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The Hunger

Play trailer Poster for The Hunger R Released Apr 29, 1983 1h 37m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
59% Tomatometer 39 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
John (David Bowie) is the lover of the gorgeous immortal vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve), and he's been led to believe that he'll live forever, too. Unfortunately, he quickly deteriorates into a horrible living death, and Miriam seeks a new companion. She soon sets her sights on Sarah (Susan Sarandon), a lovely young scientist, who quickly falls under Miriam's spell. However, Sarah doesn't warm up to the concept of vampirism easily, leading to conflict with Miriam.
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The Hunger

The Hunger

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Critics Consensus

Stylish yet hollow, The Hunger is a well-cast vampire thriller that mistakes erotic moments for a satisfying story.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans New Statesman The film's enduring quality is its ineffable coolness, which feels inextricable from Scott's supposedly lowbrow music video origins. Jan 7, 2021 Full Review Raoul Hernandez Austin Chronicle More style than substance, and perhaps simply an excuse to get Denueve and Susan Sarandon, Miriam's post-Bowie love, in bed together. Nov 18, 2008 Full Review Variety Staff Variety In his feature debut, director Tony Scott, brother of Ridley, exhibits the same penchant for eleborate art direction, minimal, humorless dialog and shooting in smoky rooms. Nov 18, 2008 Full Review Philip Kemp Total Film This, you can sense, is a film to be admired for its sheer classy visual panache… but not taken too seriously. Rated: 4/5 Sep 25, 2025 Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal What should've been a lingering lamentation suffers an all-consuming transfusion of style over substance. But for a flawless first half, David Bowie’s outstanding performance & Tony Scott’s image-making proof of concept, "The Hunger" remains worthwhile. Rated: 3/5 Apr 26, 2023 Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Tony Scott's gorgeously shot erotic vampire drama is so much more than the lesbian sex scene that made it (in)famous. It's a very strong debut for Scott. Rated: 4/5 Apr 17, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alejandro B Very atmospheric, and dark. A tale about the longing for prevalence and the will to survive at all costs. It could have been armed better, but it is a fine watch nonetheless. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Aly L You really have to let it sit for a bit before you give a (final) verdict on it. It’s interesting that, like in many cases with cult films, this one was also ostracized upon the release, and while the audience grew to like it some critics still remain skeptical about it. And me, I tend to get defensive about such things :) I’d love to advocate for this story, for I think it does deserve recognition. Yes, it might have got carried out in a better, more seamless or coherent way. But it’s now the way it is. You can change nothing but your attitude towards it. And perhaps there is a certain level of charm in how it was executed and done. People say it is lacking in substance, plot and meaning, but I personally don’t see how. It’s quite a solid story and, in fact, an existential drama under the guise of noir and mystic erotic horror. Isn’t Miriam a new Snow Queen, cold and lonely in her snow castle? Isn’t John a disenchanted, tragic figure, a lover who is pushed and pulled back to his queen? Sarah? The final scenes seem to be her victory but is she so victorious in the end? Questions, questions. And only you, the viewer, will know the answer. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review Anaïs V Great acting and beautiful cinematography. A real romantic goth story. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Anthony F Under-rated vampire flick with a killer cast and commendably stylized cinematography. I thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger's take on vampire lore mixed with perfunctory dashes of science/detective thriller and erotica, all set in a gilded early 80's NYC. The premise was seen through to the end in a very satisfying way. Beautiful score, acting, and visual mood throughout. Bonus points for the mini Bauhaus video and not overplaying the David Bowie character, who takes a definitive backseat to the female leads. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/22/25 Full Review J. D Amazing movie, but a bit long in the tooth at times. Also, it's not entertainment for the dimwitted. You are expected to finger many things out for yourself, and some things remain a mystery forever, unless you look up other people's interpretations or the intentions of the author. But that is the best kind of movie, the one that stays with you for a long time, feeding your imagination, nourishing your horizon. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Nicholas D Initially I was excited to watch The Hunger because of its cast. I'd even asked myself, How have I never seen this movie? However, it was so dull, I literally fell asleep. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hunger

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Movie Info

Synopsis John (David Bowie) is the lover of the gorgeous immortal vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve), and he's been led to believe that he'll live forever, too. Unfortunately, he quickly deteriorates into a horrible living death, and Miriam seeks a new companion. She soon sets her sights on Sarah (Susan Sarandon), a lovely young scientist, who quickly falls under Miriam's spell. However, Sarah doesn't warm up to the concept of vampirism easily, leading to conflict with Miriam.
Director
Tony Scott
Producer
Richard Shepherd
Screenwriter
James Costigan, Ivan Davis, Whitley Strieber, Michael Thomas
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Peerford Ltd., Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 29, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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