Antichrist

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Antichrist

2009

1h 44m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

178 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

While a married couple (Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg) is having sex, their infant son in a nearby room falls out a window to his death. She becomes distraught and is hospitalized, but her husband, who is a psychiatrist, attempts to treat her. Deciding that she needs to face her fears, he takes her to a cabin in the woods where she spent a previous summer with the boy. Once they are there, she becomes more unhinged and starts perpetrating sexual violence on her husband and herself.

Critics Consensus

Gruesome, explicit and highly controversial; Lars Von Triers arthouse-horror, though beautifully shot, is no easy ride.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Antichrist is deftly made, visually atmospheric and has, at its heart, two of the rawest, bravest performances you will probably ever see. It's also horrible and therein lies the rub, I suppose.

Aug 29, 2018

Full Review

Larry Gross

Film Comment Magazine

There will be no thumbs up or down ... [The film] is neither disgusting ... nor is it one of the great films. It is a transitional work made by an artist clearly in crisis.

Sep 24, 2014

Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

Of course, von Trier wants us to react, to be repulsed, shocked, offended. Mission accomplished.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 29, 2010

Full Review

Angelos Koutsourakis

PopMatters

von Trier does not hesitate to engage into a dialogue and thus experiment with mainstream cinema, in order to reshape the relationship between film production and reception...we can see Antichrist as a film that thematises the medium itself...

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Whether [Von Trier's] goading incites a reaction of sheer revulsion or artistic admiration depends greatly on the viewer. He must, however, be praised for stimulating a fierce reaction.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Ezequiel Obregón

EscribiendoCine

... An emotional tour de force, in which captivating moments coexist with others that border on the ridiculous. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jun 7, 2023

Full Review

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Euler N

More a drama/tragedy than a horror movie, except for the last 30 minutes. And the horror is more like "slasher" than anything related to religion. The title does not fit the plot. Visually shocking, but not psychologically deep. Anyway, the images are beautiful, in a gothic style. And the pace is slow, but not boring.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

W C S

Not really even sure what I just watched, to be honest! My meager brain doesn't possess the literary analysis power to unpack this film. Thus, I finished this movie feeling confused and a little unsettled.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Lloyd S

Sick and boring. Waste of time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Mason M

I have been wanting to watch this film for the better part of year, but I never brought myself to do it until this morning due to its reputation. But I'm very glad I finally watched this film. This is one of the most emotionally shocking and revealing films I've ever seen, exploring the twisted human nature that isn't often discussed. This equally shocking and personal study on nature is very effective as a horror film. I wish von Trier made more horror films because his use of emotional and surrealist imagery is sure to terrify. Everything about this film is amazingly done, the intense performances, the stunning cinematography and use of images, the impeccable sound design, the use of setting as a character of its own, it's got it all. The scene on the train is one of the best scenes von Trier has ever put to screen. And though the final act has quite the reputation, it's hard to deny how effective it is as a sequence. I'm still trying to process this film in my head, and I'm definitely going to need to rewatch it sometime soon.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

Full Review

Adam B

One of the worst things I've ever seen

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Robert P

This is great, i hate it. Bro was really like: "I can fix her"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

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Lars von Trier

Director

Willem Dafoe

He

Charlotte Gainsbourg

She

Storm Acheche Sahlstrøm

Nic

Lars von Trier

Screenwriter

Meta Louise Foldager

Producer

Irresistible

22%

32%

Irresistible

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Synopsis

While a married couple (Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg) is having sex, their infant son in a nearby room falls out a window to his death. She becomes distraught and is hospitalized, but her husband, who is a psychiatrist, attempts to treat her. Deciding that she needs to face her fears, he takes her to a cabin in the woods where she spent a previous summer with the boy. Once they are there, she becomes more unhinged and starts perpetrating sexual violence on her husband and herself.

Director: Lars von Trier
Producer: Meta Louise Foldager
Screenwriter: Lars von Trier
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Trollhättan Film AB, Memfis Film AB, ARTE G.E.I.E, Zentropa International, Slot Machine, Film i Väst, DR, Lucky Red, arte France Cinéma, ZDF Arte, SVT
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 23, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $397.1K
Runtime: 1h 44m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)