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The Idiots

1998
Comedy
Drama
1h 57m
A group of people gather at a house in a Copenhagen suburb to bring out the "inner idiot" in themselves.
Directed by:
Lars von Trier Lars von Trier
Written by:
Lars von Trier Lars von Trier
Starring:
Nikolaj Lie Kaas Nikolaj Lie Kaas Lars von Trier Lars von Trier Bodil Jørgensen Bodil Jørgensen Jens Albinus Jens Albinus Anne Louise Hassing Paprika Steen Paprika Steen Anders Hove Anders Hove Jens Jørn Spottag Jens Jørn Spottag Troels Lyby Troels Lyby Knud Romer Jørgensen Knud Romer Jørgensen Louise Mieritz Trine Michelsen
More
Genres:
Comedy, Drama
AKA:
Idioterne
Countries:
Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden
Language:
Danish
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Idiots

1998
Comedy
Drama
1h 57m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 55.44% from 1338 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1338)
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davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 25 Jan 2010
40
28th
Fight Club for idiots: Rebellious group, enig- and charismatic leader, a plan that goes too far. I love Trier as much as the next guy (maybe even more), but the movie fails at arguing why idiocy is worthwhile. An example: Suddenly the leader decides on having group sex. Now, I love pornography as much as the next guy (maybe even more), but what purpose is served? The Idiots feels like a bi-product of a failed social experiment, which in some ways, it is. And there's no reason for it being Dogma.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 07 Apr 2009
20
4th
Whatever "truth" is being searched for here does not exist, and attempting to search for a truth in a medium built on lies and manipulation is futile. Perhaps that's intentional, but that does not make this overly-edited mess any more enjoyable. It buries any positive aspects beneath annoying characters, terrible camerawork, and tedious attempts to provoke. Dogme 95 is a joke, and not a very funny one at that.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 02 Oct 2015
75
68th
This movie invesitgates the nature of avant-garde movements and groups of people like hippies or bohemes who ciriticize the norms of society and performatively offer alternatives. But they're bound to failure, because by nature they're subversive and ephemeral and if they institutionalize themselves they'd end up becoming the things they ciriticize. By the way Karen as a character is a Trierian ascetic and prophetic guy, who tries to extract meaning from suffering like all characters of Trier.
Rated 02 Oct 2015
djrossdjross
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
98th
On freedom.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kavkav
Rated 13 Jul 2008
89
89th
Disarming.
Rated 13 Jul 2008
teeceeteecee
Rated 15 Oct 2008
58
87th
Jeg synes det er en sær og undelig uvedkommende film - og alligevel ser jeg den hver gang jeg har muligheden..fatter det ikke...
Rated 15 Oct 2008
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 18 Feb 2007
1
17th
Pretty idiotic, which was the point I guess. Von Trier can do better though.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 05 Jan 2009
40
19th
I liked the performance by Albinus and his role and little else. The only two Dogme 95 movies that did it for me were 'Forbrydelser' ('In Your Hands') and 'Festen' ('The Celebration').
Rated 05 Jan 2009
xacviantxacviant
Rated 21 Aug 2011
83
61st
Lars Von Trier's dark comedy presages Sacha Baron Cohen's later transgressive works, but with a tragic, poignant edge that puts it in its own class. The episodes of the titular "idiots" feigning mental disability in public are often amusing, but the story takes a dark turn in the final third, leading to a final scene which is both poignant and remarkably tense. There are some odd "interview" scenes that don't quite work, and the film meanders a bit, but it remains an intriguing, compelling work.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
k177105k177105
Rated 25 Aug 2023
91
78th
"I look for boundaries which restrict my range of activity and aesthetic freedom. Then I can concentrate all my energy in this small space." (Lars von Trier interview, signandsight.com, 17 November 2005) This film showed exactly how real questions can be brilliantly raised cinematically in this small space: how pursuit of absolutely unconstrained freedom becomes a competition of carelessness and regression and slips into authoritarianism, which manifests itself the clearest in sexual situations.
Rated 25 Aug 2023
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 02 Aug 2013
54
54th
I never thought I'd say this, but here goes: "It's a good movie, but it's not much fun to watch." Ugh, I feel dirty. Anyway, if I can add some slightly more specific criticism, it's that it seems like there was a well-planned first & last scene, but little thought or attention to the narrative & pacing of anything in between. Even an entirely improvised work, or a non-fiction documentary, can create a strong narrative arc through editing. Still, it's kind of a sophisticated man's Fight Club
Rated 02 Aug 2013
katieevanskatieevans
Rated 16 Sep 2012
75
56th
i liked the idea that von trier's filming style and cinematography were his own method of "spazzing" as was the impersonal feeling of the entire thing. but it wasn't really my favorite, especially compared to the others of the "golden heart trilogy."
Rated 16 Sep 2012
sellissellis
Rated 29 Jul 2023
69
35th
The ending bumped this up quite a bit for me.
Rated 29 Jul 2023
bok_dongBok dong
Rated 31 Aug 2009
68
82nd
haha
Rated 31 Aug 2009
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 21 Mar 2020
50
20th
Portraying late capitalism depravity is a precise and subtle art, and compared to the gold standard of Trash Humpers, von Trier uses insanity as an intentional rebellion against the system rather than recognize the beauty inherent in acting unhinged in an unhinged society. Maybe a more accessible approach for some but didn't stick with me the way Korine's did.
Rated 21 Mar 2020
rufamRufam
Rated 20 Oct 2013
75
72nd
A compelling, occasionally darkly comic and thematically intriguing von Trier film. While "Idioterne" does not pack the sharpness or the emotional power of "Dogville", there's nevertheless plenty of strong performances, affecting moments and fascinating inquiries (though, fortunately, nothing in the way of clear-cut answers) that make it worthwhile.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
seydakesenseydakesen
Rated 02 May 2018
65
16th
trier her zamanki gibi orijinal ve yaratici fakat diger isleriyle kiyaslanamaz bile, fikirler havada kalmis gibi veya belki de bi yere gitmiyormuslar gibi gibi gibi..
Rated 02 May 2018
chengmingchengming
Rated 18 Nov 2018
70
62nd
Okay, so Dogme was a meaningless attention-grab, and this is one of the ugliest movies I've ever seen, but Trier still manages to make a solid movie out of it with a handful of really fresh scenes. 10 points off for the pretentious certificate at the start, but 10 points added for actually showing sex when people are having sex.
Rated 18 Nov 2018
pigletPiglet
Rated 10 Jun 2009
70
59th
Dogma film about a group of people pretending to be retarded, with ensuing chaos as a result, that and an orgy.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
muhtarpmuhtarp
Rated 19 Oct 2014
80
47th
dogma95in etkisini gerçekten bu filmde anlamış olabilirim. kamera görüntü çok ama çok etkilyecisi ancak konuyu ele alış biçimini yeterli bulmadım
Rated 19 Oct 2014
neonmanNeonman
Rated 25 Sep 2013
72
43rd
This film dares you to hate it, with its unlikeable characters, their questionable motives, vomit-inducing cinematography, frequent glaring technical errors, and the overall underlying meaning to all this, whatever it was you gain from this odd storyline. This is a unique experience and a film worth watching and questioning.
Rated 25 Sep 2013
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 14 Sep 2011
86
84th
von Trier pushes buttons and for the most part succeeds in balancing provocativeness, insight and black humour. The dogme style helps the film in a lot of places, though at times the amateurishness of the filmmaking seems forced and undermines the naturalistic style. I kind of feel bad for enjoying it as much as I did, but that uneasy feeling is part of the charm.
Rated 14 Sep 2011
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 20 Aug 2014
60
10th
Kind of Von Trier at his worst, just incredibly mean-spirited and hateful and still pretty boring, so there really isn't anything to recommend here. A couple scenes are sufficiently uncomfortable in an interesting way, and the Dogme aesthetic is used nicely, but it's the worst of his movies that I have seen so far.
Rated 20 Aug 2014
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 20 Oct 2013
40
11th
Meaningless and uneventful, "The Idiots" is a bold experiment but mostly a failed one. The technical characteristics of the film are non-existent, while the social commentary is truly superficial. It doesn't work very well as a farce and fails to rise above it although it tries hard to do so. It's a film totally detached from social reality or from a sincere shot at a change for the better.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
simajudassimajudas
Rated 18 Apr 2024
65
35th
jpotiijpotII
Rated 02 May 2020
81
85th
Peixes
Rated 02 May 2020
pfightmasterPfightmaster
Rated 09 Apr 2018
1
0th
Fk this movie.
Rated 09 Apr 2018
barraocBarraoc
Rated 09 Feb 2017
70
64th
Dogma 95 from Lars von Trier (or can we say that?). Cringeworthy at times but I thought it worked well.
Rated 09 Feb 2017
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 03 Dec 2015
64
31st
There's no denying von Trier's ability to create powerful scenes that provoke myriad of emotions and ideas. In this case the story just seems like a mess with no consistency or strong through line. The premise is flimsy & the characters are more annoying than interesting. The explicit material seems kinda desperate because it's not really used to much effect in the story. It's almost like von Trier lost faith in his own ideas at some point. Kinda funny/disturbing provocation experiment though.
Rated 03 Dec 2015
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 16 Mar 2014
60
30th
Lars von Trier throws a bunch of ideas and character points at a wall and hopes they stick. None do. Threads are often interesting but they fray. It all seems a little aimless but instead of feeling audacious or a statement, it seems sloppy and lazy. The one theme that keeps bubbling to the surface is that the universal truth being sought is simply a feeling of real intimacy and belonging. Even when rejecting humanity, we attempt to embrace it.
Rated 16 Mar 2014
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 14 Aug 2010
28
1st
Somehow I think Von Trier's title is not only a description of the despicable, terrible, and unwatchable characters in the movie, but also a tongue-in-cheek stab at his own abilities. So...good for you guy, you got an extra 25 points for knowing you suck.
Rated 14 Aug 2010
judo_koalaJudo Koala
Rated 24 Mar 2012
75
53rd
What's interesting about LVT's film is that, through its progression, its own internal contradictions come to the surface, creating more questions than answers for the viewer upon its conclusion. This 'commune' merely wants to live carefree, away from those who shun such a mentality. But for what reason? As a rebellion against contemporary society? Or as a way to deal with their own internal pain? And when the two intersect, what is made of those who cannot adapt, and must "return to reality"?
Rated 24 Mar 2012
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 04 Feb 2015
91
91st
Has a lot to say, and in Trier's polemic style it even pulls off not just being a filmic essay on whatever he wants to think about - there's a density and a complexity to the themes and the characters, and the much-noted Dogme style genuinely does help focus on these. It feels almost too real, shockingly funny, and uncomfortably confrontational. There's a heart Trier has in this film I don't see in some of his other stuff - the subject matter being so bold just highlights this skill more.
Rated 04 Feb 2015
larsvontrierLarsVonTrier
Rated 08 Feb 2021
1
3rd
it targets something but fails.
Rated 08 Feb 2021
miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 30 Mar 2009
68
64th
The premise is interesting and remains interesting throughout. The acting is, as usual for von Trier, outstanding. There are also several scenes in this that I expect I will never forget. On the other hand, I had a hard time watching this because none of the characters are very likable until the last stretch, and by that point everything is so messed up and heartbreaking that there's just not much joy to be had in watching this film. And ultimately, I felt I must have missed the point.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
greygwardargreygwardar
Rated 18 Apr 2024
40
14th
naurunauru
Rated 14 Nov 2012
3
1st
Not remotely funny. The film is just bizarre. Should have been ten minutes long, but instead they drag it out into over 90 minutes. The concept is interesting, but that's about it. As a film it's awful.
Rated 14 Nov 2012
mint00mint00
Rated 19 Apr 2024
50
27th
andreasthauAndreasThau
Rated 29 Sep 2010
45
25th
I felt irritated by the cinematography and the unnecessary vulgarity as a dogmafilm. Okay, that is what it is, but as a film without a plot that cought me, it went on my nerves in stead of inspiring my view or spicing it up. Having said that, it certainly is an important and - I admit - deservedly popular film, exploring limitations and based on an exciting idea. But that's Trier in a nutshell, right? This one wasn't my kinda film, and I won't succumb to Trier-ass-licking in spite of my faculty!
Rated 29 Sep 2010
detoxDetox
Rated 15 Mar 2020
83
71st
Raw and beautiful. We all play theatre so finding your inner idiot - the role which can make fun of all roles and show the absurdity of the games we play - seems like a perfect way to escape for a while. Of course problems don't end here and there are limits to this game. While I loved the premise of it all, the plot was a bit thin and I would have appreciated some more defined characters.
Rated 15 Mar 2020
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 02 Jun 2011
65
61st
It's a vulgar, brutal observation of modern society, with everything that is hypocrite about its people.
Rated 02 Jun 2011
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 08 May 2012
60
28th
If Jackass had a narrative, this would be it.
Rated 08 May 2012
gameboy1gameboy1
Rated 15 Jan 2010
99
90th
For me - the best movie of Lars von Trier
Rated 15 Jan 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 15 Jan 2012
85
84th
A film that's bound to push buttons, from the subject matter or the sexual content or the Dogme 95 style. But the movie is more thought-provoking than provocative in the usual sense. Von Trier isn't offering easy answers. Nor should he. The performers are quite good. The film is spiced with moments of humor and ends on a surprisingly touching note. Outside of the self-consciously shabby aesthetic my main complaint is he really didn't explore the implications of the sexuality of the group.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
morrisseyfanMorrisseyfan
Rated 01 Feb 2012
90
89th
What is in many respects the most difficult film in the Golden Heart Trilogy. The Idiots is a slow building tragedy that may be the most collectively shared nightmare of Von Trier's work. The dissolution of the spaz commune builds in ways that are uniquely tragic in a classic Von Trier fashion.
Rated 01 Feb 2012
caspiancaspian
Rated 20 Oct 2021
70
33rd
this feels like a forbidden film, the dialogue is wickedly manipulating and the scenes are completely absurd. somehow it's alluring despite its toxic premise
Rated 20 Oct 2021
dawolfeyDaWolfey
Rated 02 Jan 2011
76
94th
Outstanding acting, just amazingly good. It's so real to watch. The direction and filming style just smacks of realism - especially the engrossing final scene. The story is intriguing and engaging but it felt like it doesn't fully explore its own ideas and never reaches any sort of conclusion. Thats not a big negative though, it makes it more like a glimpse into their world that we then leave rather than a story with a beginning and end.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
rexperadoRexperado
Rated 09 Jan 2021
83
70th
Jackass + the office + dogma 95 = The Idiots This came out before both of those. Its hard to watch and it has a very sad ending. Really makes you think. Just remember its a MOVIE don't get mad at the actors or director.
Rated 09 Jan 2021
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 03 Dec 2015
80
73rd
Had a laugh and the style seemed to have an appeal with the dark humour and through the film's frivolous premise. Not impressing as a movie, so to speak, but fascinating as an experience.
Rated 03 Dec 2015
mandymandy
Rated 07 Sep 2011
7
73rd
Although uncomfortable to watch and not at all likeable.the film is memorable and thought provoking.
Rated 07 Sep 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 31 May 2009
85
95th
Very Nice Movie
Rated 31 May 2009
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 18 Dec 2023
40
5th
I kind of hated this movie. I dislike the concept of Dogme 95 in general, but that's not why this movie fails. I just hated all of these characters and everything they did. I know the movie is against it as well, but it's just not enjoyable watching them do it for two hours. The ending revelation saves it slightly, but still just a bad film. Von Trier has made some of my favorites and movies I love, but not this one.
Rated 18 Dec 2023
bolivarbolivar
Rated 20 Jan 2013
85
96th
refreshing piece of move that hit me deeply every now and then. von trier as usual displays a great skill in writing a script, and the dogme helps the movie by making it feel as if you are a spectator, viewing an actual happening. the ending scene in the apartment was strikingly uncomfortable and sad, as was everything with karen. von trier is one of the few directors these days that still push the envelope. having that said, it wasnt by any means close to being something of the best ive seen.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
icarusIcarus
Rated 09 Nov 2011
20
2nd
The final scene rightly receives the bulk of the applause. It's too bad that the rest of the movie is such a mind-numbing exercise in pointless provocation. Presumably some believe the film to be about freedom, but freedom to do whatever you want (such as acting like a disabled person or participating in an orgy) is not freedom at all, but rather bondage to one's own passions. Von Trier never establishes what this rebellion is about, removing any potential the idea might have had.
Rated 09 Nov 2011
paradigmaParadigma
Rated 10 Nov 2008
65
60th
Dogme#2, Trier... Even it has some criticism by "spassing", Trier did not strengthen it or "spassed" over the audience.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 07 Feb 2015
85
71st
One of the most audacious movies I've ever seen, honestly.
Rated 07 Feb 2015

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