Diva

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Diva

R

Released Apr 16, 1982

2h 5m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Jules (Frédéric Andréi) goes on the run from every conceivable pursuer -- from drug dealers and music pirates to the cops -- after obtaining a recording of the woman of his dreams, the never-recorded opera star Cynthia Hawkins (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez).

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Critics Consensus

Beineix combines unique cinematography, an intelligent script, and a brilliant soundtrack to make Diva a stylishly memorable film.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

[Director Jean-Jacques] Beineix may not be interested in what’s underneath, but he has a great feeling for surfaces. A chase through the Métro and an escape to a pinball-machine and video-game arcade are so ravishing that they’re funny, intentionally.

Sep 19, 2023

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Dwight Brown

Sepia

Yes, this film is a little contrived at times, but it’s still one of the best pictures I've seen all year. Hats off to the French!

Aug 10, 2022

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Melissa Anderson

4Columns

Beineixs film delights, if not overwhelms, the eye. (And in its obsession with the beauty and power of the human voice, Diva might also be thought of as an illustration of the cinéma du listen). Its bewitchery hasnt dimmed more than forty years later.

Apr 29, 2022

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Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

This movie is the very embodiment of style over substance and succeeds wildly. It is advised that you let “Diva” sweep over you, like the tsunami of action that it is. Don’t try to keep up, you’ll drown.

Sep 3, 2025

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Lynden Barber

Limelight

I was no opera fan at the time, indeed had found that musical form somewhat alienating, and yet after being mesmerised by the aria performed by soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez near the start of the film, the barriers began to melt.

Jul 29, 2022

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Judy Stone

San Francisco Examiner

In his first feature-length film, director Jean-Jacques Beineix shows a fanciful, tongue-in-cheek talent for spoofing old mysteries, creating incongruously beautiful photographic images and mixing it all up with a touch of Zen. Delightfully original.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 11, 2021

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SYLVANA O

I saw the original in theater back in the 80's and own the DVD. I watch from time to time and it's always a treat. J'aime pas ca! lol!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

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Ed .

Attitude, Operatude and Dark Style over Substance 4 star tude, 1 star plot, 4 star influencer I'll weigh the plot doubly, so that's an average of 2.5 stars overall. The Asian girl is utterly ridiculous. I and my friends watching this film with me did not especially care much about the characters. With a reasonably plausible story, this would have been a fine film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $73,400.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

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S R

1001 movies to see before you die (added later). A well made and entertaining dramatic thriller with a soft French feel to its thrills. The villains were threatening, yet simple to me. I enjoyed the diva who was an opera singer who refused to be recorded, but ironically her best fan is the only one who does. I don't plan to see it again, but the streets of Paris and the chase scenes were fun. RUS.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

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Paul G

In a film filled with symbolism and circular resonance, a young bike messenger (Frederic Andrei) worships an opera diva's music with near-sexual passion, even as he illegally records her concert. Director Jean-Jacques Beineix's consummately French use of symbols will delight any literature student: for example, the bundle of dirty money tossed disdainfully out the window lands next to a blind accordion player, whose music turns out to be what has been playing all along in the earphone of Priest, the punk assassin (Dominique Pinon). C'est bon! (This film is one of my Paris favorites.)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/23

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Audience Member

My all time favourite movie!!! Just makes me feel so happy and warm by the end. It really makes me feel wonderful after a bad day. Also fantastic performances from the whole cast, very beautiful cinematography and locations. The music is also simply outstanding (I even have my own vinyl copy. Would recommend this film to anyone who loves French New Wave and fun feel-good movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Jean-Jacques Beineix

Director

Frederic Andrei

Jules

Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez

Cynthia Hawkins

Richard Bohringer

Gorodish

Thuy An Luu

Alba

Jacques Fabbri

Commissaire Jean Saporta

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Synopsis

Jules (Frédéric Andréi) goes on the run from every conceivable pursuer -- from drug dealers and music pirates to the cops -- after obtaining a recording of the woman of his dreams, the never-recorded opera star Cynthia Hawkins (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez).

Director: Jean-Jacques Beineix
Production Co: Greenwich Film Productions, Les Films Galaxie, France 2
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 16, 1982, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 14, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.7K
Runtime: 2h 5m

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