Thankfully manages to avoid the syrupy mess of the biopic, but falls into many of the tired pitfalls of the contemporary  art house period piece. However, the alienation and distancing of the wide angle combined with the claustrophobic intimacy of the spaces Diana wanders through creates a vivid and effective dread. 

It's not through the psycho-tragedy that Spencer is at its most evocative however, but in the scenes involving Diana and her children. The late night candlelit Christmas Eve family hang was stunning. 

The film looks incredible and Stewart delivers the goods.

Great film from this year.