Irreversible

Irreversible

2002
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order.
Your probable score
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Irreversible

2002
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 59.36% from 4516 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(4516)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 14 Jan 2009
95
99th
The reverse-ordering storytelling device is not a gimmick. It helps emphasize the transitoriness of life, while making an insightful point about the difference of perceiving violence in and out of context. In the end you're left shaken, having traveled from hell and back, but even though it's a very unpleasant movie to watch, it is also an incredibly powerful experience. Both ugly and beautiful, this is a profound work of art.
Rated 01 Jun 2011
94
97th
brutally raw. aesthetically violent. shockingly disturbing. breathtaking performances. excellent soundtrack. impeccable editing. masterful direction. an unforgettable experience. god, how i wish i hadn't watched it at all.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
94
99th
Spirals within spirals within the overall entropic spiral. The greatest movie of the 21st century thus far, establishing Noé as the first great 21st century director. That said, there will be many people who could never be persuaded to like this film. Note: first viewing must be nowhere else than at a well-equipped big screen cinema and the projectionist must be unafraid of screening it at high volume. In my case, first viewing was at the George in St Kilda, with David Barison and Adam Bandt.
Rated 18 Jun 2007
91
96th
One of the most disturbing, visceral, and traumatizing films ever. However, there is no doubt it is extremely well-made, and the camera work defies the gimmick it starts out as and adds to the sheer impact of the film. At the end of the film, we see blue sky for the first time since it began, and it's a relief to finally see it after the red and yellow tinted madness that proceeded it. The emotional intensity guarantees you won't forget it.
Rated 16 Sep 2011
95
99th
Never has a film left me so disorientated, sick and depressed and yet left no doubt in my mind that I'd just witnessed a masterpiece. There has never been, or ever will be, a film like "Irréversible".
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
96th
Pretty groundbreaking stuff. One of the most gruelling film experiences you'll ever endure but innovative and brilliantly made. Contains the most horrific and discomforting example of violence against women I've ever seen.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
95
98th
An amazingly provocative meditation on the life-crushing ripples every act of violence has. I have never seen a more thematically complete, conscientious, & dedicated critique and denouncement of violence. With unique cinematography, incredible acting, & intense dedication, we are shown the ripple effects of violence in FULL. This movie will make you feel like your guts were ripped out w/ a scene of two caring lovers enjoying a beautiful moment. Violence is IRREVERSIBLE. Stop hurting each other.
Rated 26 Oct 2008
100
98th
One of the most moving/disturbing movies of my life. And a excellent soundtrack by Thomas Bangalter (1/2 of Daft Punk)
Rated 07 Dec 2009
4
96th
i usually get laid on dvd night. not after watching this movie
Rated 25 Nov 2009
93
97th
Argh, fuuuuck. Incredibly intense, not just the violence but the camerawork, which is absolutely genius, some of the best I've ever seen, and insane without being overpowering. The chronology is incredibly effective, and while people may say it goes too far I think it's absolutely necessary considering the story it tells and the way it tells it.
Rated 22 Jan 2010
96
98th
Opening with an epilogue featuring the Butcher from I Stand Alone, he tells us what we're in for: "Time destroys everything." The rest of the film proceeds to show us how lives can be ruined as viscerally as possible. You might hate Irreversible, but you won't forget it. Ultimately this brutal odyssey illuminates as much as it darkens and might even make you cherish love and life; nonetheless, approach with caution.
Rated 11 Aug 2012
15
1st
While I realize that not all movies are meant to entertain, I'm not sure what the underlying message of this film is except to make the viewer uncomfortable. The director enlisted a high pitch sound that has been known to cause nausea for one of the sequences. That's right, he sought out means to make you nauseous. I like my upset stomach to come from the acting stylings of Steven Seagal, thank you very much.
Rated 24 Jul 2007
92
95th
Wonderful film. I find it a bit funny that this very graphic film is, in a way, the most puritanical film that I have seen in awhile. I believe that much of the negative criticism that this film has had to bear stems from poor interpretations and understandings of the film.
Rated 28 May 2008
95
96th
"Irreversible" rendered me speechless. It's a brutal and amazing film which I would never, EVER recommend to anybody except the most avid film buffs.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
93
99th
oh. my. god.
Rated 28 Nov 2011
85
82nd
.Movie this forget never will I
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
92nd
Like I Stand Alone, this is another highly stylized and intensely brutal film from Gaspar Noe (it even opens with the main character from ISA, and provides a kind of epilogue for him). The manically swooping and swirling camera really enhances the uneasiness you feel (though surprisingly doesn't make you feel that dizzy). It's an ugly, disturbing movie, but like ISA, I think it's also very important. One rarely gets to see something so dark and bleak.
Rated 22 Feb 2008
6
99th
It's been almost a year since the first (and last) time I saw Irreversible and I still can't get certain scenes out of my head. I don't think I ever will. Deeply affective... approach it with caution.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
80
77th
Contains some unbelievably brutal scenes. The story is told in reverse, which hammers home the inevitability of things and makes the final scenes unbearable.
Rated 29 Apr 2009
3
74th
The background noise, the constantly moving and often spinning camera, the brutal violence - it all sickens you and hypnotizes you at the same time, it's impossible to look away. And the playful loving at the end (or should I say beginning) of the movie gives the it an emotional impact as well. It took me a couple of viewings to "appreciate" this movie, but for me it now firmly stands as one of this decennium's best.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
9
92nd
Awww, now I'm all dizzy
Rated 05 Oct 2011
97
98th
If you are looking for a kind of movie that will challenge you, the way you think and feel, it's this one.
Rated 18 Feb 2012
93
98th
Every time I think about this movie, I come back to Criticker and give it a higher rating. It's easily one of the most powerful movies around. And it's a technical masterpiece in that every aspect - cinematography, music, structure, etc - manipulates the audience in a very deliberate way.
Rated 16 Jun 2014
90
97th
Some films qualify as provocative, but this feels like an assault on both our senses and our moral compass. A dark, bleak, brutal, uncomfortable and borderline unwatchable film, yet so brilliantly crafted that there's almost an inherent beauty to its ugliness. The only other thing I can think of that's comparable is Salo, and this far outdoes that. I'm never going to watch this movie again. I can't think of a single person on the planet I'd recommend it to. It's a masterpiece.
Rated 17 Dec 2006
85
91st
The only film that I thought was great but will not recommend to anyone.
Rated 02 Jul 2008
89
95th
Succeeds in everything it seeks to do. Irréversible unfolds in reverse chronological order, so to highlight the disparity between what her life once was and its inevitable devastation, with growing significance, painful acuity -- by the end of the film, it's almost unbearable.
Rated 13 Oct 2009
65
58th
Gaspar Noé doesn't like you... That's what he's trying to explain through his movies...
Rated 06 Nov 2009
7
68th
(rewatch) I appreciated it a lot more the second time around. All of the shocking moments are just as tense and uncomfortable to watch as they were before. I'm conflicted with this film. On the one hand it is an amazing use of film as a medium. The use of music builds tension so perfectly, the cinematography disorients you completely and the acting is really naturalistic. And on the other, it's really absurd and the characters are ridiculous.
Rated 02 Oct 2011
99
99th
An absolute masterpiece containing stunning acting, writing, music and cinematography, all of which are unfortunately overshadowed by the infamous graphic and lengthy rape scene.
Rated 22 Dec 2011
95
99th
Holy... what a ride! During the rape scene I had decided to give this movie a 0 out of sheer protest, but then I changed my mind... Id need more space than this gives me to properly describe my emotions concerning this movie. Anyways: fantastic acting and I especially loved the scenes before (well after, in the movie) the rape. They would, however, not have had the same effect without the excessively long violent scenes.
Rated 28 Dec 2011
91
92nd
One you will remember. Extraordinary storytelling, combined with very strong performances (huge fan of Vincent Cassel). Great respect for Bellucci in this one aswell. Real star of the film is Gaspar Noé who shows you some very gruesome images and scénes but does it with such great camerawork and editing. The rape-scene is one of my favorite moviescene's in filmhistory, not because of the disturbing content but because of the decisions made by Gaspar (camerapostion) and a powerfull Belluci.
Rated 14 Jun 2012
90
93rd
This WILL stay with you. Incredibly well made, with some brilliant performances. I'll probably never watch it again. EVER. Possibly Gaspar's best film. I personally think Enter the Void took it's approach a little too far...but THIS, THIS is a masterpiece, albeit an intensely disturbing and violent one.
Rated 15 Jul 2012
92
88th
Indeed, irreversible on my brain. I still remember a few frames in it, like i`d seen it yesterday. Almost excellent plot, only bit i would have preferred to be different was the very last ending thought. Brilliantly crafted and haunting. Yum.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
92
95th
A dizzying, sickening, cynical, terrifying film that stayed with me. Expertly shot with long, unbroken takes, the movie is like a brass-knuckled punch to the stomach. The happy tone of the ending only makes the preceding events that much more horrible. I applaud Gasper Noe for his ability to illustrate the depravity of humanity. The only thing I dislike is the overall sense of hopelessness we feel at the end. An amazing piece of art, but don't watch it if you're depressed.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
82nd
If you can stick with it to the end, you'll find yourself irreversibly affected by this brutal, unflinching movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
90th
Fantastic, really twists with your mind.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
32nd
Rough to watch but not pornographic in that it's not meant to tittilate, but to give thought and voice to the bad stuff that happens on a daily basis.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
100
87th
This movie redefined what a good movie was for me. I had never looked so deeply into a film before. The cast, camera angles, lighting, plot, and total execution of Irreversible is amazing.
Rated 23 Dec 2008
84
68th
Traumatizing, filthy and daringly explict, Irreversible pushes the envelope a little too far on the levels of gore and sexual content. In fact, it's almost impossible to watch in a full viewing itself.
Rated 11 Mar 2009
80
62nd
Rectum? Damn near killed 'em! Man, that joke never gets old. Rape Scene Rating: 9.8
Rated 22 Apr 2009
5
94th
One of my all-time favorites. Gets better and better with every watch.
Rated 11 May 2009
91
82nd
Hard film, strong images and theme. But its still a film of beauty.
Rated 18 May 2009
98
84th
The music really intensifies this movie
Rated 25 Aug 2009
7
99th
I've never seen anything quite like this.
Rated 27 Aug 2009
87
56th
This brutal backwards journey into the darkside of human nature is well acted, creative and recommended.
Rated 18 Nov 2009
90
63rd
Hypnotic, dangerous, and disturbing. Belucci and Cassel are great.
Rated 20 Nov 2009
93
96th
This is because of Vincent Cassel and Gaspar Noe. The directing was literally the best I've ever seen, so fitting to the hectic atmosphere of the movie that I was left speechless at the end. Cassel is in my top 5 favorite actors and he and the other lead executed their parts amazingly
Rated 15 May 2010
83
85th
Probably the most intense movie I never want to watch again.
Rated 04 Jun 2010
86
88th
Great. A story of life. The story here is told in reverse in segments, each segment being one long unedited cut. We are shown the revenge, the rape and life before it. The film portrays unbearably tragic violence and heart-achingly beautiful personal moments. Vincent Cassel is at the top of his game and Miss Bellucci turns in a surprisingly effective performance as well. A visceral masterpiece that must be experienced. Highly Recommended.
Rated 05 Jun 2010
93
90th
what a good movie...and there is a rape scene in this movie that is way too real and oh my god is this movie brutal and unapologetic....awesome stuff
Rated 26 Jul 2010
96
95th
His critics say that Noé use his movies as a weapon to spread multi-violence and brainless brutality, but that is not the truth. He takes focus to the dark side of humans mind, to deviant and dark doings of unconscionable people. It is reality. Irreversible is an exhausting but worthwhile trip into fear, despair and desperation that leads to only one possibility: decay.
Rated 01 Aug 2010
90
88th
Very difficult to sit through, but I can't deny its amazing potency as a piece of art.
Rated 20 Oct 2010
9
92nd
I'm giving this a random positive score for now as I'm still not sure what I thought about it. The scenes within the club were hard to watch, and the rape seen did just go on and on but I loved the camera work/editing. The story telling and strobe light ending were effective. Its a hard one to know what you think about it.
Rated 08 Feb 2011
87
94th
Amazing camera-work and editing. I like the story and its message, but the rape scene is extremely hard to watch. I didn't have a problem with the night club scenes though, the editing and camera-work made them just fascinating to watch.
Rated 16 Feb 2012
75
75th
Months after watching this and I still can't look at a fire extinguisher the same way I did before. Saw a preschool up in flames a few weeks back, all the kids locked inside. Could have saved them. Could have put the fire out. Had an extinguisher right on me, but just couldn't get myself to use it. 38 kids burned to death that day. It was sad. Sad until I realized that those 38 kids were lucky enough not to have see this movie. And I found out later on they were all Chinese. Then I felt better.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
90
95th
Exceptionally difficult to watch at times but ultimately a worthwhile experience.
Rated 09 Jan 2013
95
98th
A perfectly crafted denunciation of violence in film where the voyeristic, sociopathic camera forces the viewer to acknowledge everything that is happening. Every fan of Quentin Tarantino should see this and take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Rated 03 Mar 2013
97
97th
i went to see this at the cinema with a friend who pretty much summed up my thoughts on the film "it was amazing, no film has ever stayed with me like this one...i never ever ever want to watch it again"
Rated 01 Jun 2013
95
79th
A magnificent nightmare. Exposing the darkest of life. A film with no need to watch twice, and that's not a negative critique.
Rated 08 Feb 2015
92
98th
I don't feel dizzy... and I can writ my rewiev properl...
Rated 27 Feb 2018
90
93rd
Some scenes (especially *that* scene) feel like they're made uncomfortable for the sake of it, but this is a masterclass in film-making. Telling the story in reverse aids the story and creates empathy in a unique, uneasy way, which is apt given the subject matter of the film.
Rated 15 Sep 2018
85
74th
Bizarre and extremely gripping. It carries this intensity all the way to the end (beginning) where you connect with the hopeless essence of time. Gaspar leads you through this labyrinth of trauma that's pitiless to the audience, but a substantial display of his mastery.
Rated 16 Jul 2021
60
27th
A rather trivial message pushed to infamity by two truly disturbing scenes. Seriously, if this didn't have the doubtful honour of featuring one of the most endless and gratuitous rape scenes in movie history (imagine that scene just being the standard two minutes with a fade to black) , I don't think this would get much talking about
Rated 30 Dec 2006
5
0th
Unwatchable. Obviously deliberately so, but I'm not impressed. The main problem was the stupid rolling camera technique. Good for about 5 seconds, and then just annoying, but never stopping. That's even before the ridiculous gay club scene and the bludgeoning.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
87
88th
2 of the most brutal scenes I've ever seen in a movie.
Rated 10 Mar 2007
53
41st
One critic wrote that this is "too artfully crafted to be written off as exploitation". Irreversible is all about able cinematographic razzle-dazzle, but is clever craftsmanship really what separates art from exploitation? The novelty of unspeakably violent rape scenes wears off after you've seen as many like-minded movies as I have (even though this one is relatively realistic). What's left? Well, Irreversible isn't bad, but it isn't as thought-provoking as it sets out to be.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
86
54th
A dark descent into the unfairness of life and destiny. Beautiful in all it's horror.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
85th
I really wouldnt want to be you if this movie didnt somehow widen your conception of how nasty things can get between us homo saps. its also physically gruelling viewing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
63rd
So real ..
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
98th
Phenomenal.
Rated 12 Jan 2008
80
91st
Every bit as disturbing as its reputation suggests. Misanthropic, disturbing, visceral and unforgettable.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
80
64th
Brutal rape scene. Watch at your own risk.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
50
55th
The quintessential unsophisticated film, in a very special sense. Very primitive, and very moral. On one hand, wants to be artistic and provocative, but long stretches are just confusing, even boring, as if a study in shouting and jerky camerawork. Still, the themes explored (violence and sex, together and separately) are extremely interesting, and the infamous scene is deeply disturbing. We need films like this, that don't shy away, because they are so rare, but they can be so much better done.
Rated 16 Aug 2008
90
88th
Seriously harrowing. You won't be able to bring yourself to watch it twice.
Rated 06 Sep 2008
70
21st
The most disturbing film I have ever seen, and I never EVER want to watch it again, but that doesn't mean it was "bad." I can't decide whether to rate it a 90 or a 0.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
95
76th
If you don't cringe, you have no soul
Rated 09 Apr 2009
90
84th
mind numbing
Rated 09 Jul 2009
95
95th
9 temmuz 09.01:31 & zaman herseyi yokeder. ***** mukemmel ses tasarimi ve kurgusu. dogaclama oyunculuklari ve tek plan cekimleri. kirmiziya calan goruntusu ve senaryo. daha baska? ha evet yonetmenlik. Unutulmaz- Unutulmasi guc ve etkili, derinden bir deneyim. iste sinema! keske bu filmi ben yapsaymisim dedirten bir film. gercek, sinirlari zorlayan.. son sahne umut verici degil tam tersi!
Rated 18 Jul 2009
15
16th
you be so shocked (if you are less than 12 and/or a girly girl) that you'll forget that this gimmick film is a piece of crap.
Rated 02 Aug 2009
60
45th
mind damage at highest level
Rated 06 Oct 2009
3
38th
Unflinchingly bleak, brutal, and horrifying. You will rarely, if ever, see a movie this uninhibited towards such a terrible subject. It's sad and ugly and extremely powerful.
Rated 10 Oct 2009
8
94th
I wouldn't pretend to call this insightful, but it is by far Noe's greatest achievement. It sets out to disturb and does so with tremendous conviction. The narrative gimmick isn't what sells this for me. Unlike basically everything else of his I've seen, which I would generously describe as "juvenile", Noe seems to have found a subject matter and theme that works on a purely visceral level. It's a film that will leave you visibly shaken for some time.
Rated 11 Nov 2009
70
38th
Disturbing. Brutal. Shocking.
Rated 17 Apr 2010
75
51st
Shut the curtains, turn up the volume, press play and slowely curl into the foetal position, with a terrifying skull crushing and drawn out rape scene it's certainly realistic, but not for the faint of heart, advice- Don't smoke any illegal plants before you watch, you'll regret it.
Rated 10 May 2010
88
96th
Probably the 'angriest' film I've ever seen. A white-knuckle fist to your mouth in film form. Groundbreaking manipulation of sound (that high frequency drone...) and image collide in a landmark example of cinematic nihilism at its most terrifying, most violent, most staggering.
Rated 12 Jun 2010
95
89th
Très cérébrale, excellent film.
Rated 17 Aug 2010
90
93rd
This film is very tonal to say the least. Appropriate use of colors and the camerawork is far less a gimmick rather than what is intended. Despite a lot of people reactions to this; I felt it added a lot to the work. I personally enjoy movies out of sequence because it gives it that twist of lemon to sweeten it up a bit. The last half hour of the movie, wtih Alex and Marcus in bed is probably my favorite because it has some of the best dialogue and acting of the film.
Rated 23 Aug 2010
97
99th
I can barely put into words how I feel about this film, so I'll just say that Gaspar Noe knows how to dive into an ocean of diarrhoea and pull out a diamond.
Rated 06 Sep 2010
80
73rd
This is powerful, this contains scenes that you may find emotionally crippling, this is structured in a creative way that is unique and emotionally uncompromising, this may be described as a brilliant piece of cinema making. However, it has waned for me somewhat over the years and perhaps on reflection I see something bold and profound in it that walks a tightrope above unnecessary trauma. Whether Noé strikes the balance is best left for you to judge.
Rated 27 Nov 2010
75
65th
Brutal watch.
Rated 28 May 2011
90
85th
I kind of want to write an essay entitled "Ass-Fuckery and Irreversible." You can't really write just a few sentences about this movie. Did anybody else notice that the worst locations in this film were places with unbridled male sexuality? The gay bar comes across as the most horrible place on earth. The red hallway qualifies, too. This film speaks some horrible truths about men, but it's wonderful. It's also wonderful because of all the the mystical, spiritual stuff. So good.
Rated 10 Aug 2011
70
77th
I do believe that Irréversible is worth a watch. It does carry emotional weight, and once it begins, you'll want to see what events led to the ones you just saw. It's tough to stop watching it, even if you need to cover your eyes during a couple of points. It's definitely not a film for everyone, or even most people, but it's an important film that is, at the very least, interesting thanks to the way it was put together. But, once again, I must reinforce that it is not a film for everyone.
Rated 09 Sep 2011
58
32nd
Wanted to like this more.
Rated 02 Oct 2011
83
62nd
Gaspar Noe's masterful camera acrobatics are on full display here, but the camera stays mercilessly still for the film's central sequence, where Alex (Monica Bellucci) is raped and beaten senseless by a vicious stranger. Before this, we hideous revenge taken for the attack; after this we see the events that led up to it. The story is a touch underwhelming, but Noe tells it in a gripping fashion, and the strong performances of Bellucci and Vincent Cassel (as her lover) carry it through.
Rated 14 Dec 2011
75
91st
Although I'm not entirely certain whether this is a masterpiece, it certainly feels like it at points. Simultaneously repulsive and engaging, beautiful and ugly, brutal and artistic.
Rated 01 Feb 2012
93
75th
Great movie, but not for everyone
Rated 06 Apr 2012
84
71st
This movie plays a series of scenes in reverse chronological order and uses this as more of a novel experiment than a gimmick. It's sometimes so violent or the camera work so disorienting that it's hard to watch, but these things work with the themes that are presented: the perception of time, the uncertainty of perception, the inadequacy of action. It also calms down on the camera work/violence and gives us an interesting story while offering many calmer, unbroken shots that are well filmed.
Rated 09 Jun 2012
30
18th
Absolutely HORRIFIC! This movie did not need to be made, and I certainly never needed to watch it. Horrible, terrible story, awful haunting graphics, don't be surprised if this movie makes you physically sick and haunts your dreams. It is a graphic portrayal of the worst kind of sick twisted horror. Anyone wanting to become a vigilante needs to watch this.
Rated 28 Aug 2012
80
54th
scary stuff, vincent cassel is always great...
Rated 12 Sep 2012
65
53rd
Very hard to rate. Almost every scene feels very uncomfortable and tense, except for maybe the last scene (which ends.. uncomfortably). I couldn't watch the all of rape scene, it was just too horrific and had to skip through it. Though apart from all the disturbing parts, the camera work is really very impressive and quite something. Couldn't watch this movie without a break

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