Ismael's Ghosts

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Ismael's Ghosts

R

2017

1h 54m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

28%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Twenty-one years ago, she ran away -- and 21 years later, Carlotta is back from the void. But Ismael has been busy rebuilding a life for himself with Sylvia and working on his next movie. As Ismael's trials and tribulations unfurl, so too do those of his film's protagonist -- the idle, funny and reckless diplomat Ivan Dédalus.

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Critics Consensus

Ismael's Ghosts unites an excellent cast -- and their valiant efforts are often enough to counter its somewhat confused and disjointed story.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Unfortunately all the metafictional layering only highlights the lack of engagement at the center of the story, the three stars acting up a storm but barely acknowledging each other.

Apr 17, 2020

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Marion Cotillard and Charlotte Gainsbourg momentarily bring verve to proceedings.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 9, 2018

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Decked out in the classy colours of the high-end French art film, Ismael's Ghosts is probably easier to enjoy if you make no attempt to fit its disjointed units together.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 8, 2018

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s raw and funny and angry and loving, with rich and complex characters and relationships ...

Apr 26, 2025

Full Review

Andrew Gaudion

THN

The film, like Ismael, cannot escape its own self-indulgent tendencies, leading to an experience that never coalesces into something that feels all that insightful, despite some fine acting and moments of wit and mystery.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 30, 2020

Full Review

Matt Cipolla

Film Monthly

Ismael's Ghosts is several movies each with their own merits, but that doesn't mean that they coexist amicably.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 23, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

In interesting examination of a mental unraveling by the leads; almost a throwback to previous era of films as realism is not the primary concern

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

From the spy thriller to the love triangle, from the existential drama in the best traditions of French cinema to the farce comedy - this appears before us a new Desplechin. Think i have to watch one more time using boxxy software to understand what it was :D

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Unwatchable - avoid by all means!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tasteless compendium of corny melodramatic tricks

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I did my best to stay but left after an hour. There were several stories going on and it was very slow and disconnected. 2/10 at best.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Arnaud Desplechin

Director

Mathieu Amalric

Ismaël Vuillard

Marion Cotillard

Carlotta Bloom

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Sylvia

Louis Garrel

Ivan Dedalus

Alba Rohrwacher

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Ismael's Ghost: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Twenty-one years ago, she ran away -- and 21 years later, Carlotta is back from the void. But Ismael has been busy rebuilding a life for himself with Sylvia and working on his next movie. As Ismael's trials and tribulations unfurl, so too do those of his film's protagonist -- the idle, funny and reckless diplomat Ivan Dédalus.

Director: Arnaud Desplechin
Producer: Pascal Caucheteux
Screenwriter: Arnaud Desplechin, Léa Mysius, Julie Peyr
Production Co: Why Not Productions
Rating: R (Language|Brief Strong Violence|Sexuality|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 3, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $102.3K
Runtime: 1h 54m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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