The defence The Auteur Devotee
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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The Manchurian Candidate
Thriller · Drama · Mystery · 2004
Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw, now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco's doubts deepen, Shaw's political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the memory of what really happened begins to return.
Movie details
The Manchurian Candidate
“Everything is under control.”
2004 Thriller · Drama · Mystery 2h 10m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.5 / 10
Community rating
Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw, now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco's doubts deepen, Shaw's political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the memory of what really happened begins to return.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Manchurian Candidate?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
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Stay
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You Were Never Really Here
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A traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe's nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered—leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Jonathan Demme
Written by
Dean Georgaris · Daniel Pyne
Denzel Washington
Major Bennett Ezekiel Marco
Meryl Streep
Senator Eleanor Prentiss Shaw (D-VA)
Liev Schreiber
Congressman Raymond Prentiss Shaw (D-NY)
Simon McBurney
Dr. Atticus Noyle
Kimberly Elise
Rosie
Bruno Ganz
Delp
Jon Voight
Senator Thomas Jordan (D-CT)
Court is in session
Put The Manchurian Candidate on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.