Paprika

Name: Paprika
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Animation
Released: May 25, 2007
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Katsunosuke Hori, Megumi Hayashibara, Toru Emori

2007

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 165 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 165 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: May 25, 2007 | R

Starring: Katsunosuke Hori, Megumi Hayashibara, Toru Emori

Summary: Dr. Atsuko Chiba is a genius scientist by day, and a kick-ass dream warrior named Paprika by night. In this psychedelic sci-fi adventure anime, it will take the skills of both women to save the world. (Sony Pictures Classics)

Director: Satoshi Kon

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Mystery, Animation

Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Andrea Gronvall

The intersections between sleep and waking, memory, cinema, and the Internet lead to a spectacular battle of titans who spring from the mind's darkest recesses. Read full review

John Anderson

Kon's best work yet. Read full review

David Ansen

It happens to be one of the most wildly (and disturbingly) inventive animated films I've seen. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Schizophrenia never looked so good or so mesmerizing as it does here, and Paprika, while certainly not suitable for kids, manages to capture the childlike, helter-skelter chaos and curiosity of the human mind better than any other animated film. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

I can't claim to have followed the story line of Paprika any better than I did "Pirates of the Caribbean," but this mind-blowing, adult animated adventure from Japan is half the length and maybe five times as much fun. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Paprika is a creatively dizzying and visually dazzling allegory about alternative realities. Read full review

Desson Thomson

It's best appreciated by assuming something of a dream state ourselves and enjoying the giddy flow. Read full review

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User Reviews

Hackuity

Jan 14, 2012

Satoshi Kon has been one of the most visionary plot and character designers in the history of animation: his premature death in 2010 meant much less chances to see another masterpiece with the same charm and thrill as Paprika, which is undoubtedly a modern classic. Ignoring its deep plotSatoshi Kon has been one of the most visionary plot and character designers in the history of animation: his premature death in 2010 meant much less chances to see another masterpiece with the same charm and thrill as Paprika, which is undoubtedly a modern classic. Ignoring its deep plot would mean ignoring the true roots of blockbuster bestsellers like Inception, and losing the film that will continue to inspire tons of science fiction plots in the future.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

256kbps

Jul 29, 2007

Absolutely incredible. I will have to see it many more times to fully appreciate all the levels of visual and philosophical interaction that was going on throughout the entire movie. Seeing the parade of inanimate objects on its own is worth the cost of admittance.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

TM.

Dec 4, 2007

Absolutely amazing. best film on dreams I have ever seen, and one of the best films of the decade. need to see it again to delve further into the dream.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

itsthenutshack

Oct 12, 2016

An incredible movie with outstanding animation and sound effects. I watched this movie while I was high and oh boy, sure it was something remarkable. This movie makes me feel as if animated movies aren't appreciated the way they should.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 21, 2021

This is a slightly eery and mildly sinister anime film - it made me think of the film Inception, in terms of discussions about being able to enter other peoples dreams and the like, plus the fact that its somewhat multi-layered . The animation is pretty decent, 2D but certainly engrossingThis is a slightly eery and mildly sinister anime film - it made me think of the film Inception, in terms of discussions about being able to enter other peoples dreams and the like, plus the fact that its somewhat multi-layered . The animation is pretty decent, 2D but certainly engrossing never the less. Its not really action packed as such, not at first certainly but the plot and the characters are intriguing enough to keep the viewer watching, as I say. I liked the music played in the background at times - quite atmospheric pieces that help you to feel the relevant emotion as felt by the character on screen - unsure, worried, excited/energetic etc.

I liked the way lighting was used within the animation at times, with some scenes being almost, if anything, too bright - with bold, vivid colours depicting the many items on the move, having been made real by the power of the dream (you'll have to watch it to see what I mean) and in other scenes, the dull, or dark, urban settings are clearly shown as just that, dark and dim. There is a certain metaphor element to this, I suppose.

I thought it was interesting how the scientist/doctor explained the scenarios, the talk about dreams and films interested me and there are some quite gripping moments, when things came to a head. There is some undoubtedly disturbing imagery present at around about an hour in to the film, which clearly justifies the 15 rating/certificate the film carries here in the UK. There is somewhat sexual imagery present, or what at first appears to be so, so be aware of that. Its certainly a quirky watch - a relatively immersive one at that.I would recommend this film to other fans of Satoshi Kon's work - this isn't your average anime film length show, thats for sure.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mapizarro

Oct 7, 2013

Last film of great anime films director, Satoshi Kon. "Paprika" is visual beauty and exotic. It's a ironic regard about Japanese society. Excessive obsession with technology, desire of power, problem of suicide, sexual misconduct with little girls. "Paprika" is a kabuki thriller. Kon hasLast film of great anime films director, Satoshi Kon. "Paprika" is visual beauty and exotic. It's a ironic regard about Japanese society. Excessive obsession with technology, desire of power, problem of suicide, sexual misconduct with little girls. "Paprika" is a kabuki thriller. Kon has great masterpiece. "Perfect Blue" is an inception, "Millennium Actress" is an intermezzo, "Tokyo Godfathers" is a rest and finally "Paprika" is most finale. As if it were a grand opera. "Paprika" is beautiful farewell.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

"Paprika" is not for the average joe and it never will be. Unfortunately, it is not really for the abstract artsy crowd either due to its surprisingly boring plot and resolution after one thinks about it for a while. There are not enough stimulating/creative visuals to warrant repeated"Paprika" is not for the average joe and it never will be. Unfortunately, it is not really for the abstract artsy crowd either due to its surprisingly boring plot and resolution after one thinks about it for a while. There are not enough stimulating/creative visuals to warrant repeated viewings to fully understand what it wants to say regarding reality vs. dreams. It is a concept that has already been explored to death in films and done much better. You know there's trouble when the visuals are mostly repeated and that they are only repeated just because the plot demands for them to be interwoven. When the visuals are both boring to look at and repetitious, it becomes taxing on the brain to want to decipher the film's mystery....and that ladies and gentlemen is not a fun time at the movies.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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34	#34 Best Movie of 2007
79	#79 Most Shared Movie of 2007