If you followed along with last year’s Best Actress Oscars race, you probably remember that two of Hollywood’s hottest talents – Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie – were both nominated for their performances as head-strong, dominant young women.

Well, both actresses are back for another Awards season, and again playing head-strong dominant young women. But this time out, Ronan and Robbie star opposite each other in the period costume drama Mary Queen of Scots, a historically-inspired account of the Scottish queen. It’s an extravagant outing, with set pieces and costume designs that are sure to wow, and Ronan and Robbie command every moment they are onscreen. But there’s no escaping that its slowly-evolving story is its biggest weakness. In what should have been a solid contender for ample awards consideration, Mary Queen of Scots may be bowing down to its competition come Oscar season.

Returning to reclaim the throne

Set in the 1500s, Saoirse Ronan plays the titular Mary Stuart, a widowed 18-year-old and former Queen of France who returns to her homeland of Scotland to reclaim her throne. With her youthfulness and progressive outlook on life – especially when it comes to religious practice – she instantly shakes up the deep-rooted and established traditions of the country which many find troubling. That includes her cousin, and – by default – rival to the throne, Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). With brains, beauty, plenty of suitors, and age on her side, Mary is a palpable threat to the Queen of England, who fears it’s only a matter of time before Mary attempts to overthrow her. To secure their thrones and futures, the cousins resort to different tactics to assert their dominance, turning to their respective love interests Henry (Jack Lowden) and Robert (Joe Alwyn) for support in their years’ long battle to follow.

Margot Robbie deserved more screentime

For a story that profiles powerful women, it makes sense that a female takes the helm behind the camera and this responsibility goes to first-time feature director Josie Rourke. Though it is inspiring to know that women are becoming more commonplace behind the camera, Rourke’s limited experience is reflected throughout the film as the overall story is, for lack of a better word, boring. Because of this, the film, which is adapted from Dr. John Guy’s biography My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots, relies heavily on the star power of Ronan and Robbie, however, it’s 24-year-old Saoirse that keeps the story afloat. Robbie’s screentime is limited and while her performance and transformation into the aging Queen Elizabeth is commendable, it feels very underutilized.

Oh, so historically devout

While tangled plots and subplots are par for the course for any historical costume drama, what weakens Mary Queen of Scots is its duty to re-telling history event for event. Written by Beau Willimon (House of Cards), the film is chock full of political, religious, and sexist confrontations between the two Queens and their agitators, keeping the drama and emotional intensity at an all-time high. But as the film wears on and the historical events play out, we begin to lose these women’s perspective on the entire royal affair at hand. On a positive note, the inclusion on screen is definitely worth noting. Men and women of color who would most likely not have been in the royal court back in the 1500s are prevalent and fantastic supporting characters.

God save these Queens

Ronan and Robbie exchange fiery performances each time they’re onscreen, making for a rich film. An obvious first comparison about headstrong and ambitious young women jockeying for power is Yorgos Lanthimos’ equally visually stunning period piece The Favourite, but in reality, these two films could not be more different. Where The Favourite bubbles over with giddy and humorously wicked tales of a female fight for power, in Mary Queen of Scots, the bubbles have gone flat. If God can save the Queen, perhaps he can help out Mary Queen of Scots, too.

‘Mary Queen of Scots’ is rated R. 124 minutes. Opening this Friday in select theaters, including the ArcLight Hollywood and Landmark.