The Lives of Others
User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 177 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 170 out of 177
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 177
  3. Negative: 6 out of 177

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  1. anonymous
    Aug 26, 2008
    0
    Shame this film is wrecked by its obvious and heavy handed approach towards the iron curtain countries that it has turned into propaganda. once again, its a bit like "we love democracy so much, yeah!!!!!!"
  2. PrinsM.
    Mar 6, 2008
    1
    As far from reality as it is from being a good film.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Eric Hansen
    80
    Starts out dark and challenging then comes to a startlingly satisfying and warmly human conclusion that lingers long after the curtain has come down.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Derek Elley
    80
    Superbly cast drama… that looks to be a solid upscale attraction wherever the special chemistry of good writing and performances is appreciated.
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  3. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    50
    The Lives of Others wants us to see that the Stasi -- at least some of them -- were, like their Gestapo brethren, “just following orders." You can call that naive optimism on Donnersmarck's part, or historical revisionism of the sort duly lambasted by the current film version of Alan Bennett's "The History Boys." I, for one, tremble at the thought of what this young director does for an encore.
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