Antichrist

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Antichrist

2009

1h 44m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

177 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

While a married couple (Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg) is having sex, their infant son in a nearby room falls out a window to his death. She becomes distraught and is hospitalized, but her husband, who is a psychiatrist, attempts to treat her. Deciding that she needs to face her fears, he takes her to a cabin in the woods where she spent a previous summer with the boy. Once they are there, she becomes more unhinged and starts perpetrating sexual violence on her husband and herself.

Critics Consensus

Gruesome, explicit and highly controversial; Lars Von Triers arthouse-horror, though beautifully shot, is no easy ride.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 29, 2018

Antichrist is deftly made, visually atmospheric and has, at its heart, two of the rawest, bravest performances you will probably ever see. It's also horrible and therein lies the rub, I suppose.

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Larry Gross

Film Comment Magazine

Sep 24, 2014

There will be no thumbs up or down ... [The film] is neither disgusting ... nor is it one of the great films. It is a transitional work made by an artist clearly in crisis.

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Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

Jan 29, 2010

2/5

Of course, von Trier wants us to react, to be repulsed, shocked, offended. Mission accomplished.

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Angelos Koutsourakis

PopMatters

Feb 23, 2024

von Trier does not hesitate to engage into a dialogue and thus experiment with mainstream cinema, in order to reshape the relationship between film production and reception...we can see Antichrist as a film that thematises the medium itself...

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 30, 2023

2/4

Whether [Von Trier's] goading incites a reaction of sheer revulsion or artistic admiration depends greatly on the viewer. He must, however, be praised for stimulating a fierce reaction.

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David Reddish

Queerty

Mar 20, 2022

4/4

Here is a masterpiece of abject horror, a monumental achievement by a queer director. We recommend it for that reason with one caveat: if you dont like being scared, please watch something else.

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Maarit L

@Komedienne Jul 26, 2026

Interesting and brutal.

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Akatsuki M

@RT02027212 Jul 21, 2026

While some of the cinematography is definitely striking and visually intense, especially in the prologue, the movie as a whole is boring and far too pretentious. If you cut out those few graphic scenes, people probably wouldn't even be talking about it. I also don't understand how anyone could possibly call this movie misogynistic. If you really wanted to put a label on it, I'd say it actually leans in the opposite direction. Anyway, I don't think Lars von Trier is for me, even though I can appreciate his distinctive artistic vision as a director.

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Rexxy T

@RT58138282 May 3, 2026

Worse than terrible. Pretentious, senselessly violent. A waste of time, film and talent.

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Elvis D

@Elvis-Del-Valle Apr 3, 2026

Resulta que Antichrist no es solo una película para perturbar, es un trabajo artístico en muchos sentidos. En lo visual, lo atmosférico y lo técnico es un trabajo artístico, pero también en lo narrativo por sentirse como una obra de literatura. La película es sin duda un trabajo que define el cine de arte como algunas otras. Transmite sentimientos fuertes que pueden generar admiración o repulsión, pero eso es lo que se busca cuando se hace un arte como el de Lars. En un mundo donde se ha vuelto prioridad hacer películas solo como productos de consumo, se agradece que haya artistas como Lars Von Trier. Consigue su objetivo de perturbar y desagradar, así que eso la hace una pieza de arte prometedora. Desde luego merece ser admirada y más aún sabiendo cómo es el cine como arte. Así que merece una oportunidad incluso si se está buscando algo mucho más fuerte y desafiante a nivel psicológico. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 9/10.

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Steven F.

@SteveGotScored Mar 3, 2026

A very brutal art movie!

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Guillermo A

@Guillermo.Almeida Jan 8, 2026

Wonderful story no more than a man who must take his most human side and accept his nature to be free. In the most visceral and unique way.

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Lars von Trier

Director

Willem Dafoe

He

Charlotte Gainsbourg

She

Storm Acheche Sahlstrøm

Nic

Lars von Trier

Screenwriter

Meta Louise Foldager

Producer

Irresistible

22%

32%

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Synopsis

While a married couple (Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg) is having sex, their infant son in a nearby room falls out a window to his death. She becomes distraught and is hospitalized, but her husband, who is a psychiatrist, attempts to treat her. Deciding that she needs to face her fears, he takes her to a cabin in the woods where she spent a previous summer with the boy. Once they are there, she becomes more unhinged and starts perpetrating sexual violence on her husband and herself.

Director: Lars von Trier
Producer: Meta Louise Foldager
Screenwriter: Lars von Trier
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Trollhättan Film AB, Memfis Film AB, ARTE G.E.I.E, Zentropa International, Slot Machine, Film i Väst, DR, Lucky Red, arte France Cinéma, ZDF Arte, SVT
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 23, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $397.1K
Runtime: 1h 44m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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