Nymphomaniac: Volume II

Name: Nymphomaniac: Volume II
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Released: April 4, 2014
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connie Nielsen, Jamie Bell, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 141 Ratings

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 141 Ratings

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Nymphomaniac: Volume II

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: April 4, 2014

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connie Nielsen, Jamie Bell, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe

Summary: Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, recounts the erotic experiences of her adulthood.

Director: Lars von Trier

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 123 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Village Voice Michelle Orange

Apr 1, 2014

Nymphomaniac is a jigsaw opus, an extended and generally exquisitely crafted riff. Story, theme, and character (despite Gainsbourg's captivations) bow to von Trier's gamesmanship, which makes his own promiscuities the film's true subject. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter Todd McCarthy

Dec 17, 2013

Volume two gets down in ways the first half doesn't, although anything resembling real sensuality remains MIA. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Feb 20, 2014

The point is that you could watch these films for four hours, then spend 14 arguing about them – about whether sex, for vor Trier, is an eternal human mystery, or a cosmic joke at our expense. Read full review

The Playlist Ben Brock

Mar 20, 2014

If you thought Vol. I was a brilliant piece of provocation, then Vol. II might disappoint you with its detour into (relative) conventionality, its attacks on arthouse artificiality, and its apparently very different politics. But if you found Vol. I to be as silly as some did, then Vol. II suggests something interesting: Lars von Trier might agree. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike Scott

Apr 4, 2014

It all adds up to weave an engaging story, and not just for its wealth of titillations. Many of the sex scenes, in fact, feel more clinical than anything else. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Apr 3, 2014

Even at its most depraved, Joe’s journey, and her confession to Seligman, are still compelling enough to propel Volume II until the story becomes hopelessly over-plotted. Read full review

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

Apr 3, 2014

Here we go again. Danish director Lars von Trier has pumped out Nymphomaniac: Vol II just a few weeks after “Vol. I” came out. And the results are the same: zero stars. Read full review

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User Reviews

Markolius

Dec 18, 2014

Lars Von Trier's particular, fantastical, and existential depiction of human nature- the relentless betrayal, humanity's seemingly divinely fated inability to avoid suffering, and our infinitely unique interpretation of that suffering -is vividly and beautifully shown. I'm not saying youLars Von Trier's particular, fantastical, and existential depiction of human nature- the relentless betrayal, humanity's seemingly divinely fated inability to avoid suffering, and our infinitely unique interpretation of that suffering -is vividly and beautifully shown. I'm not saying you have to agree with his interpretation, but you will not find a more completely rendered and thought provoking execution of it in all of film. Many have tried, but Lars Von Trier holds this mocking throne highest. He screws you over (especially and most necessarily at the very end) with no less drama, irony, and poetic injustice than Brutus did Julius Cesear or Judas did Jesus Christ. Nymphomania (volumes I & II) is his magnificently harmonized opus to this terrifying but undeniable expression of humanity.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

blockofcheese

Aug 8, 2014

Continues right from the end of Volume I and it stills holds that erotica epic movie feel. I love the cinematographer on both films, Manuel Alberto Claro. They have a uniqueness to the whole composition of both Volumes. this is one of my favouirte directors Lars von Trier, another favouriteContinues right from the end of Volume I and it stills holds that erotica epic movie feel. I love the cinematographer on both films, Manuel Alberto Claro. They have a uniqueness to the whole composition of both Volumes. this is one of my favouirte directors Lars von Trier, another favourite of mine he did is the 1996 film Breaking the Waves, which also features Stellan Skarsgård, who is a brillaint actore, also think this is Charlotte Gainsbourg's break through films A+++++!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NightReviews

Apr 4, 2014

Leaving us on the cusp of coming…to any real closure with our young protagonist Joe (Stacy Martin), von Trier throws quite the curve ball with his character and the overall story, allowing the narrative to take an unexpected turn. After five chapters in the life of Joe’s deranged and numbLeaving us on the cusp of coming…to any real closure with our young protagonist Joe (Stacy Martin), von Trier throws quite the curve ball with his character and the overall story, allowing the narrative to take an unexpected turn. After five chapters in the life of Joe’s deranged and numb life, we continue into her sexual escapades as she becomes a woman, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg. Nymphomaniac: Volume II picks up exactly where Volume I left off, and doesn’t leave any sex or shock behind. Instead, Volume II is the overly stimulated, ultra aroused, and intellectually charged sexual explicit drama that Volume I never was.

Although the film was never meant to be split into two parts, and von Trier intended the film to be his original five and a half hour long cut, Volume II is the complex and deep answer to a conventionally linear sexually charged character piece that was Volume I. Think of Nymphomaniac in the same way as you would Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill saga. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is soaked with violence and bloodshed, making great use of the magic of movie spectacle and serving as a valiant homage to so many of the films Tarantino grew up with and loved.Kill Bill: Vol. 2, a film that infuses so many of the complex philosophies Tarantino has cherished, as well as surely inducting many of his own radical and absurd justifications without much violence, spectacle or gore, the film becomes a philosophical, witty and complex story with an understanding of his protagonist’s psyche and the reason behind her vengeance. Now picture Nymphomaniac: Volume II in the same way as Kill Bill: Vol. 2, but instead of violence, substitute it for graphic nudity and sexual acts (although it is not nearly as subtracted as the violence in Vol.2 of Kill Bill). So basically, the second film in von Trier’s carnal opus is a long-winded, understanding of Joe’s addiction and the ways in which she tries to subdue it, or if anything, control it.

Volume II descends to the deep and dark corners of a woman who no longer finds simple penetrative intercourse pleasurable. When sex is not enough, what happens? If Joe is any indication of real world nymphomaniacs and the paths they follow in order to find pleasure, von Trier never prepares us for the unexpected directions Joe goes, desperately to find pleasure, at any cost.

There is no doubting that Joe finds erotic pleasure in the most taboo places and scenarios. She purposely pulls the wires from her car to attract a large crowd of men, who she presumably goes back to have sex with as the camera pans out. She finds strangers on the street, specifically two black men, who so happen to be brothers, to penetrate her at the same time. The scene, which is a big production still that was used towards the marketing of the film, is less graphic and erotic than what you would imagine, and instead more hysterical as it unfolds, especially with the quarrels of the two men. In Joe’s last attempt to find pleasure with a **** that has failed her, Joe finds a man by the name of K (Jamie Bell), an expert in the brutal art of bondage/BDSM whom she finds stimulating through violence and pain. Her relationship is one that she sacrifices the most for as she becomes a woman and a business professional, compromising her health, the little family Joe has, and of course, the limits of her addiction. Volume II of the saga explores the ways in which people find meaning in their addictions without penetration, although they are overall, mostly naturally and habitually inclined to express themselves through intercourse.

If you know anything about Lars von Trier, you would know that he is a man with many phobias. An intense fear of flying and various bouts of serious depression, the director is a man who implements so many of his phobias onto his characters, especially Nymphomaniac. Ironically enough, since his declaration to never be part of interviews or press conferences again since his last conference at Cannes accused him of loving Hitler and being a Satanist, Volume II has a lot of bottled up feelings the director has been dying to express–in controversial fashion.

Throughout Joe’s narration of her life to Seligman (Skarsgård), he describes her actions to those of a man’s behaviour of sex. For the most part, Joe is always powerless to her men, especially in the scenes with K (Bell) who appropriately gives her the alias Fido, a name predominantly used for a dog. Joe is submissive and obedient to anything K says, including tying her to couches, chairs or asked to stand still, unflinching, regardless of the painful outcome. Although Joe seems to give all the power to her sexual partners, there is no denying the control she has over them, mentally persuading them to adhere to her requests.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

Apr 4, 2014

This is undoubtedly more of a piece than the first film, but the two should be viewed in tandem and despite flaws are well worth sitting through even as a four hour plus marathon. Charlotte Gainsbourg takes over the central role from Stacy Martin and by now one has accepted the improbableThis is undoubtedly more of a piece than the first film, but the two should be viewed in tandem and despite flaws are well worth sitting through even as a four hour plus marathon. Charlotte Gainsbourg takes over the central role from Stacy Martin and by now one has accepted the improbable scenario connecting chapters. This second part flows a lot better than the first and the screenplay touching on some really provocative themes, including race, paedophilia and gender in equality, is handled in an interesting and thought provoking manner. The ending ties things up effectively and somewhat surprisingly.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

hugoferreira

Aug 28, 2018

The second volume takes on a darker tone of it's previous and you get the feeling that Lars looses a bit of track in the second part of the epic. The film itself separated from it's predecessor is weak and a bit hollow film. It gets a better view of the sexuality part but the storytellingThe second volume takes on a darker tone of it's previous and you get the feeling that Lars looses a bit of track in the second part of the epic. The film itself separated from it's predecessor is weak and a bit hollow film. It gets a better view of the sexuality part but the storytelling part takes a huge left turn in this film. The ending is the perfect finally, it's the changing detail in the film. Without it and it's first volume the movie would be dull and not so fascinating. Everything glued together and the series becomes an erotic and human epic. Time to check it out and enjoy it, but not to much ;).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieReviews

Apr 4, 2014

"Nymphomaniac: Vol. II" is greedy, it goes too far with sexuality, in Volume I, it was continuing the story, here, it is overloaded with sexuality that isn't necessary and won't affect the story if it was decreased a bit. I hate the ending of the film, it is disrespectful to the audience who"Nymphomaniac: Vol. II" is greedy, it goes too far with sexuality, in Volume I, it was continuing the story, here, it is overloaded with sexuality that isn't necessary and won't affect the story if it was decreased a bit. I hate the ending of the film, it is disrespectful to the audience who waited two hours just to find out satisfactory after being temporarily depressed for four hours in two movies. As for the bright side, this is serious filmmaking as I said before, the actors are all winners and the two Volumes won't be forgotten by people for a long time.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

elitepredetor99

Aug 1, 2017

Let me start off this review by expressing how **** annoying the movies main characters were, both the mentally ill women and that old man pissed me off till no end.this mentally ill piece of **** women explains in chapters through out volume I&II how she has **** up so many people's lifeLet me start off this review by expressing how **** annoying the movies main characters were, both the mentally ill women and that old man pissed me off till no end.this mentally ill piece of **** women explains in chapters through out volume I&II how she has **** up so many people's life selfishly and without remorse, while she explains this it annoys the viewer seeing how much of a piece of **** selfish person she is. After each chapter after she is done explaining how she destroyed someones life this **** retarded old piece of **** man keeps emphasising with her and telling her how she was innocent and right even though, she left her husband and children for some **** up weird fetish, how she ruined a strangers marriage for sex and her own pleasure, and so on. But this **** old man won't stop emphasising with her which annoyed me soon much that I felt like breaking my screen, I don't know who was more annoying this piece of **** women who destroyed so much lives just for sex and pleasure or this piece of **** old man who should of died long ago. All this old **** does is emphases and relate that whores sins to fishes and other bull**** things like a stain on the wall … Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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