Being John Malkovich

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Being John Malkovich

R

1999

1h 52m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

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Critics Consensus

Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

08/30/2019

4.5/5

Kaufman and Jonze steer us through a truly twisted psychological and existential swamp.

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David Germain

Associated Press

06/12/2018

Fabulously funny and delightfully disturbed, "Being John Malkovich'' is the ultimate voyeur movie, a dark and at times malevolent take on what it's like to be in someone else's skull, looking out.

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Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

03/22/2018

The beauty of the film is the way it elevates John Malkovich from an actor to an axiom.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

06/07/2024

5/5

The fact that it manages to carry its open-mouthed audience through every awesomely enigmatic turn is its greatest accomplishment.

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Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

10/30/2023

4/4

It sometimes seems like there is more legitimate creativity in [Malkovich] than there's been in almost every other movie released this year. The script is completely insane and consistently brilliant, and it's funny on almost every level imaginable.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/08/2023

... a devastatingly funny portrait of unhappiness, desperation, desire, and the vicious things we do for love...

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Tom F

@RT55173143 2d

Powerful weirdo entertainment, seemingly more radical in 2026 than in 1999.

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John F

@RT84127024 Jun 2

Deserves a high score just for its ambition. Both hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time.

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Zach F

@kenpowerz May 12

A film that will make you constantly ask “How?” or “What if?”, then immediately answers you in a fulfilling fashion. This twister of a movie, keeps the interest going through the entire 113 minutes. Every time you think you know what type of movie this is it throws you for another loop. A must watch

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo May 11

Ultra unique scenario. I just wish they’d maybe done something else with the opportunity. But a delightful leap.

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Angello D

@CriticAngelo Mar 8

Liked it overall, but it felt too long and a bit too absurd at times. I don’t mind some absurdity, just not that much. I had mixed feelings about it. I did laugh and enjoyed parts of it, but it’s definitely kind of crazy. The romantic part was a little too bizarre for me. It felt like watching a dream. I understood the movie fine though. It wasn’t really intellectually challenging for me.

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Collin L.

@ihatethemoviebeingjohnmalkovich Feb 17

Only good thing about it is the directing. I want my 1:55 minutes of my life back

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Spike Jonze

Director

John Cusack

Craig Schwartz

Cameron Diaz

Lotte Schwartz

Catherine Keener

Maxine Lund

Orson Bean

Dr. Lester

Mary Kay Place

Floris

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Dance of Despair and Disillusionment

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig's Escape From Malkovich

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - John Malkovich Becomes a Puppeteer

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Inside Malkovich

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Discovers J.M. Inc.

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Gets Paranoid

1:38

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Sad Man Becomes John Malkovich

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig Wins a Date With Maxine

2:10

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - 7 1/2 Floor Orientation

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - The Speech Impediment

2:23

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Synopsis

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Steve Golin, Vincent Landay, Sandy Stern, Michael Stipe
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Propaganda Films, Single Cell Pictures, Gramercy Pictures
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.9M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)