Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotionally brutal end-of-the-world drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Melancholia
What's the Story?
After a prologue showing some strange atmospheric phenomena, the first part of MELANCHOLIA introduces viewers to Justine (Kirsten Dunst) on the day of her marriage to kindhearted Michael (Alexander Skarsgard). Over the course of the evening, Justine grows increasingly moody and upset and starts alienating everyone around her. The second part of the movie takes place some time later; Justine's depression has worsened, and she's come to live with her sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg). A rogue planet, Melancholia, is seemingly on a collision course with Earth, though Claire's husband (Kiefer Sutherland) asserts that it will be a near miss. As events turn darker and grimmer, Justine finds herself drawn to Claire's young son, perhaps looking for one final human connection.
Is It Any Good?
As a drama, Melancholia often goes over the top, most notably in its super slow-mo prologue. It also includes little moments of welcome, albeit misplaced, humor. As science fiction, it's obscure and inert; the threatening planet is little more than a vague theory and a convenient plot device. But as a work of art that evokes a strong emotional response, the movie succeeds wildly. It's impossible not to be moved in a profound way by the small events that take place within the larger one.
Controversial Danish director Lars von Trier has long probed the darkest of places, most notably those surrounding women's social and sexual power, but now he takes on nothing less than the end of the world itself. Ironically, in this direst of moments, von Trier's latest heroine also seems to find her greatest moment of triumph: reaching out to another human being in greater need than herself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie addresses the idea of the end of the world. How does the movie evoke terror and dread? How does it compare to other movies' take on the topic?
What makes the main character so depressed? How does she deal with her problem? What are some other ways she could deal with it?
Why does Justine use sex and nudity to deal with her depression?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 11, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2012
- Cast : Charlotte Gainsbourg , Kiefer Sutherland , Kirsten Dunst
- Director : Lars von Trier
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Magnolia Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Dystopia , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Space , STEM ( Nature )
- Run time : 136 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some graphic nudity, sexual content and language
- Last updated : April 30, 2026
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