Melancholia

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Melancholia

R

Released Nov 11, 2011

2h 10m

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

209 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

As a planet hurtles toward a collision course with Earth, two sisters (Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg) cope with the approaching doomsday in different ways.

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Critics Consensus

Melancholia's dramatic tricks are more obvious than they should be, but this is otherwise a showcase for Kirsten Dunst's acting and for Lars von Trier's profound, visceral vision of depression and destruction.

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Sara Reihani

Bitch Media

A strangely apt visual representation of depression.

Jan 9, 2021

Full Review

Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

Von Trier creates a blackly comic delirium that is terrifying and completely exhilarating.

Aug 27, 2019

Full Review

Lisa Rosman

IndieWire

In Melancholia, von Trier has created a mission statement of a masterpiece, one that reminds us that nihilism itself can serve as a legitimate form of creation, a means as well as The End.

Nov 7, 2016

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Truly a masterpiece, thanks to its performances and direction, as von Trier delivers a powerful metaphor for depression that is all too relatable.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 9, 2025

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

"Melancholia" can't help but cause disconnect. Science-fiction mixed with a very random society wedding just don't mix.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 20, 2025

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June Butler

Film Ireland Magazine

Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg lead a stellar cast, and the special effects are jaw-dropping.

Jan 17, 2025

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alan g

One of the most depressing movies ever. If you are not severely depressed by the end of this trash you have no feelings.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/18/25

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Nathan F

If there was a ‘book club talk’ after watching this movie, Id go on for ages! Reflecting on how this movie made you feel while you were watching it ….. is just awesome in the way the director did it. From the awkwardness of the grooms speech, to the horses, to the sad place and time to combine work and a wedding….. it was sooooooo well done to get you in that state of mind and emotion. And then to wrap it up on her never wavering with the kindness to her nephew, just so well done! You do need half a brain and sole to appreciate the artfulness of this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Valerie K

I am fascinated with this movie. The pace, cinematography, musical score and story. Then again, I tend to lean towards the deep and strange.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Gareth v

Melancholia is less about plot than feeling. It’s a meditation on the quiet terror of mental illness and the helplessness of facing the inevitable. While not always easy to engage with, it’s undeniably powerful.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Michael L.

Beautifully shot. Kirsten Dunst was terrific. The blending of science fiction and depression were genius.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

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john b

Long, slow and boring in parts. Interesting story with the strangest wedding party I've ever seen. Didn't really see the point of the wedding.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

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Lars von Trier

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Kirsten Dunst

Justine

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Claire

Alexander Skarsgård

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Synopsis

As a planet hurtles toward a collision course with Earth, two sisters (Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg) cope with the approaching doomsday in different ways.

Director: Lars von Trier
Producer: Meta Louise Foldager, Louise Vesth
Screenwriter: Lars von Trier
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Slot Machine, Zentropa Entertainment, Zentropa Entertainment France, Liberator Productions, Memfis Film AB, Film i Väst, arte France Cinéma, DR
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 13, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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