Death and the Maiden

Name: Death and the Maiden
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: December 23, 1994
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver

1994

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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Death And The Maiden

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Movie Details & Credits

Fine Line Features | Release Date: December 23, 1994 | TV-MA

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver

Summary: A chance encounter enables a woman to turn the tables on the sadistic doctor who tortured her 15 years earlier.
(New Line Cinema)

Director: Roman Polanski

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 103 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

William Arnold

It's an immensely successful movie - and far and away the most emotionally charged, psychologically uneasy and diabolically suspenseful thriller Polanski's made since his heyday. [27 Jan 1995, p. 26]

Todd McCarthy

As vivid and suspenseful as Roman Polanski has made this claustrophobic tale of a torture victim turning the tables on her putative tormentor, one is still left with a film in which each character represents a mouthpiece for an ideology. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The material is well served by director Roman Polanski, who knows well how to instill a subtle, claustrophobic sense of dread in an audience and has put together a rather elegant potboiler. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Polanski directs the film without a wasting a moment. The occasional humor does nothing to relieve tension but, as in a Hitchcock picture, has a way of increasing it. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Even though he's psychologically expanded his source, the material is a bit too schematic to work as much more than a scaled-down thriller. Read full review

David Sterritt

Sigourney Weaver isn't quite up to her most demanding scenes, but Ben Kingsley is expertly enigmatic as the stranger, and Stuart Wilson is excellent as the husband who doesn't know whom to believe. [27 Jan 1995, p. 14]

Noel Murray

Weaver's overacting and Dorfman's bold-faced dialogue oversell the scenario. Only Kingsley's sly turn gives Death And The Maiden any real feeling of disquiet. Read full review

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User Reviews

mymom51

Sep 19, 2013

Simply one of the best movies done on the aftermath of the South American dictatorships. We should never forget the tyranny of the Catholic Church over the centuries and the legacy it left behind. You don't know if she is crazy or not. She was an unknown at the time but you could tell sheSimply one of the best movies done on the aftermath of the South American dictatorships. We should never forget the tyranny of the Catholic Church over the centuries and the legacy it left behind. You don't know if she is crazy or not. She was an unknown at the time but you could tell she was on her way up.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Hyliad

Oct 7, 2011

Simply awesome: one place only, but... The film is smart and leaded by three amazing actors. The highlight are the numerous dialogues between complicated characters, with every defends his own point of view. And no flashback, no "tadam!" revelations, the viewer makes his own reflections, andSimply awesome: one place only, but... The film is smart and leaded by three amazing actors. The highlight are the numerous dialogues between complicated characters, with every defends his own point of view. And no flashback, no "tadam!" revelations, the viewer makes his own reflections, and it's the evidence it is a good movie...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Jun 14, 2020

Considering what this movie's about, it's nearly impossible to talk about any of it without discussing the inherently problematic nature behind Roman Polanski directing it. If it were up to me, the man would've no longer been working after the year 1978. And, in this alternative timeline,Considering what this movie's about, it's nearly impossible to talk about any of it without discussing the inherently problematic nature behind Roman Polanski directing it. If it were up to me, the man would've no longer been working after the year 1978. And, in this alternative timeline, I'm almost certain Ariel Dorfman's "Death And The Maiden" would have gotten picked up and adapted into a fantastic film, regardless of who directed it. "Death And The Maiden" is a lot like James Foley's 1992 adaptation of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," in that regard. The direction itself? It's fine. A couple interesting little shots and camera movements here and there, but nothing too crazy. The material, though? Man, oh, man. This is just a terrific story, layered with intrigue and the slimy, cognitive-dissonance-inducing realities of the world we all inhabit. It's hauntingly staged and executed from a narrative standpoint, featuring some truly thought-provoking musings on justice, truth and the sliding scale of the human condition. The acting is to be commended as well, with high marks going to Ben Kingsley, especially. I was really riveted by this. I just wish the powers-that-be weren't so tone deaf in their selecting of someone to bring such an impactful story as this to the big screen.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

netflic

Oct 16, 2020

It is a psychological thriller by a famous (some might say "infamous") director Roman Polanski. This movie is not new, he made it back in 1994 but I never saw it before.
Most of it happens inside one room, with only three actors, so it could be quite a low budget film. For a thriller it isIt is a psychological thriller by a famous (some might say "infamous") director Roman Polanski. This movie is not new, he made it back in 1994 but I never saw it before.
Most of it happens inside one room, with only three actors, so it could be quite a low budget film. For a thriller it is made remarkably well, it keeps you engaged almost to the end. Excellent performances from all three. Even though it lacks the depth of a real drama, it is still a very good piece of entertainment albeit dark.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JayH

May 10, 2009

Intense and compelling, excellent direction by Roman Polanski. Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley are amazing. Never a dull moment, very fast pacing. Fascinating story. I was not fully satisfied by the ending, but not sure if there would be any better way

1 of 1 users found this helpful

MartyG

Jun 25, 2008

The issue is very real but this movie treatment is too obvious in its plot development and the ending just fades away. Weaver is not convincing, her husband has no spine, they have no chemistry. Kingsley makes it watchable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JaredC.

Aug 8, 2007

I couldn't wait tell this movie came out on DVD, until I found nothing in the store but boring old 1940 movies. Two years later I found it in a store, but that was a time that I didn't have much taste or appetite for that kind of genre. But I watched it and I didn't mind it I couldn't wait tell this movie came out on DVD, until I found nothing in the store but boring old 1940 movies. Two years later I found it in a store, but that was a time that I didn't have much taste or appetite for that kind of genre. But I watched it and I didn't mind it but could need some work on a few things.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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