Dancer in the Dark
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
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  1. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Gregory Weinkauf
    30
    Björk holds the movie together, her natural charisma and the overwhelming intensity of her emotions should blind a lot of viewers to the ludicrousness of the story and the intentionally rotten videography.
  2. Slate
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    30
    At times the movie's crudeness has an eerie beauty, but the musical fantasies are a bewildering hash, and the protracted climax on death row is nearly unendurable.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    20
    So exasperating in its contradictions, so frustrating in its fakery, so deeply irritating in its pretensions, it's frankly hard to know where to begin to dissect it.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Derek Elley
    20
    A 2½-hour demo of auteurist self-importance that's artistically bankrupt on almost every level.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 3 out of 45
  1. smijatov
    10
    Dancer in the Dark is one of my favourite films ever. I cannot help but cry every time I watch it. The excellent performance by Bjork (surprisingly excellent, might I add) and the genius direction of Lars von Trier work perfectly to make one of the best films that have graced the film screen. Intensely disturbing, yet intensely gratifying and rewarding.… Full Review »
  2. ryancarroll88
    2
    A movie that will tear your heart apart - that is if you don't tear your eyes out first. It's too bad, because Björk showed so much promise as an actress in the beginning - but by the end her performance just relies on viewer sympathy and nothing else. To give it some credit, the musical sequences are very well done on their own, but they have no stylistic place in this movie… Full Review »
  3. Chaziltasm
    7
    Dancer In The dark by visionary film director Lars Von Trier is one of my favourite films, yes what my favourite film is doesn't matter, but this film is quite simply exquisite. This film uses all of the wonderful techniques seen in Dogme 95 films, to create a deeply immersive filmic experience. The handheld style helps to feel like you are watching a woman's life unfold tragically before you. As it may not be to everyone's taste i'm sure, it is certainly a heart breaker, you cannot help but sympathise with Selma, and a powerful award wining performance certainly contributes to your emotions. For some reason I enjoy the musical/drama, a unique blend. I find it hard to find flaws, and to me it will be a narrative and aesthetic masterpiece.… Full Review »
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