Blue Velvet

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Blue Velvet

R

Released Sep 19, 1986

2h 0m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns home after his father has a stroke. When he discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field, Beaumont teams up with detective's daughter Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery. They believe beautiful lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) may be connected with the case, and Beaumont finds himself becoming drawn into her dark, twisted world, where he encounters sexually depraved psychopath Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper).

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Critics Consensus

If audiences walk away from this subversive, surreal shocker not fully understanding the story, they might also walk away with a deeper perception of the potential of film storytelling.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Love it or hate it, see it you must.

Apr 9, 2020

Full Review

David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Every viewing yields new insights. A berserko modern classic.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 2, 2016

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The film releases a toxic narcosis of fear.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 1, 2016

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

With every angle you look at this film, there is a new meaning and purpose to be found. The amount of intention and craft from Lynch is almost overwhelming. Undoubtedly one of Lynch's best works.

Dec 8, 2024

Full Review

Michelle Swope

Elements of Madness

From the opening shots of blood red roses in front of a white picket fence below a blue sky to the Lynchian red curtains, Frederick Elmes’s legendary cinematography gives the film a dreamy ambiance and otherworldly quality.

Oct 22, 2024

Full Review

Luke Y. Thompson

ComingSoon.net

It was the first time on the screen that [David Lynch's] dark subconscious met, clashed, and contrasted with his all-American Boy Scout personality.

Jun 27, 2024

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Mon B

It's scary what we thought we liked in the 80's and 90's. They snuck David Lynch into our world and we got screwed. This is a terrible movie, making good actors look bad, scenes that no one wants to see but will scar you for life. When I see David Lynch attached to any project, I run far away. Don't fall for the faux artist bs. He dresses garbage up to look pretty, and that's it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

Full Review

Anthony J

Layer upon layer of weird cannot mask the lack of much of a plot and some less than stellar acting - and absurd overacting from Hopper.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

M. I

Excellent movie that depicts the difference between good and evil with perfection. It's been decades since I last saw Blue Velvet but the experience has stayed with me. Diddy & Cassie Ventura brought this movie to mind. The twisted relationship between psychopathic villain, Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) and Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) bears some similarity. I think everyone should see Blue Velvet at least once

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

Mason M

A perfect film from start to finish. This was my first David Lynch movie and I was understandably shocked and yet obsessed. Most of the people that I know who've seen this film said that they walked out of the theater. It's a very difficult and intense watch but that makes the ending so much better. There is nothing to say here that hasn't been said before and it deserves it's place as one of the greatest movies of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

Ray N

Critics hated it so you know it is perfet. David Lynch at his shocking best. Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper excel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

Full Review

Sams K

One of the best movies of the 80s, an absolute masterpiece by David Lynch. Stunning performances from Hopper and Rossellini. A visionary dark noir by an a visionary genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

Full Review

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David Lynch

Director

Kyle MacLachlan

Jeffrey Beaumont

Isabella Rossellini

Dorothy Valens

Dennis Hopper

Frank Booth

Laura Dern

Sandy Williams

Hope Lange

Mrs. Williams

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Synopsis

College student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) returns home after his father has a stroke. When he discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field, Beaumont teams up with detective's daughter Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery. They believe beautiful lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) may be connected with the case, and Beaumont finds himself becoming drawn into her dark, twisted world, where he encounters sexually depraved psychopath Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper).

Director: David Lynch
Producer: Fred C. Caruso
Screenwriter: David Lynch
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Paramount Pictures
Production Co: De Laurentiis
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.6M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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