Psychomagic, a Healing Art

2019

1 hr. 40 min.

Documentary

TRAILER

for Psychomagic, a Healing Art: Trailer 1

List

77%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky examines the therapeutic healing power of performance art.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Psychomagic, a Healing Art on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV.

john s

ABRACADAMN Alejandro Jodorowsky! Not only is the man for all seasons (and then some) still alive, but he's making movies to boot. The filmmaking auteur of one the most divisive pieces of cinematic celluloid is back. 1970's bizarre "El Topo" - is it high art, a masterpiece, self-indulgent pap, overwrought, boring, or just plain silly? - is his calling card, and yet at 91, the eccentric Chilean continues to push the envelope. Might be time to push back. Not that "Psychomagic" is bad cinema. In it's own quirky way, it has a unique charm: much like those early morning infomercials with wacky characters in stretchy pant suits, peddling variations of snake oil. Clad in various shades of purple, Jodorowsky documents his miraculous miracles, turning sad people into happy souls. Sounds good, no? Trouble is, it often involves body paint, vigorous massage, some groping, public performance, and awkward (except for Europeans) nudity. Comparing his technique to Freud's Psychoanalysis, but using the body instead of the mind, Jodorowsky offers odd solutions to common problems. A man feels unwanted by his family. Well hows about we place their photos on some pumpkins, smash the hell out of 'em, and send the bits to the family? Problem, uh, solved? The gleeful smasher thinks so. The subjects being filmed get great results, but with a camera in their faces, ya have to wonder how truthful all of this really is. There is a bit of shamanistic spirituality going on here, and hey, if it works, what harm is there? The glean of his ultra white dentured smile is truly hypnotic. Yet there is one unsettling bit involving a woman battling cancer. A theatre full of believers channel feel good energy through their hands. Dealing with depression through some quirky, hands on performance art is one thing, but claiming cancer cure in an evangelical setting is another. Maybe this broken world is all the better for visionary kooks like Jodorowsky, as long as he sticks to innocuous solutions. His giddy infatuation and hands on, zest for life is certainly undeniable. Voyeurs and curio seekers may enjoy this documentary. Or not. - hipCRANK

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Director

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Self

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Screenwriter

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Producer

Guy Avivi

Producer

Pascale Montandon-Jodorowsky

Cinematographer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

90%

87%

Ailey

TRAILER

for Ailey

77%

81%

The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel

87%

71%

White Noise

79%

66%

My Generation

88%

%

The Thoughts That Once We Had

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Psychomagic, a Healing Art: Trailer 1

1:09

View more videos

View more photos

Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

In practice, psychomagic is, per Jodorowsky tradition, more than a bit out-there.

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

Eric Kohn

indieWire

Set to an ominous score by Jodorowsky's son Adan, the movie drifts into jarring new territory every few minutes.

Rated: B

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Charles Bramesco

AV Club

There's little to be learned from its two nudity-replete yet tedious hours.

Rated: D

Aug 7, 2020

Full Review

Nestor Bentancor

Nestor Cine Desde Hollywood

Jodorowsky's magnetism makes it worth it, but the session could have been shorter. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 17, 2020

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

"Psychomagic," sadly, isn't art; it's advertising.

Rated: C-

Aug 11, 2020

Full Review

Morgan Rojas

Cinemacy

I want to believe, but Jodorowsky's method of healing deep-rooted trauma through provocative performance art therapy brings out my inner skeptic.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 11, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky examines the therapeutic healing power of performance art.

Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Screenwriter: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Production Co: Satori Films , La Région Île-de-France
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2020
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now