaches King Duncan of Scotland (Brendan Gleeson) and his son Malcolm (Harry Melling), informing them that Macbeth and General Banquo (Bertie Carvel) have defeated the forces of the treacherous Macdonwald, Thane of Cawdor. Duncan praises Macbeth and sends Ross (Alex Hassell) to execute Macdonwald.

Macbeth and Banquo are walking along a beach, when they are approached by the Three Witches. They prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor. Banquo asks of his own fortunes, to which he is told that he will be lesser than Macbeth but still somewhat happier, as he will become father to a line of kings. They are later met at their camp by Ross, who informs Macbeth of his new title as Thane of Cawdor. As Ross prepares to execute Macdonwald, Macbeth sits in his tent and muses about becoming king.

Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand) reads a message from her husband about the Witches’ prophecies. After finishing the letter, she burns it and wonders about her husband’s ambitions.

Macbeth and Banquo meet Duncan, who announces to everyone that he is appointing Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland, which stuns Macbeth and angers him. Duncan makes plans to spend the evening at Macbeth’s castle in Inverness. Macbeth speaks to his wife, who challenges his manhood and implants the idea for Macbeth to murder Duncan while she drugs the castle servants.

At night, Macbeth sets his plan in motion after the servants have passed out. He briefly speak with Banquo, who is with his son Fleance (Lucas Barker). Macbeth later enters Duncan’s bedchamber with great hesitance and stabs him in the throat. Macbeth returns to his room, and Lady Macbeth takes control since he is so shaken. In the morning, Lord Macduff, Thane of Fife (Corey Hawkins), arrives at the castle with a nobleman named Lennox (Miles Anderson). He enters Duncan’s room to discover his corpse. After reporting the news, Macbeth runs to Duncan’s room and slays his two guards, accusing them of carrying out the murder. Following this news, Malcolm and his brother Donalbain (Matt Helm) flees to England and Ireland, respectively.

Macbeth is then crowned King of Scotland. Macduff tells Ross that Duncan’s sons have fled, making them suspects in his murder. After Macduff leaves, Ross encounters an old man hiding behind rocks muttering something prophetic.

Banquo monologues to himself regarding his part in the prophecy. After he meets with Macbeth, the King speaks to two murderers (Scott Subiono and Brian Thompson) to coerce them into killing Banquo, as he views him as another obstacle in his conquest due to the prophecy stating he will father kings. Macbeth also orders them to kill Fleance. Lady Macbeth begins to express her concern for her husband’s declining sanity.

Ross joins the murderers as they await for Banquo and Fleance to return home. They attack Banquo and kill him, but Fleance runs off into a field and is promptly discovered by Ross.

Macbeth hosts a royal banquet after the murderers confirm Banquo’s demise. Ross notes that he appears unwell as he stumbles away in a daze. Lady Macbeth follows her husband, who begins madly hallucinating Banquo’s ghost attacking him. She calms Macbeth and tells the other guests to leave.

Macbeth later sees the Three Witches again, who show him through visions of Fleance that he must beware Macduff, who will become King when Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. With Macduff having left for England to help Malcolm, Macbeth orders the murderers to attack Macduff’s home, setting the place ablaze and killing his wife and children, even throwing one boy into the fires.

Ross goes off to England in secret and encounters Malcolm and Macduff. He informs Macduff of his family’s deaths, prompting the grief-stricken man to vow revenge on Macbeth. Malcolm also makes plans to raise an army with English soldiers.

Lady Macbeth begins to feel guilt for her part in her husband’s madness. The servants watch as she sleepwalks at night and begins speaking to herself, figuratively wishing to wash the blood off her hands from the victims of Macbeth’s wrath.

Malcolm and his soldiers cut down branches to use as disguise as they make their way to the castle in Dunsinane. The servants plunge into chaos as a potential war is brewing. Lady Macbeth is found dead at the bottom of the stairs (seemingly a suicide but also implied to have been done by Ross), and Macbeth becomes more distraught. He is attacked by a few men but fights and kills most of them. He is soon found by Macduff, who challenges the mad king to a duel. Outside, they clash swords at one another until Macbeth’s crown is knocked off. As he reaches to pick it up, Macduff manages to behead him. He brings Macbeth’s head to Malcolm, having avenged both their families. Malcolm is made the new and rightful king of Scotland.

Ross later rides his horse to find Fleance, whom he has kept alive and hidden. They ride together out of Scotland.

Lord Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is told by Three Witches of a prophecy wherein he will become Thane of Cawdor. He grows ambitious but envious when he learns that King Duncan has dubbed his son Malcolm to be his heir. Under influence from his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth agrees to murder Duncan in his sleep, then kills his two guards to prevent the truth from coming out. He is then crowned the new king while Malcolm flees for England.

Macbeth grows more and more mad along with his lust for power. He has his friend Banquo killed due to the prophecy stating he will father many kings, and then has the family of Lord Macduff, Thane of Fife, executed, as the Witches prophecized that Macduff will kill Macbeth. Macduff is in England with Malcolm when Ross, one of the men who killed Banquo, informs Macduff of his family's demise. Malcolm helps raise an army of English soldiers to go after Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth dies after becoming overwhelmed with guilt after everyone else has died. Macduff finds Macbeth and challenges him to a duel, which ends with Macduff beheading the mad king. Malcolm is made King of Scotland, while Ross takes care of Banquo's son Fleance.