Melancholia

Name: Melancholia
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
Released: November 11, 2011
Duration: 137 min
Rating: 80

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 513 Ratings

See All

6.7

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 513 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Melancholia

Now Playing: Melancholia

Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Films | Release Date: November 11, 2011 | R

Summary: In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine and Michael are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire, and brother-in-law John. Despite Claire's best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia isIn this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine and Michael are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire, and brother-in-law John. Despite Claire's best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth. (Magnolia Pictures)… Expand

Director: Lars von Trier

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 137 mins

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Rene Rodriguez

Nov 17, 2011

Leave it to von Trier to conceive an intergalactic sci-fi metaphor for a psychological disorder – and then make it work so astonishingly well. Read full review

100

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Oct 25, 2011

Melancholia hovers in ambiguity with riveting aesthetic prowess. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Dec 1, 2011

Melancholia is an intense, exhausting experience. That may not sound appealing, and for some, it won't be. But nor should it be off-putting. Proceed with caution, perhaps. But proceed nevertheless. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Nov 9, 2011

The grand concept is really just a vehicle for a more intimate study of depression and its dangerous, shifting polarities. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Nov 17, 2011

As von Trier's ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy, Melancholia is a broodingly downbeat self-portrait but also the inspiring work of an artist of seemingly boundless imaginative power. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Nov 8, 2011

Melancholia represents von Trier at his best and worst. Visually and thematically, Melancholia is a rich motion picture, full of nuances. Unfortunately, in his pursuit of an artistic vision, von Trier has thrown logic, physics, and coherence out the window. Read full review

Rex Reed

Nov 8, 2011

Melancholia is his latest pile of undiluted drivel, nauseatingly filmed by a wonky hand-held camera and featuring a crazy, mismatched ensemble headed by Kirsten Dunst, who won an acting award in Cannes last year for looking totally catatonic. Read full review

SEE ALL 40 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

MorriBey

Nov 12, 2011

Weird Weird Weird. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful. It all begins to make sense towards the end so all the questions and confusion of the beginning makes sense. If you are patient enough and curious enough you will be greatly rewarded. Make time for the movie. Understand that it will be great.Weird Weird Weird. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful. It all begins to make sense towards the end so all the questions and confusion of the beginning makes sense. If you are patient enough and curious enough you will be greatly rewarded. Make time for the movie. Understand that it will be great. You only get to see such a movie maybe only once a decade.… Expand

15 of 21 users found this helpful156

beeanadou

Dec 4, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Even the end of the world would not unite us. It would be better we panic in our own ways and be unhappy or whatever till the last minute. The movie presents desperation and uneasiness really well, and who knows a shoddy wood tent would give us a last comfort of this depressing ending.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Hipsteran

Nov 16, 2011

It's pretty impressive that Lars Von Trier always manages to make movies that are always controversial among both critics and the audience. Melancholia is certainly one of them. We see death as a main topic here; depression, dysfunctional families, wedding... Some might say it is dark, longIt's pretty impressive that Lars Von Trier always manages to make movies that are always controversial among both critics and the audience. Melancholia is certainly one of them. We see death as a main topic here; depression, dysfunctional families, wedding... Some might say it is dark, long and slow. And in fact they are right. However, weirdly this makes you feel every damn emotion it the picture, you almost feel like you're a part of the movie. That's why Melancholia is a success for the director. With is multi dimensional script, great acting and moving visuals (the opening scene) it is one of the best movies of the year.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

beingryanjude

Sep 1, 2014

With such powerful beauty, the film leaves you with much more than "melancholia"; just as, Kirsten Dunst gives you the most profound performance of her career.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Trev29

Dec 18, 2012

A powerful indie film, that can be quite difficult to watch, but is really fascinating, spectacularly shot, and very well acted. This isn't a film to sit back and enjoy, but to think about once the credits role up.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DeeperIn2Movies

Dec 12, 2011

"Melancholia may be the most depressing film of the yearâ

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

montecristo1976

Dec 28, 2011

What a pretentious, long, boring and empty movie. Another "style over substance" film. I found the Kirstin Dunst character very annoying, and the plot was disjointed and incoherent. By the time I was halfway into the movie, I was actually hoping the fictional planet would wipe out all of theWhat a pretentious, long, boring and empty movie. Another "style over substance" film. I found the Kirstin Dunst character very annoying, and the plot was disjointed and incoherent. By the time I was halfway into the movie, I was actually hoping the fictional planet would wipe out all of the characters involved.
This movie is LONG AND DRAGGY. I actually walked out, and I almost never do that for a movie I paid money to see.… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

SEE ALL 111 REVIEWS

39	#39 Best Movie of 2011
45	#45 Most Discussed Movie of 2011
36	#36 Most Shared Movie of 2011