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The Return
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The Return

2003
Drama
Mystery
1h 50m
In contemporary Russia young brothers Vanya and Andrey have grown a deep attachment to each other to make up for their fatherless childhood. They are shocked to discover their father has returned after a twelve year absence. With their mother's uneasy blessing Vanya and Andrey set out on what they believe will be a fishing vacation with their taciturn father. (Kino International)
Directed by:
Andrey Zvyagintsev Andrey Zvyagintsev
Written by:
Vladimir Moiseyenko Aleksandr Novototsky
+1 more
Starring:
Vladimir Garin Ivan Dobronravov Konstantin Lavronenko Konstantin Lavronenko Natalya Vdovina Galina Petrova
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Genres:
Drama, Mystery
AKAs:
Vozvrashchenie, Vozvrashcheniye
Country:
Russia
Language:
Russian
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Return

2003
Drama
Mystery
1h 50m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 73.14% from 1864 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 01 Nov 2009
6
34th
Style over substance film debut, one I wasn't too crazy about. It relies heavily on symbolism, which compensates for the lack of a commendable script. Intriguing, maybe, but also emotionally unengaging as every situation felt staged. Zvyagintsev has fun with a camera (I mean sure, the photography is breathtaking), but he doesn't seek to resolve much. I then watched the making of, an interesting look into the emotional journey they went through. Need a rewatch...
Rated 01 Nov 2009
evolutionEvolution
Rated 13 Oct 2009
73
45th
I'm still trying to understand why this is so highly rated. Even the cinematography didn't blow me away or anything.
Rated 13 Oct 2009
sellissellis
Rated 14 Jul 2009
28
7th
An unengaging and irritating script/acting but some relatively beautiful visuals. I really needed more than a half-assed allegory about fatherhood and a whiny brat's "chicken" arc to get interested. Colossally disappointed in this one.
Rated 14 Jul 2009
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 20 Feb 2011
70
50th
Russian films are very different beasts from "Hollywood" films ... "Story" is secondary to character, explanation gives way to allegory, excitement replaced by (often unresolved) tension, pacing discarded in favor of imagery (waving reeds, leaves rustling, rain falling). However much I loved watching this film, not least for the brilliant performances of the two young leads, unless one can appreciate, or "GET" the allegorical content, you risk feeling you have "missed the point" .... as I did.
Rated 20 Feb 2011
psixaospsiXaos
Rated 24 Feb 2007
80
83rd
It is a beautiful allegory of the Russia's recent history shot in the Tarkovsky style, as I understand it. The cinematography is just perfect. But while I appreciate the symbolism, some boring segments hurted the experience for me. My note may increase after a 2nd view.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 08 Nov 2018
85
94th
The young actor playing Vanya gives an almost unbelievably intense performance, and the visuals are marvellous. The film seems to have been trying some reviewers' patience, but - once I realized that it wasn't, as I had mistakenly presupposed, a ghost story - I was completely wrapped up in the simple plot.
Rated 08 Nov 2018
atgizaAtGiza
Rated 22 Feb 2011
59
53rd
taking lots of picturesque shots that don't work well together isn't my idea of good cinematography.
Rated 22 Feb 2011
anilscnanilscn
Rated 26 Sep 2018
45
38th
Çocuk on yaşında 40 değil, çocuk 10 yaşında 40 değil, çocuk 10 yaşında 40 değil. Böyle çok tekrar edersem belki anlaşılır. Her izlediğim sözde sanat filmlerinde niye çocuklar bok varmış gibi böyle davranıyor. Sevgili yönetmenler sizler moron musunuz acaba?
Rated 26 Sep 2018
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 03 Aug 2011
80
84th
Very engaging, effective story, excellent acting.
Rated 03 Aug 2011
henrikHenrik
Rated 30 Dec 2012
85
90th
Incredible debut. At once poetic and creepy, spewing with nervous energy. A mythical journey worthy of Tarkovsky is spiced with hitchcockian, or perhaps more precisely, chabrolian suspense. The acting, especially by the children, is excellent.
Rated 30 Dec 2012
pratchett3Pratchett3
Rated 09 Apr 2018
4
10th
why was the dad such an asshole, what was in the chest he dug up, what was the point of all this, why did they obnoxiously color grade everything blue/green, so many questions that never get answered
Rated 09 Apr 2018
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 18 Jun 2014
84
91st
This film is stunning. By letting the viewer in on only a minimum of clues, Zvyagintsev keeps the story permanently balanced on a knife-edge, able to go almost anywhere next. You will go from hating characters, to loving them, and back to hating again. You will wish all sorts of things to happen, and the one that does will still surprise you. And that title. Sit and think about that for a while. Performances, A . Locations, A . Cinematography, A . An oustanding Russian film.
Rated 18 Jun 2014
cgcorecgcore
Rated 29 Mar 2015
49
26th
i can't be the only one who find this way too overrated right?
Rated 29 Mar 2015
tipartipar
Rated 23 May 2018
60
68th
Interesting, a little Mystery there because we do not know where the movie will take us. The little kid is a genius, well acted indeed.
Rated 23 May 2018
kafka1325kafka1325
Rated 25 Jun 2007
59
49th
Visual one of the best in the last year, but story for me was too simple.....
Rated 25 Jun 2007
kenchekenche
Rated 25 Nov 2007
72
53rd
I cannot understand why tiers are so high for a simple story. Watching second time may increase my note a little bit but i really hardly watched it in the first time.
Rated 25 Nov 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 21 Mar 2007
75
89th
Great film,But what was in the box!!!!!!!!!!.
Rated 21 Mar 2007
icarusIcarus
Rated 07 Oct 2007
90
89th
Beautiful images punctuate this chilling tale of father and sons. The film utilizes Christological imagery in order to ground the Father's character, whose mysterious, godlike return to his children remains an enigma throughout the film. The meditative style fits the mythical, symbolic material well. And yet, the film remains rooted in the painful tensions of everyday relationships, giving the proceedings a sense of nearness to human experience, even as they speak to the transcendent in life.
Rated 07 Oct 2007
larmorlarmor
Rated 21 Jan 2019
76
74th
I'm not bothered by the unanswered questions but by the interpretation that we can give to it. It's sure a nice, tense and beautifully shot ride, but it's so mysterious that it it frustrates any attempt to interpret it, as opposed to Tarkovsky who often gives you enough clues to trigger reflections about humanity.
Rated 21 Jan 2019
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 08 Dec 2012
83
82nd
Gorgeous photography and pretty astonishing performances by the two young actors highlight an otherwise frustrating film. Ambiguity takes the better half of what seems to be an almost mythical journey by a broken family. Still, the intrigue and great filmmaking caught by interest.
Rated 08 Dec 2012
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 20 Jan 2009
74
90th
Haunting and beautiful poetic allegory. I respect its deviance to traditional dramatic paradigms; the director could easily have made it more emotive by making the soundtrack more prevalent and adding a couple more affecting scenes. Perhaps its implicit harshness and detachment ultimately add more. Tartovskian -- certainly -- but with appreciated nods to established dramatic techniques.
Rated 20 Jan 2009
damildamil
Rated 22 Aug 2015
65
54th
A pretty impressive debut. It's a somewhat frustrating film, as not all of the answers are simply given to you. I liked a lot of elements of it, but I didn't connect with it much on a personal level. I think it's still worth a try, though.
Rated 22 Aug 2015
vincentevincente
Rated 06 Nov 2007
79
69th
null
Rated 06 Nov 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 18 Sep 2021
77
53rd
Engrossing, simmering slow-burn is frustrating in that it never really comes to the boil - a second viewing would likely be more satisfying, knowing where the unpredictable storyline is leading. Well performed by the three leads who bring a credibility to the material which occasionally needs it - the third act conflict feels a little too contrived and on-the-nose to be inherently satisfying. Still an interesting (and gorgeously photographed) effort, especially if steely blues are your fetish!
Rated 18 Sep 2021
chengmingchengming
Rated 13 Mar 2022
80
87th
There's the odd scene that comes across as a bit contrived, but there are plenty of beautiful shots to make up for that - plus the amazing face of Dobronravov, which must have been made just for this role!
Rated 13 Mar 2022
onyedionyedi
Rated 30 Nov 2021
90
93rd
The metaphorical value this film has is quite something but metaphors are worthless without a good story. This movie achieves what many other metaphorical movies have failed: a great story even if there were no metaphors. We understand in the first scene that 2 brothers don’t look after each other. They don’t know how to be a man, so their mother invites their father to teach them “the life”, one is willing to obey him and other one wants to live in his own way…
Rated 30 Nov 2021
jammerjammer
Rated 07 Mar 2014
95
0th
Can't think of anything wrong with it, which is, in fact, a ringing endorsement: As clean a movie as this I cheer and cherish. It's a story fits in the palm of your hand, uncomfortable and beautiful without needing to flex. The two young actors steering - Vladimir Garin (RIP) & Ivan Dobronravov - are great. Made me think of Keisha Castle-Hughes' go in "Whale Rider." Believable, beautiful. Throughout, nature is so present - foreboding and also beautiful - it almost deserved subtitles.
Rated 07 Mar 2014
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 27 Nov 2009
83
72nd
Intriguing for sure, the haunting images and the mysterious actions of the characters inspire curiosity for what is in essence a pretty mundane story. The effect doesn't really last beyond the film, though.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
scurryscurry
Rated 26 Sep 2009
65
85th
Growing up fast.
Rated 26 Sep 2009
omeremreomeremre
Rated 08 Feb 2021
80
88th
sovyetler birliğini 12 yıl sonra ete kemiğe büründürüp rusya ile çatışmalarını bu şekilde imgeleyebilmek ve çerçeveyi genişleterek tanrıyı da baba üzerinden böylesine tasvir edebilmek takdir edilesi. görseller de cabası.
Rated 08 Feb 2021
levinelevine
Rated 24 Oct 2020
80
90th
Despite the slow pace, the tension keeps building as the film leaves civilization behind for a beautiful, sparse wilderness. We are left guessing what the father character wants and what he might be capable of doing. The young actors are amazing.
Rated 24 Oct 2020
nmroshannmroshan
Rated 29 Apr 2017
89
90th
simply impactful
Rated 29 Apr 2017
helfen419helfen419
Rated 07 Jan 2011
70
39th
Good, but why would they even show the box getting dug up if they're not gonna tell you what's in it.
Rated 07 Jan 2011
michaelm2391michaelm2391
Rated 04 Apr 2020
68
62nd
two lil squirts get dadded, and the dad, in turn, gets squirted. not for the fast-paced of heart. more stocked with beginnings, middles, and ends than any one discernable 'why?' factor. could be worse; we could have done with another russian coming-of-age flick that isn't 'come and see'. nice visuals if you give a shit
Rated 04 Apr 2020
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 18 Oct 2020
90
95th
Andrey: "Hide it."
Rated 18 Oct 2020
coffeecoffee
Rated 02 Aug 2007
83
81st
"Feeling Begins" was a good surprise at the start.
Rated 02 Aug 2007
nackermanNackerman
Rated 02 Oct 2018
70
48th
Although The Return is full of beautiful photography and has a haunting mood, it ultimately leaves the viewer feeling lukewarm.
Rated 02 Oct 2018
mysticMystic
Rated 03 Feb 2019
5
88th
Let me complete the word astonishing: "astonishingly good."
Rated 03 Feb 2019
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 21 Feb 2016
13
69th
Star Rating: ★★★1/2
Rated 21 Feb 2016
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
75
59th
8?????????????????…
Rated 06 Aug 2021
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 17 Jan 2010
82
73rd
A haunting debut feature. It gives you room to think about the metaphorical implications, while also serving just fine as a surface narrative. A bit "been there, seen that" at first, but as the story develops it comes into its own. It greatly resembles Tarkovsky, with a slow-paced tempo and long, lingering close-ups. The color palette is drained, painting a world of drab blue-grays that matches the bleakness of the story. The two boys were both passable for child actors.
Rated 17 Jan 2010
obtiosovobtiosov
Rated 06 Nov 2011
96
98th
Tbe best debut film of the 2000s. One of the top-8 to top-10 films of this century. Rewatch didn't disappoint. (26/09/2023)
Rated 06 Nov 2011
judge_holdenJudge Holden
Rated 22 Dec 2010
5
69th
Gorgeous, but too heavily reliant on increasingly obvious symbolism to have any lasting impact. Fades in the memory.
Rated 22 Dec 2010
mrcimrci
Rated 19 Dec 2021
71
73rd
Great actors and cinematography. Multitude of possible plot explanations; religious symbolism, conflict between father and sons.
Rated 19 Dec 2021
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 01 Oct 2018
77
54th
Visually excellent and with nearly flawless acting there was great potential for something better. Unfortunately the story lacked purpose and felt uninteresting for too long parts of the film.
Rated 01 Oct 2018
margustaMargusTa
Rated 24 Jan 2021
97
95th
One of the best movies released in 2003. There is plenty on talented actors and film-makers in Russia. Zvyagintsev is one of them. Movie is really full of suspense and the boat trip is really creepy and makes you truly shiver for the sake of the children.
Rated 24 Jan 2021
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 23 Feb 2009
80
94th
The story of a father who comes back into the lives of his children, with no mention of where he's been, teaching them life lessons, albeit without his sons truly knowing it. I especially like the nonhollywood ending, what you are left with is more questions than answers,and it works for this film.

I feel the need to quote the movie, 'Se7en', "What's in the box?!?"
Rated 23 Feb 2009
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 25 Feb 2015
73
79th
There is not a lot to the subtext, about the impossibility to mend and compensate for an old loss, and I had mixed feelings about the repetitious rut that forms at some point, but it's undoubtedly an intelligent and sensitive and very well-made debut in every other respect.
Rated 25 Feb 2015
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 03 May 2012
83
63rd
Suspenseful, mysterious story of two boys who suddenly have to go on a trip with their father. A bit slow at parts, but worth the ride.
Rated 03 May 2012
le_mamile mami
Rated 11 Jun 2019
80
82nd
Bi ayda anca bitirdim.
Rated 11 Jun 2019
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 30 Dec 2022
82
79th
This is excellent. Very Russian. Feels like a Tarkovsky at times aesthetically and thematically, though stylistically it's quite different--editing styles are not the same (much shorter takes, etc) and the camerawork is not always as subtle. This makes it a bit less hypnotic than the best Tarkovskys. The story and performances are compelling. Perhaps not enough answers for my taste, but it's so well made and really drew me in.
Rated 30 Dec 2022
homo_ludensHomo Ludens
Rated 07 May 2020
81
48th
Only good dad is the sugar one. (Even he is questionable)
Rated 07 May 2020
thmertensth_mertens
Rated 01 Jul 2007
88
95th
Simply amazing in every aspect.
Rated 01 Jul 2007
bolivarbolivar
Rated 31 May 2012
85
96th
really nice toned-down, beautiful and sad story.
Rated 31 May 2012
zoomineeZoominee
Rated 30 Jan 2008
80
79th
??????????? (Vozvrashcheniye)
Rated 30 Jan 2008
medikolaynmedikolayn
Rated 23 Feb 2014
90
94th
i am so sad because i learned that andrey (Vladimir Garin) died in 2003.
Rated 23 Feb 2014

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