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Melancholia
2011 136 min Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden R 16+
★7.4
Drama, Science Fiction
Director: Lars von Trier
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Description
Two sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide with Earth.
Budget:
$7.4M
US Gross:
$3.03M
Worldwide:
$15.95M
Starring
Kirsten Dunst
Actor
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Actor
Kiefer Sutherland
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 2011
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 2012
— Best Actress
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Production Design
Golden Eagle 2012
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 2012
— Best European Film
Saturn Awards 2012
— Best International Feature Film
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Actress
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Film Editing
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Production Design
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Picture
César Awards 2012
— Best International Feature Film
Cannes Film Festival 2011
— Palme d'Or
European Film Awards 2011
— Best Cinematography
Key opinion
Melancholia is a divisive yet visually arresting exploration of depression and apocalypse, characterized by its slow, meditative pacing and powerful imagery. While many viewers praise the performances and the film's unique, nihilistic atmosphere, others find it emotionally cold, disjointed, or unnecessarily tedious.
| Acting | Kirsten Dunst delivers a career-best performance that authentically captures the numbness and detachment of severe depression. | |
| Cinematography | The opening sequence, featuring hypnotic, high-concept visuals set to Wagner, is widely considered a masterful technical achievement. | |
| Screenplay | The film’s two-part structure effectively contrasts the social superficiality of a wedding with the raw, existential truth of an impending apocalypse. | |
| Pacing | The glacial, contemplative tempo rewards those interested in a character-driven study of grief, but alienates viewers who prefer a more plot-heavy or engaging narrative. | |
| Emotion | The film's emotional impact is polarized; some find it a profound and cathartic experience, while others describe it as sterile, emotionally hollow, and pretentious. |