The Square

Name: The Square
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: October 27, 2017
Duration: 142 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Christopher Læssø, Claes Bang, Daniel Hallberg, Dominic West, Elijandro Edouard

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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The Square (US Trailer)

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: October 27, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Christopher Læssø, Claes Bang, Daniel Hallberg, Dominic West, Elijandro Edouard, Elisabeth Moss, Linda Anborg, Marina Schiptjenko, Martin Sööder, Sofie Hamilton, Terry Notary

Summary: Christian is the respected curator of a contemporary art museum, a divorced but devoted father of two who drives an electric car and supports good causes. His next show is The Square, an installation which invites passersby to altruism, reminding them of their role as responsible fellow human beings. But sometimes, it is difficult to liveChristian is the respected curator of a contemporary art museum, a divorced but devoted father of two who drives an electric car and supports good causes. His next show is The Square, an installation which invites passersby to altruism, reminding them of their role as responsible fellow human beings. But sometimes, it is difficult to live up to your own ideals: Christian’s foolish response to the theft of his phone drags him into shameful situations. Meanwhile, the museum's PR agency has created an unexpected campaign for The Square. The response is overblown and sends Christian, as well as the museum, into an existential crisis.… Expand

Director: Ruben Östlund

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 142 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Blake Goble

Oct 26, 2017

Navigating the nexus of hype, commerce, ego, and bullshit that drives the modern art scene, The Square is almost too perfect in its cunning simplicity. The art world’s always been easy to drag, what with its interiority, weirdos, and frustrating games of pin-the-tail-on-the-thesis. But rarely are these ideas lampooned so beautifully. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Oct 26, 2017

The Square is too long at 150 minutes and occasionally falls into the sort of preciosity it loves to deride. But the film is full of delicious riffs. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Dec 4, 2017

The humanity behind The Square‘s jabs save it from seeming nihilistic but they also implicate everyone watching. The film seems less nasty for having such a well-developed protagonist, but also that much more squirm-inducing for anyone who recognizes a bit too much of themselves in Christian’s unexamined attitudes. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Nov 8, 2017

As overindulgent as it is, The Square is a darkly humorous and horrific mirror to our culture. Read full review

Inkoo Kang

Oct 26, 2017

The Square lands its bullseyes, over and over, with a faultless precision that grows duller with each strike. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 3, 2017

The latest from writer/director Ruben Ostlund, who created the masterly and more coherent “Force Majeure,” it plays like a performance art piece that outstays its welcome. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Oct 27, 2017

This is not a terribly plot-driven movie; indeed, at two hours and twenty minutes it’s rather a ramble. Read full review

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User Reviews

BurnerBoy

Jan 7, 2018

It manages to at once skewer the art world while simultaneously wholly embracing it. I saw this Palme d'Or winner in a small art house theater, and at times the entire crowd was raucously laughing...at other times (the unforgettable ape/ man performance piece) frozen in rapt heart poundingIt manages to at once skewer the art world while simultaneously wholly embracing it. I saw this Palme d'Or winner in a small art house theater, and at times the entire crowd was raucously laughing...at other times (the unforgettable ape/ man performance piece) frozen in rapt heart pounding attention. Hilarious, harsh, unflinching...must see movie of 2017.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

alejandro970

Jun 17, 2023

The less solemn -and friendly- side of museums, in a story that does not touch the heart to make social criticism based on caustic humor. The treatment may not be to everyone's taste, but it was not recognized for nothing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rroy

Jan 5, 2018

This movie’s worth seeing for many reasons, but I’d say the performance of a « Russian » artist during a large benefit dinner is what makes it unforgettable.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

JLuis_001

Jan 28, 2018

Was this supposed to be a metaphor of some sort?
I'm utterly shocked because it won the Palm D'or

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Brent_Marchant

Nov 19, 2017

A film with a lot to say that, regrettably, doesn't always say it as well as it could. However, when it successfully achieves its moments of lucidity, the director absolutely knocks it out of the park with inventive, riveting humor and incisive social insights. Perhaps the biggest issue hereA film with a lot to say that, regrettably, doesn't always say it as well as it could. However, when it successfully achieves its moments of lucidity, the director absolutely knocks it out of the park with inventive, riveting humor and incisive social insights. Perhaps the biggest issue here is the editing, with a number of segments that go on entirely too long, but, if you're able to sift through the flotsam to find the kernels of wisdom, you'll be richly rewarded with an unusual and memorable movie experience.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

AndrewBurge

Apr 2, 2018

The world of Ruben Östlund's The Square is a lawless one. No, I don't mean Mad Max type lawless, not even close. It is rather tame, yet there seems to literally be no presence of order and law enforcement in it. The scene in which Christian, the curator of the X-Art Museum of Modern Arts,The world of Ruben Östlund's The Square is a lawless one. No, I don't mean Mad Max type lawless, not even close. It is rather tame, yet there seems to literally be no presence of order and law enforcement in it. The scene in which Christian, the curator of the X-Art Museum of Modern Arts, has his goods stolen from him is treated with laughter and amazement at the skills of the perpetrators, rather than anger and a swoop to the police. In fact, the Police is not even mentioned. Rather, he prefers to take matters into his own hands distributing threatening letters to an apartment block where he believes the thief lives. And... it works. It is clear that Ruben Östlund is aware of the illogical actions and the near surreal world he creates.

Yet despite the visual expression of social isolation, 'The Square's style of enclosing itself from the real world into one in which it loosely parodies the life of the modern man creates confusion through its subtle approach. It does not have true surreal moments, yet it expects us to treat it metaphorically. Sure, it succeeds in representing the way the modern and cultured man is so self-controller that it can easily be taken as a fool, but there is an unnatural unease to every action.

There is, of course, one brilliant scene of performance art from Terry Notary's Oleg Rogozin, who, while performing as an ape during a luxurious dinner, loses his mind, for some ubiquitous reason, and so the guests themselves have to physically put him to the ground. This latter part of the scene is a bit unnecessary and rather bizarre.

Still, 'The Square' has monumental ambitions and through is intentional or unintentional absurdity takes its claim into revolutionizing the way movies are thought, even though, it kinda fails...… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Broyax

May 19, 2020

Avertissement... non, avertissements (au pluriel) : premièrement, c'est un film suédois (il faut donc se montrer circonspect, avaler quelques litres de café -pour ne pas s'endormir au bout de 10 mn- prendre plusieurs Prozac -pour ne pas s'énerver au bout de 15 mn (parenthèse dans laAvertissement... non, avertissements (au pluriel) : premièrement, c'est un film suédois (il faut donc se montrer circonspect, avaler quelques litres de café -pour ne pas s'endormir au bout de 10 mn- prendre plusieurs Prozac -pour ne pas s'énerver au bout de 15 mn (parenthèse dans la parenthèse : si on a tenu jusque là, bien entendu).

Secondement -et là on retient sa respiration, on fait du yoga pour contrôler ses réactions en toute circonstance- secondement donc... c'est une putain de saloperie de chiasse de merdasse du festival de l'asile de Cannes et de tous ses peigne-culs intello-bobos annuels de mes deux ! palme d'or de mon cul, tiens que je te la chie et te l'emballe dans un papier-cadeau... oui, c'est pour offrir !

Et donc troisièmement, on va pas épiloguer outre-mesure sur de la branlette avariée de Cannes, car c'est comme l'art très con-temporain, ça ne sert à rien ! on fera juste remarquer que ce vide rempli de remplissage psychoteur à peigne-culs dure seulement... deux plombes et demi ! et là tout est dit. On tire la chasse.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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