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

Full Review

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SkyRo P

Let's discuss the 1986 film "Blue Velvet," featuring Laura Dern. Personally, I found the movie disappointing. Its blend of themes involving women's abuse and a murder mystery felt awkward and disjointed. A significant portion of the film revolves around some bizarre and unsettling sexual dynamics, where the female character expresses a desire for pain and humiliation before being exploited. This portrayal was surprisingly jarring for a film from the 1980s, a time when such content seemed less scrutinized. In today's context, this kind of narrative would likely raise many red flags. I believe the film had potential and could have been more impactful with a stronger script, as the storyline felt chaotic. To be frank, I was surprised that Laura Dern's character, Sandy, didn’t take more drastic actions against her boyfriend Jeffrey, who came across as quite the unsavory character.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

Full Review

Rare T

What a coincidence that I downloaded this movie just a day before David Lynch passed away. Perhaps that was my version of the robin dream? Speaking of dreams, I’m concerned this might’ve ruined Roy Orbison’s In Dreams for me… or maybe not; it’s such a good song, too good for anything to ruin it. Anyway, back to the movie: Blue Velvet is too good to be ruined too, but that’s only because it’s already ruined – in a good old Lynchian way, of course.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

Full Review

Nick R

Exceptionally surreal, unsettling, and dark in all the strangest ways. Yet that's exactly what David Lynch delivers best, and he delivers it well in this film with a strong story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

Full Review

Ghostj09 c

GREAT MOVIE, the music was AMAZING, Frank is such an interesting villain i would 100% recommend (don't watch it with your family.)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Priyan B

Worth watching thriller. Rating: 7.3/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

Full Review

T K

One of the best films of the 20th Century. Not for children.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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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