The Empire

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1:30

The Empire

Released Mar 7

1h 50m

Comedy

Sci-Fi

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In a quiet and picturesque fishing village in Northern France, something finally happens: a special baby is born. A child so unique and peculiar that it unleashes a secret war between extraterrestrial forces of good and evil. In an attempt to restore their empires, two opposing forces from the depths of outer space, One and Zero, unleash an apocalyptic conflict on Earth. Demons of the Zero forces covertly take over the village locals, possessing their bodies in order to establish pandemonium on earth. But at the same time, a new species of creature formed by the Ones is working for an alternative and beneficial evolution. While waiting for the final battle, the imperial legions struggle to win humanity over to their cause. A slapstick intergalactic space opera from the singular mind of auteur Bruno Dumont, The Empire is a dramatic blockbuster spectacle and a comedic tour de force that pits good against evil, One against Zero in a fabulous tale of the forces that shape the world and humans into what they are.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's funny if you're willing to fall into its ridiculousness. I cracked up all the way through.

May 9, 2025

Full Review

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Its oddity, evident in the barest descriptions, is so extreme as to threaten to overshadow its distinctive artistry and ferocious substance.

Mar 11, 2025

Full Review

Justine Smith

RogerEbert.com

Working with the toolbox of popular American cinema to explore themes dear to the French cinematic canon, as well as his own, Dumont creates a singular cinematic experience.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 10, 2025

Full Review

Steve Erickson

Arts Fuse

The Empire‘s satiric vision is clear.

May 8, 2025

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Armond White

National Review

Every Star Wars fan who has reached the age of consent should see Bruno Dumont’s The Empire. It’s a bizarre yet movingly humane satire that exposes the philosophical deficiencies of the movie genre that dominates global film culture.

Mar 15, 2025

Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

Unless you’re specifically attuned to Dumont’s goofy sense of humor, the cartoonish result quickly becomes labored and lumbering, uncertain whether it’s showing appreciation or striking back at its satirical targets.

Mar 14, 2025

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Alec B

It's an interesting series of provocations, mostly reacting against modern Hollywood blockbusters, and while it isn't exactly funny I can appreciate the satire. Worth noting that certain scenes are just about as close as I've seen to someone successfully recreating Lynch's style, especially as it was in "Twin Peaks: The Return"

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

samu e

While I appreciate the intent of creating this absurd piece, it falls painfully short on everything it's trying to do. Aimed at being a cult movie, it is a pointless creation with nothing to take from.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

Full Review

Hovey Y

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

Full Review

wa f

Good film that i watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

Krisna C

The empire film yang bagus yuk buruan tonton dijamin gabakalan nyesel

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

Yuyu Y

Keren keren keren keren

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

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Bruno Dumont

Director

Anamaria Vartolomei

Actor

Lyna Khoudri

Actor

Camille Cottin

Actor

Fabrice Luchini

Actor

Julien Manier

Actor

The Empire: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In a quiet and picturesque fishing village in Northern France, something finally happens: a special baby is born. A child so unique and peculiar that it unleashes a secret war between extraterrestrial forces of good and evil. In an attempt to restore their empires, two opposing forces from the depths of outer space, One and Zero, unleash an apocalyptic conflict on Earth. Demons of the Zero forces covertly take over the village locals, possessing their bodies in order to establish pandemonium on earth. But at the same time, a new species of creature formed by the Ones is working for an alternative and beneficial evolution. While waiting for the final battle, the imperial legions struggle to win humanity over to their cause. A slapstick intergalactic space opera from the singular mind of auteur Bruno Dumont, The Empire is a dramatic blockbuster spectacle and a comedic tour de force that pits good against evil, One against Zero in a fabulous tale of the forces that shape the world and humans into what they are.

Director: Bruno Dumont
Producer: Joaquim Sapinho, Olivier Dubois, Marta Alves, Fabrizio Mosca, Jean Bréhat, Bertrand Faivre
Screenwriter: Bruno Dumont
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Production Co: Tessalit Films
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: French
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.1K
Runtime: 1h 50m

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