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Diva

Play trailer Poster for Diva R Released Apr 16, 1982 2h 5m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Diva

Diva

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Diva

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Movie Info

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)
$73.4K
Runtime
2h 5m
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