Melancholia (2011)

7.1R130 minDirector: Lars von Trier

2011 film by Lars von Trier

Melancholia is a 2011 science fiction drama film written and directed by Lars von Trier and starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Kiefer Sutherland, with Alexander Skarsgård, Brady Corbet, Cameron Spurr, Charlotte Rampling, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, and Udo Kier in supporting roles. The film's story revolves around two sisters, one of whom marries just before a rogue planet is about to collide with Earth. Melancholia is the second film in von Trier's unofficially titled Depression Trilogy. It was preceded in 2009 by Antichrist and followed by Nymphomaniac in 2013.

On 18 May 2011, Melancholia premiered at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and Dunst won the festival's Best Actress Award for her performance, which was a common area of praise among critics. Many critics and film scholars have considered the film to be a masterpiece. Along with von Trier's previous film Dogville (2003), it was included in the 2016 poll of the greatest films since 2000 conducted by BBC and has since been featured in various listings of the best films of the 21st century.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Melancholia about?
Melancholia (2011) — On the night of her wedding, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) is struggling to be happy even though it should be the happiest day of her life. It was an extravagant wedding paid for by her sister and brother-in-law who are trying to keep the bride and all the guests in line. Meanwhile, Me
Is Melancholia based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Melancholia scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is Melancholia (2011) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex