The Lobster
A24 | Release Date: May 13, 2016
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 526 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
382
Mixed:
81
Negative:
63
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User Reviews

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9
mc042Nov 25, 2017
Very unusual and satirical. Enjoyed every minute of it. It made me watch the few other films made by the director. Great cast, great acting. Could watch it anytime. I understand the bad reviews as it isn't a movie for everyone and not whatVery unusual and satirical. Enjoyed every minute of it. It made me watch the few other films made by the director. Great cast, great acting. Could watch it anytime. I understand the bad reviews as it isn't a movie for everyone and not what one would expect.… Expand
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10
nielsnableJan 8, 2018
The Lobster exposes effectively the tragic yet humorous pitfalls of forced and timed relationships through its desperate characters, disturbing premise, and incredibly cinematic scenes. Fans of dystopian stories must watch this well-writtenThe Lobster exposes effectively the tragic yet humorous pitfalls of forced and timed relationships through its desperate characters, disturbing premise, and incredibly cinematic scenes. Fans of dystopian stories must watch this well-written and thought-provoking film.… Expand
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8
amheretojudgeJan 16, 2018
i think we are a match..

The Lobster

The narration, key points, comedy, plot and background score everything is dark here from head to toe and Yorgos still qualifies it to offer a message.
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9
GrachechkovskiMar 15, 2020
Great movie which has a mix of metaphors, satires, humor and philosophy. Strong view of our real human morlity and behavior to life, feelings, relationships.
Actors play are very impressive, the story has end and it is complete.
If I wouldGreat movie which has a mix of metaphors, satires, humor and philosophy. Strong view of our real human morlity and behavior to life, feelings, relationships.
Actors play are very impressive, the story has end and it is complete.
If I would watch this film with a clear mind (without smoking), I could understand it in same way… Expand
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2
KenROct 12, 2022
The Lobster – Or Is It a Lame Duck? Perhaps the main things to know about this movie are; it’s co-written, produced, and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and liked by people who seem to think they must be good judges because they like movies thatThe Lobster – Or Is It a Lame Duck? Perhaps the main things to know about this movie are; it’s co-written, produced, and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and liked by people who seem to think they must be good judges because they like movies that most don’t. As with “The Killing Of A Sacred Deer” this is yet another of those murky, semi-serious works that tries so hard to be ‘different’ that it stumbles over itself, falling flat on its own pretensions. Lanthimos tends to be trapped in his desire to be the new Kubrick, with his constant obsession for human emotional detachment – also for scenes that run longer than necessary to establish their purpose. It’s a minor point, but it tended to appear that because of obvious budget restraints, this ‘futuristic dystopian’ comment on human relationships takes place in locations that are either obviously present-day or perhaps too old to convey their intended era.

Dialogue and many ideas are so outlandish the interesting cast - often seem to give the impression of wondering what they are supposed to do next. So much in-depth comment might have been achieved within this ‘satire’ on failed human relationships, but Lanthimos and his writers tend to be happy with simply using dumbed-down, crude sensationalistic dialog and situations, to replace the lack of human expression. Attempts at satirical comedy are mainly achieved through heavy-handed, sadistic, or ugly cruelty --to both humans and animals-- cheapening the final outcomes. The whole thing then ambles on for so long, that any vague interest suffocates under its own self-idolizing over-indulgence. Strictly for the festival crowds or those that might feel superior liking subjects that disinterest (or repel) others.… Expand
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7
Slovenly_MuseSep 1, 2018
The mounting absurdity of the premise is made all the sweeter by the film's deadpan delivery. It offers a refreshing and fascinating take on relationships and loneliness, but the film unfortunately plateaus in its final third and goes on aThe mounting absurdity of the premise is made all the sweeter by the film's deadpan delivery. It offers a refreshing and fascinating take on relationships and loneliness, but the film unfortunately plateaus in its final third and goes on a touch too long. If you like movies that need you to put in some brain power, give this one a shot!… Expand
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9
ahmedaiman1999Mar 22, 2019
I can't think of any movie that has effortlessly explored the human relationships with such insight, profundity, authenticity, and accuracy. Lanthimos simply took some stereotypes and utilized them flawlessly, thus taking advantage of them inI can't think of any movie that has effortlessly explored the human relationships with such insight, profundity, authenticity, and accuracy. Lanthimos simply took some stereotypes and utilized them flawlessly, thus taking advantage of them in a most potent, effective, and cynical way. I don't the movie to be neither misanthropic nor nihilistic, since it displays both the good and the bad in humans. This is one of these movies that makes you wonder why it hasn't been made before.

The Lobster also has one of the most effective uses of voice-over narration in recent years. With a stiff and composed tone lacking emotional weight, the voice-over significantly enriches the film’s narrative, particularly for setting its gloomy and dreary tone that seems as if it came out of a dystopian novel, and it's definitely crucial to carry the film’s development from start to finish.

It's also impressive that both different halves of the movie have worked pretty well; the first half, with its sarcastic and dry sense of humor, and the second half, with its more serious, focused and extremely intelligent less-is-more storytelling. The movie almost scuppered by the major tonal shift between its two halves, and became very tepid, since its humor lost its bite almost completely. But it picked up almost instantly, and became as, if not more, intriguing and riveting as it was in its first hour.

An instant classic, The Lobster is a highly original dystopian black comedy that proves that Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most talented and idiosyncratic filmmakers working today. I can't wait to see more of his films!

(9/10)… Expand
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9
nacristofoliJun 20, 2019
The movie is a little bit weird and confusing, but in a good way. The aesthetic and color palette of the movie is very pretty, and the actors are extremely good too. At first you don't really understand what's going on, but after a while youThe movie is a little bit weird and confusing, but in a good way. The aesthetic and color palette of the movie is very pretty, and the actors are extremely good too. At first you don't really understand what's going on, but after a while you start to understand everything. It's a very nice movie to watch, even if you don't like this "style" of movies, and it gives you a lot of thoughts.… Expand
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9
MahmusAug 22, 2019
A darkly funny movie with something really important to say about relationships and societal pressure.
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a deeply dark, satirical comedy drama, with romantic elements. It covers themes including dystopia, torture and manhunts. I'd say its more of a drama than a comedy but the comedy is very much of a dark nature.

First off, the story sounded so bizarre that it appealed to me almost right away - particularly as it wasn't categorised in the young adult fantasy, genre, although it does have science fiction elements. It made me think somewhat of The Hunger Games but thankfully this film is set in a country that much more resembles the UK as it physically appears, than some far off land like in The Hunger Games et al. I suppose it has elements of George Orwell's 1984 about it - with a big brother of sorts watching over things and the hotel acting as a sort of room 101 of sorts for the inhabitants.

For anyone curious about the films title, it refers to when David is asked about what type of animal he may choose to be, if he had a choice in the matter, if he fails to find a partner and he claims he'd like to come back as a lobster.

I was also interested to see how Colin Farrell did in his role as the main character of David, as I'm more used to seeing him in straight, run of the mill action/thriller style films. He certainly looks quite unremarkable, like a humble regular joe with a somewhat distracting bushy moustache. The film has quite a sinister undertone from early on, with loud instances of stringed instruments giving a Hitchcock-ian feel to some moments - you could be mistaken for jumping at such moments. I felt it also had quite a clinical feel for it, with some characters at the hotel seeming markedly less emotional. I also felt it was relatively stylish, in terms of colour and lighting, as well as the music used. One scene is set during a slow ballroom type dance event, in which we start to learn a little more about some of the other hotel residents. It also features another cast member, Olivia Colman, doing some singing, of a rather classic, almost low-key operatic, style. There are other scenes depicting a range of hotel residents, shown in slow motion, running through the woods, trying to protect themselves from being injured (or worse) by the others, so there is a strong element, or theme, of self preservation there. Suffice to say, it is quite sombre and bleak, haunting even. Its the sort of film which has you wondering when the next plot twist will come to light - the relatively jerky, stringed instrumental music making me feel somewhat edgy throughout. I wouldn't say it came across as a traditional horror film and yet the main story is certainly spooky and its not unfrightening at times, as I say.

Content wise, the film contains implied sex scenes (although none with full frontal nudity, only partial nudity), sex references and strong language, violence, including bloody violence, one instance being the corpse of an animal, which could very well upset animal and pet lovers. In general, characters speak in a quite matter-of-fact way about disturbing events, which is a bit unsettling and could disturb people perhaps. The main plot concept and some of the sub plot details are also likely to be sobering, if not potentially frightening to people and I would say that if your very squeamish, then your probably best giving this a wide berth. The film has been given a 15 rating in the UK.

This film is quite unsettling and fairly memorable, yet absurd to an extent and im not quite sure how to put my finger on exactly how I felt about it. In one sense its good but in another its far too beak and depressing. It is, I believe, meant to be a dark comedy but it doesn't exactly feel like the sort of film you can easily have a giggle at. I do appreciate the satirical side to it, although if anything, nowadays I'd like to think there's less pressure on people to get married, to settle down and have a family etc. by a particular age. It is not an easy watch but it did feel relatively witty and clever, to an extent...its definitely quite unsettling overall though and if it didn't seem that way then I'd probably be concerned for you, quite frankly(!).… Expand
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10
SladeykajeMar 21, 2020
My favourite movie in 2016 for a lot of reasons. First of all, Yorgos Lanthimos has a completely original (at least from my experience) tone. The actors (specifically Farrel, Reilly and Weisz) play off of this tone well. Lanthimos's sense ofMy favourite movie in 2016 for a lot of reasons. First of all, Yorgos Lanthimos has a completely original (at least from my experience) tone. The actors (specifically Farrel, Reilly and Weisz) play off of this tone well. Lanthimos's sense of humour is obviously an acquired taste due to it's obvious darkness and bleak nature, but I felt it worked really well. Didn't expect to love this as much as I did. 9.6… Expand
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8
AsclepiusMar 2, 2020
What a funky little movie. I remember the first time I watched it, it actually took me an inordinate amount of time to figure out what the salient plot point was, why the hotel existed, etc. Is it slow, meandering? Absolutely, but it'sWhat a funky little movie. I remember the first time I watched it, it actually took me an inordinate amount of time to figure out what the salient plot point was, why the hotel existed, etc. Is it slow, meandering? Absolutely, but it's supposed to be. Upon a second viewing, I appreciate it now more than I did when I saw it years ago. It won't be for everyone, but it was certainly for me.… Expand
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7
MaxwooMay 15, 2022
With more substance than content, The Lobster poses a self-imposed inquiry about love while providing Yorgos Lanthimos' unique anti-social response.
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3
HopedealerFeb 2, 2023
How does a movie go from extremely promising and interesting to a complete flop by the end? I’m not exactly sure, but the lobster manages to do just that in spectacular fashion. It’s almost as if the director wanted you to not like thisHow does a movie go from extremely promising and interesting to a complete flop by the end? I’m not exactly sure, but the lobster manages to do just that in spectacular fashion. It’s almost as if the director wanted you to not like this movie. And some avant- grade pseudo intellectuals will jump at the opportunity to waste their time in the most pretentious way. There are some entertaining and humorous bits, but this movie never seems to understand when to pull back or accept that this should have just been a dystopian dark comedy, and not some lame attempt to preach the directors cynical beta male view of the world onto the audience. The basic motive and plot is so philosophically flawed that it seems like a 3rd grader wrote it, yet no one ever seems to catch how funny that is. Not the director or the cast, because later it devolves into awful sermonizing that is self defeating and horribly non entertaining. I kept hoping that maybe their would be some redeeming characteristic of ending to the movie, but alas it crashed and burned entirely as the movie progressed. Not to mention the major plot holes like “how come they can mess up change someone’s defining characteristic? Or why don’t they both just have an interest in something other than themselves? Like the real world.” Eventually the failed attempt at meaningful subtext is underwhelming and frustrating to the point of no return. If I see this director make another movie or this studio I’m almost bound to steer clear after that train wreck and waste of a talented acting cast and an original intriguing dystopian idea. This flopped hard halfway through.… Expand
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7
AJ_13Mar 14, 2021
Original, provoking and memorable. Lanthimos definitely puts his stamp, specially in the first half , but doesn't manage to extend it through the whole film.
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9
doebreiSep 7, 2022
Worth a rewatch, great sober, great high, one of those comfort movies that still leaves you with something to think about. You catch something different each time.
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8
NickTheCritickAug 7, 2022
A film set in a dystopian but possible future, with a very original script and surprising direction. Great performance by the actors too. Really unmissable movie.
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10
DunkaccinoMay 21, 2023
In just two hours, Lanthimos built a complicated world and created its own boundaries and limits. He showed us two perspectives of this world from the same character. He showed us the character suffering, sacrificing, being in love, findingIn just two hours, Lanthimos built a complicated world and created its own boundaries and limits. He showed us two perspectives of this world from the same character. He showed us the character suffering, sacrificing, being in love, finding peace but also sorrow. He built up to an ending that left me on the edge of my seat, with feelings I don’t quite know how to process. This world and this man are far too complicated to express in simple forms. We can see loneliness. We can see companionship. They are easy to comprehend. It is what lies between them that is hard for all of us to make sense of.… Expand
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0
Deryn95May 6, 2023
Akin to watching Catherine Zeta Jones cut her toe nails and try to perfect them repeatedly all the while not cutting them at all
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