The Stranger

1991

2h 0m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

97%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Anila (Mamata Shankar) receives a letter from a long-lost uncle she last saw 35 years ago, who hopes to stay at her family home in Calcutta, India. Her husband, Subhindra (Depankar De), immediately suspects that this "uncle" may be an impostor. So when the stranger (Utpal Dutt) arrives, he's given the third degree by husband, friends and even the family lawyer. He's only accepted by Anila's young son (Bikram Bhattacharya), who is in thrall to his stories of global travel.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

A small, gentle, exquisitely realized comedy about, among other things, family loyalties and trust in a world in which traditions have been devalued.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 30, 2004

Full Review

Leah Garchik

San Francisco Chronicle

A fitting ending to Ray's 30-film career.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

It shows all the virtues of a master artist in full maturity.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Jimmy Cage

Jimmy Cage Movie Reviews (YouTube)

THE STRANGER is perhaps Satyajit Rays most personal and intellectual film. Outstandingly written and performed, this story brings us closer to the infinitely curious, compassionate and cosmopolitan voice of a unique director.

Rated: 8/10

Apr 25, 2022

Full Review

Katherine McLaughlin

VODzilla.co

Satyajit Ray's bittersweet and spirited swansong finds complex meaning through passionate debate.

Rated: 8.3/10

Mar 13, 2021

Full Review

Soham Gadre

Film Inquiry

Satyajit Ray's Agantuk (The Stranger) attempts two examinations of India - one of gender dynamics, as contained within the typical marriage, and the other a much more philosophical look.

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

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sourav c

The master's last piece with the great Utpal Dutta is a gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is a hidden gem of a movie reflecting profoundly on civilisation, culture and what it means to be educated.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Debsuvra G

Satyajit Ray's final film, Agantuk is very artfully crafted albeit with a deceptively simple story ruminating over the modern human society and its components. A movie with some of the finest actors of its time, Agantuk leaves a lasting impression with excellent acting performances over the board. Utpal Dutt obviously stole the show, his screen presence being spellbinding, and deliveries enthralling. Mamata Shankar as housewife Anila, Deepankar De as her husband and Bikram Bhattacharya as their wide-eyed son - all played their roles with utmost sincerity. Supporting actors were also well chosen, Rabi Ghosh and especially Dhritiman Chatterjee had stunning performance. Ray had shown such control over his content, such range of human emotions that his story brought to the screen that one can't help but wonder how deeply he reflected upon his own vast experience and feelings about the modern human society. Agantuk, with his inspiringly simple storyline, managed to almost effortlessly invoke questions about trust, values and tradition under the guise of an easygoing, feel-good movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/16

Full Review

Audience Member

Provocative story of honouring the family unit, suspicion and trust. The mystery of the supposed uncle is played out through the married couple dilemma of offering hospitality to a family member but also thinking they are being taken for a ride by a stranger. The audience are kept at the same level as the pair throughout and this gives it its edge.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best films to come out of the tradition of French New Wave and Italian Neo Realism. Satyajit Ray never ceases to astound.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

brilliant performance from Utpal Dutta real treat if you understand the bangla dialogues ..

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Satyajit Ray

Director

Dipankar Dey

Sudhindra Bose

Mamata Shankar

Anila Bose

Bikram Bhattacharya

Satyaki Bose

Utpal Dutt

Manomohan Mitra

Dhritiman Chatterji

Prithwish Sen Gupta

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Synopsis

Anila (Mamata Shankar) receives a letter from a long-lost uncle she last saw 35 years ago, who hopes to stay at her family home in Calcutta, India. Her husband, Subhindra (Depankar De), immediately suspects that this "uncle" may be an impostor. So when the stranger (Utpal Dutt) arrives, he's given the third degree by husband, friends and even the family lawyer. He's only accepted by Anila's young son (Bikram Bhattacharya), who is in thrall to his stories of global travel.

Director: Satyajit Ray
Producer: Daniel Toscan du Plantier, Gérard Depardieu
Screenwriter: Satyajit Ray
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Bangla
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 6, 2018
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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