If you were captivated by the tragic beauty and emotional depth of 'Madame Bovary' (2015), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 movies and shows that share its themes of passion, societal constraints, and personal turmoil. Whether you loved the lush cinematography or the poignant storytelling, these recommendations will satisfy your craving for more dramatic, visually stunning narratives.

The Age of Innocence (1993)
Description: A lush adaptation of a classic novel, delving into repressed desires, societal expectations, and the tension between personal happiness and duty.
Fact: The film's detailed costumes were based on extensive research into 1870s New York high society. It was the first time the director worked with the lead actor.


The Remains of the Day (1993)
Description: A subtle, restrained drama about repressed emotions, unspoken love, and the cost of devotion to duty in pre-WWII England.
Fact: The film was shot at two actual English country houses. The lead actor learned to be a butler from a real-life former butler.


Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Description: A nuanced exploration of romantic relationships, sisterhood, and the balance between emotion and reason in Regency England.
Fact: This was the first feature film directed by the acclaimed actor. The screenplay was adapted by the lead actress.


Atonement (2007)
Description: A sweeping romantic drama about the devastating consequences of a young girl's misunderstanding and the power of storytelling.
Fact: The famous five-minute Dunkirk tracking shot took a full day to film. The typewriter's sound was a key motif throughout the score.


The Duchess (2008)
Description: A historical drama about a aristocratic woman trapped in a loveless marriage who seeks passion and personal freedom.
Fact: The film's costumes used authentic 18th-century fabrics and designs. It was shot at several real English country houses.


Jane Eyre (2011)
Description: A gothic romance exploring themes of independence, morality, and passionate love within the constraints of Victorian society.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Derbyshire, England, using many real historic houses. The screenplay was written by a noted British playwright.


Anna Karenina (2012)
Description: A period drama exploring themes of forbidden love, societal constraints, and the consequences of passion, set against a backdrop of opulent 19th-century aristocracy.
Fact: The film was shot using a combination of real locations and elaborate stage sets to create a theatrical feel. It won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.


Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
Description: A story of an independent woman navigating romantic entanglements and societal expectations in rural Victorian England.
Fact: This was the fourth film adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. The production used authentic 19th-century farming techniques for agricultural scenes.


Little Women (2019)
Description: A coming-of-age story about women navigating love, ambition, and societal roles in 19th-century America, with rich emotional depth and period detail.
Fact: This was the seventh film adaptation of the novel. The director chose to shoot in natural light to create a more authentic period feel.


The Handmaiden (2016)
Description: A visually sumptuous period piece with themes of deception, forbidden love, and female empowerment in a repressive society.
Fact: The film is an adaptation of a British novel transposed to 1930s Korea. It features elaborate sets that recreate colonial-era architecture.
