Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

2011

1h 54m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

103 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Afflicted with kidney disease, Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) is preparing himself for death. He has assembled his relatives in the countryside, convinced he will die within a few days. The ghost of his wife appears and offers guidance on his journey into the beyond, while his estranged son materializes in the guise of a jungle creature. Surrounded by his loved ones, Uncle Boonmee reflects on memories of his past lives, and he decides he must visit a special place before he goes.

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Critics Consensus

Languorous and deeply enigmatic, Palme d'Or winner Uncle Boonmee represents an original take on the ghosts that haunt us.

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Chuck Stephens

Film Comment Magazine

11/07/2013

Magical, baffling, mirthful, sublime -- it’s everything it’s cracked up to be.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

06/16/2011

2.5/4

Weerasethakul's sincerity is evident, though the film's meditative pace and vague philosophical undertones will not be for everyone.

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Tom Long

Detroit News

04/29/2011

B

This is a film that wants to be interesting, and it certainly is that. Whether you want to dine with the ghost and the monkey-man or not, they bring a new perspective to the table.

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Dave Giannini

InSession Film

02/20/2024

If you have the patience to let Uncle Boonmee unfold and surround you, you will experience something great and truly illuminating and gratifying.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

02/10/2024

8/10

Weerasethakul confirms that cinema as an art is still alive and, to prove it, he transforms this film into a dazzling and hypnotic experience that is very difficult to forget. [Full review in Spanish]

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Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

10/27/2022

“Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” is a gateway to another world; it exists in the space between life and death, between past and present, between reality and fantasy.

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Ben W

@Username618 5d

Cannot , years down line, remember a thing. Benign?

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Cecilia T

@CBCB2000 Feb 16

interesting, unique and bizarre. Wouldn´t rush to watch it again but its artiness and uniqueness make it worth a watch

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S R

@ScottR May 3

An interesting movie to say the least. I enjoyed the bizarre ghosts, the lost son and his hairy counterparts with dilated red eyes. However, it gets too symbolic and loses me with its long gaps between dialogue and its reflective shots. Then you get into the mystical bestiality that breaks from the story line and it makes it tough to follow. Regardless, it does show some rare aspects of the Thai / Laotian culture and their religious beliefs that make them a unique people. I saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD.

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Diogo T

@RT01421508 03/25/2025

If you're open to a film that's probably different from what you've seen before, I recommend it. It's one of the best I've ever seen (four times in total). It's a philosophical and artistic film that won't be to the general public's taste, it's true, but the way the director touches on complex themes, whether intimate or political, and impresses with very strong metaphors is incredible.

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Joan M

@RT47606245 10/12/2024

If you are looking for ways to torture those who have sinned against you, make them watch this movie without reacting or falling asleep. From start to finish, it left me with nothing but boredom and frustration. Not really sure how it won an award.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 10/16/2023

A good ending can't rescue us from the unbearable boredom of the preceding hour and forty minutes. Can't understand who on earth watches this and gives it five stars. The acclaim from critics is inexplicable to me. Had it on DVD for a long time and finally picked it up to watch. Wish I hadn't. Usually Palme D'Or winners are either great or awful and this one sits in the latter camp. Trust the audience reviews on RT over the critics on this one.

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Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Director

Sakda Kaewbuadee

Tong

Jenjira Pongpas

Jen

Thanapat Saisaymar

Boonmee

Natthakarn Aphaiwonk

Huay

Geerasak Kulhong

Boonsong

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Synopsis

Afflicted with kidney disease, Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) is preparing himself for death. He has assembled his relatives in the countryside, convinced he will die within a few days. The ghost of his wife appears and offers guidance on his journey into the beyond, while his estranged son materializes in the guise of a jungle creature. Surrounded by his loved ones, Uncle Boonmee reflects on memories of his past lives, and he decides he must visit a special place before he goes.

Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Producer: Simon Field, Keith Griffiths, Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Screenwriter: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: Thai
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $183.6K
Runtime: 1h 54m

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