The Last Circus

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The Last Circus

R

Released Aug 12, 2011

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A twisted love triangle develops among a Spanish clown (Carlos Areces), his cruel rival (Antonio de la Torre) and the rival's abused -- but lustful -- wife (Carolina Bang).

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Critics Consensus

The Last Circus is an uneven but winningly insane blend of hard violence, sex, black humor, and social satire.

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Greg Quill

Toronto Star

Basque director Álex de la Iglesia's exotic, surreal, hilarious, bloody and utterly explosive grand opus.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 1, 2011

Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

From the far-too-teeming brain of Spanish writer/director Alex de la Iglesia, The Last Circus is a bizarre, surreal, grotesque, fascinating, demanding, disappointing and ultimately exhausting political allegory that plays like a waking nightmare.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 30, 2011

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

It's not a pretty picture, but it is a hellaciously gorgeous and original film.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 16, 2011

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Emma Wolfe

SpookyAstronauts

I don't even know what I just watched.

Rated: 7/10

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

Any movie that starts with a clown wielding a machete is on the right track. Circus performers conscripted against their will to fight a war they neither believe in, nor have any interest in participating in. How can you go wrong?

Rated: A-

Jul 11, 2020

Full Review

Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

Comedies don't come any blacker than this, but few filmmakers are able to do more with their palette than De La Iglesia.

Jan 9, 2019

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alan g

Gratuitous violence nothing more.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Nad B

Wonderful to watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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nefasto r

Psychotic and dreamy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

While this film is not for a average film goer, you cannot deny the talent from acting,direction,cinematography,and make up design. This film is absolutly insane and unique. It's a love story with hints of war,horror and dread. If you are a film lover this is a must. This is a forgotten masterpiece and needs more attention

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is uneven, however, the crazy nature of the film and the interesting visuals, make this a fascinating watch. The more you think about the film afterwards, the more effective it becomes. Jack.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Visionary, disturbing, poetic... maybe not the best work of De la Iglesias but an ispirated one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Alex de la Iglesia

Director

Carlos Areces

Javier

Antonio de la Torre

Sergio

Carolina Bang

Natalia

Enrique Villén

Andrés

Raúl Arévalo

Carlos

The Last Circus: Official Clip - I'm Mad About You

1:45

The Last Circus: Official Clip - Javier Attacks Sergio

2:44

The Last Circus: Official Clip - The Hunting Dog

2:04

The Last Circus: Official Clip - The Ballad of the Sad Trumpet

2:14

The Last Circus: Official Clip - The Angel of Death

2:20

The Last Circus: Official Clip - I Decide What's Funny

2:18

The Last Circus: Official Clip - The Funny Clown and The Sad Clown

2:52

The Last Circus: Official Clip - Why Are You a Clown?

2:27

The Last Circus: Official Clip - The Diner

2:05

The Last Circus: Official Clip - Screwing Her Senseless

3:00

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Synopsis

A twisted love triangle develops among a Spanish clown (Carlos Areces), his cruel rival (Antonio de la Torre) and the rival's abused -- but lustful -- wife (Carolina Bang).

Director: Alex de la Iglesia
Producer: Vérane Frédiani, Gerardo Herrero, Franck Ribière
Screenwriter: Alex de la Iglesia
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Tornasol Films S.A.
Rating: R (Brutal Violence Throughout|Bloody Violence Throughout|Language|Nudity|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
Original Language: European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 19, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.0K
Runtime: 1h 47m

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