The Lives of Others

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)

Wayne K One of the fascinating things about films made about the not-so-distant past is the fact that many of those who experienced it are still alive and can view the film not as piece of fiction, but as a window into what feels like a previous life. Such is the case with The Lives Of Others, a modern day The Conversation. Centring around a famous writer and an operation to eliminate him for all the wrong reasons, it creates a real sense of the time and place the events took place in, with Easten bloc grey buildings, monochromatic interiors and boxy, Soviet era vehicles. It’s a film that shows just how difficult it can be to exist in a world where every word you say can be held against you. We all worry about being watched and heard against our wishes, and if you’re expected to toe the party line but don’t believe in what they stand for, then you’re in very real danger. Ulrich Mühe, in one of his last big screen performances, gives us a man who starts out fanatically loyal and obedient to his cause, but gradually that conviction starts to slip, and he ends up being a force for good, despite the inherent risk. It’s a film that’s all about the subtleties and nuances of everyday life, the ways we communicate without saying a word, the things we say only with our eyes and body language. A masterclass in steadily building tension, realistic character arcs and trying to do the right thing in where such a concept is a death sentence. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review Jay W This movie has a relatively slow start. It follows a couple in East Germany who are under surveillance by the government. Most of what the government listens in on is pretty mundane stuff. It feels like a stake out, one where we are waiting for something exciting to happen. But the movie pays off for those patient enough to make it through the slower moments. The movie is an excellent mix of real-world drama, white knuckle suspense and sweet character moments. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/11/25 Full Review Audience Member This film reminds us all of what the worst and best in humanity can be. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/25 Full Review Stephen C Based on a true story in 2 hours and 17 minutes!!!!!! Rated R for Some Sexuality/Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In German and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review Jesus Gomez Show every kid this movie to help them gain a better understanding of what socialism and East Germany was really like in the 20th century. A system that oppresses people and doesn’t work, but a system that takes a bite in the arses of the people that truly believes in it. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/29/25 Full Review Scotty M Review of The Lives of Others The Lives of Others, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, provides valuable insight into what life was like in East Berlin during the 1980s, while also being a wildly entertaining and well-made film. The plot follows Gerd Wiesler, a Stasi teacher and officer. The Stasi were the police force responsible for enforcing the harsh rules of East Germany. Wiesler was assigned to spy on a writer by the name of Georg Dreyman, who was suspected by the government to have values that aligned more with those of West Germany. Throughout his surveillance, Wiesler’s values and morals are challenged, leading him to question his allegiance to the Stasi. The film was beautifully put together by von Donnersmarck. Much of the appeal of the film was its complex characters, whose varying storylines were woven together to create a beautiful picture together. Our knowledge of the actions of many different characters in the film led to a very suspenseful viewing experience, since much of the plot was built around particular characters not knowing certain information about different characters. As a viewer, it was nerve-wracking to see different characters coming so close finding out details that would have greatly affected the trajectory of the movie. This inclined viewers to keep their full attention on the film, as it constantly felt as though the protagonists were seconds away from meeting their demise. In addition to the plot, the setting of East Berlin was beautifully replicated by the creators. One key aspect of the film was the constant gloomy lighting. There were practically zero moments in the film with any sort of bright lighting. This was useful in showing the sad and oppressive mood seen in East Germany. The camerawork in the film was also expertly done. Many of the shots included close-ups of the characters and slow panning, both of which helped to build suspense. Overall, The Lives of Others was an excellent film due to both its plot and filming techniques. The film has received a lot of praise in the media, including winning an Oscar for the best foreign language film. I think that this praise was warranted. I would recommend that everyone watches this movie. It brings entertainment and insight into East Germany together perfectly. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review Read all reviews

The Lives of Others

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Most Popular at Home Now