Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Play trailer

2:44

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

R

Released Jan 16, 2015

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

361 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

A thrilling leap forward for director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is an ambitious technical showcase powered by a layered story and outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Edward Norton.

Read Critics Reviews

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It's not perfect (it can be exhausting at times, actually), but it says a lot about people, narcissism and the co-dependent relationship between actor and celebrity.

Rated: B+

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

A thunderbolt reminder of the kind of quick-thinking, quick-talking, quick-witted characters that Keaton used to specialize in, and Iñárritu finds the right style to showcase his gifts.

Jun 18, 2016

Full Review

Nick Schager

Esquire Magazine

Even when Keaton is transforming his character's stock issues into ones that feel unique and genuine, he's undercut by his director's flashiness, right up to an on-the-nose finale.

Feb 22, 2016

Full Review

Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

What Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu was able to achieve in this film is still astounding to me.

Jun 17, 2024

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

...a film that is just as much about the film industry itself, as it is about the pursuit of happiness, and our ridiculously desperate need to be admired, recognized, and respected by people that shouldn’t really matter to us.

Apr 15, 2024

Full Review

Angelos Koutsourakis

PopMatters

If the theater frame story in Birdman plays a self-reflexive role, this is nothing but a manifestation of Hollywood's need to return back to its narrative roots.

Feb 21, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Andrew R

Incredible editing and vfx make the whole thing feel like a stage play, which is just right.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Wyeth C

An interesting film, definitely not for everyone but an interesting film that is worth seeing. It puts me on edge in a good way where I wonder how will everything go wrong like a car crash I can’t look away from in slow motion that I definitely need to rewatch sometime.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

Jose S

What do we talk about when we talk about love, life, loss and eternity?Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. It´s better to embrace the unexpected virtue of ignorance...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Donald D

I so wanted to love this but I just didn’t. If it had something to say I missed it completely. Struggling to even give it 3 stars. I cannot recommend this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

Nick R

Not without it's flaws, 'Birdman' is still a well-crafter film with lots of unique touches and bold direction with it's one-shot styled editing. Not to mention that it's filled with great performances.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

positive m

Honestidad Autorregulación Espiritualidad Amor

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Director

Michael Keaton

Riggan

Zach Galifianakis

Jake

Edward Norton

Mike

Andrea Riseborough

Laura

Amy Ryan

Sylvia

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Chef

87%

85%

Chef

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Chef

Wish I Was Here

45%

59%

Wish I Was Here

Watchlist

While We're Young

84%

51%

While We're Young

Watchlist

TRAILER

for While We're Young

The Comedian

24%

28%

The Comedian

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Comedian

Demolition

54%

55%

Demolition

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Demolition

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Emma Stone’s 10 Best Movies

Rank Michael Keaton’s 10 Best Movies

Definitive Naomi Watts Performances

Birdman: Trailer 1

2:44

Birdman: Teaser Trailer 1

1:46

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Producer: Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole
Screenwriter: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, M Prods, Le Grisbi
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.3M
Runtime: 1h 59m

Most Popular at Home Now