'

Paprika

Play trailer

Paprika

R

Released Jun 1, 2007

1h 30m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

Anime

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Dr. Atsuko Chiba works as a scientist by day and, under the code name "Paprika," is a dream detective at night. Atsuko and her colleagues are working on a device called the DC Mini, which is intended to help psychiatric patients, but in the wrong hands it could destroy people's minds. When a prototype is stolen, Atsuko/Paprika springs into action to recover it before damage is done.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Following its own brand of logic, Paprika is an eye-opening mind trip that is difficult to follow but never fails to dazzle.

Read Critics Reviews

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Paprika, while certainly not suitable for kids, manages to capture the childlike, helter-skelter chaos and curiosity of the human mind better than any other animated film.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 20, 2007

Full Review

Richard Nilsen

Arizona Republic

You could sit through the film two or three times to nail down the details of the story, but the film isn't interesting enough to warrant a second look.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 13, 2007

Full Review

Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

Is it sci-fi? Fantasy? Idiocy? Mostly it's a droning mess -- pretty to look at but confounding to the point where you just don't care any more.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 22, 2007

Full Review

Lindsay Costello

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

The film's crazed parade of roaming toys is perhaps the most accurate visual depiction of a nightmare I've witnessed.

Oct 22, 2024

Full Review

JK Sooja

Common Sense Media

But for others, Paprika will be a thought-provoking, challenging, and fun thrill packed with imagery, symbolism, and play, rich with a full assortment of meaning to argue over.

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... the philosophically rich or visually stimulating representations of the ideas present in the film that still grab hold of audiences in a way that live action just can’t.

Feb 22, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Sandra

A visually stunning surreal psychological thriller. with a powerhouse soundtrack to match.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/25

Full Review

Emanuel

Woooooow. 5/5. Open your mind and let yourself be entertained

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/25

Full Review

Angelina

Fiya, very colorful, beautifully written/ directed. deep psychology meaning. Would watch again!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

Full Review

Kenneth

The movie is fun, beautiful and carries many different meanings throughout. A must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

Full Review

Arthur G

This is Satoshi Kon's masterpiece. A thrilling adventure with many twists and turns, blending reality and fiction to keep the audience on their toes constantly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

jesse v

if you like Requiem for a dream and perfect blue, imagine both of them combined to this. funny cause one came after this movie so maybe the director created the dream genre

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Satoshi Kon

Director

Cindy Robinson

Chiba

Yuri Lowenthal

Tokita

Michael Forest

Inui

David Lodge

Shima

Paul St. Peter

Detective Toshimi Konakawa

Azhy Robertson’s Five Favorite Films

RT’s Blu-ray Picks from Sony Pictures

What We’re Watching on Blu-ray

View more photos

Synopsis

Dr. Atsuko Chiba works as a scientist by day and, under the code name "Paprika," is a dream detective at night. Atsuko and her colleagues are working on a device called the DC Mini, which is intended to help psychiatric patients, but in the wrong hands it could destroy people's minds. When a prototype is stolen, Atsuko/Paprika springs into action to recover it before damage is done.

Director: Satoshi Kon
Producer: Jungo Maruta, Masao Takiyama
Screenwriter: Satoshi Kon, Seishi Minakami
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Madhouse Productions
Rating: R (Violent and Sexual Images)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 23, 2018
Runtime: 1h 30m

Most Popular at Home Now