Persona

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Persona

Released Mar 6, 1967

1h 21m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

93%

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25,000+ Ratings

Famed stage actress Elisabeth Vogler (Liv Ullmann) suffers a moment of blankness during a performance and the next day lapses into total silence. Advised by her doctor to take time off to recover from what appears to be an emotional breakdown, Elisabeth goes to a beach house on the Baltic Sea with only Anna (Bibi Andersson), a nurse, as company. Over the next several weeks, as Anna struggles to reach her mute patient, the two women find themselves experiencing a strange emotional convergence.

Critics Consensus

Arguably Bergman's finest film, Persona explores the human condition with intense curiosity, immense technical skill, and beguiling warmth.

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Susan Sontag

Sight & Sound

A succession of ever more difficult and rewarding films has turned up in recent years. But that good fortune releases nobody who cares about films from acclaiming work as original and triumphant as Persona.

May 3, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

... A nifty, stylish and unforgettable hour and a half.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 14, 2023

Full Review

David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Hardcore surrealism is rarely this enjoyable.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 2, 2018

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

A quintessential example of avant-garde cinema. Bergman's influential film holds so much more than one initially thinks. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

The quintessential, mid-century art film...

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 1, 2023

Full Review

Barbara Grier

The Ladder

The movie is weird, as are all of [Bergman's], but it is worth seeing -- even twice.

Jun 30, 2021

Full Review

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Luca D

Just as unsettling as the rest of his movies. Very isolating and introspective. The acting is phenomenal. It doesn't make sense how he managed to find so many amazing actors and actresses that fit these roles perfectly. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in psych thrillers.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Colin R

Very smart, Very in-depth film. As an actor, this film felt very real to me and I was here for it. I understand Elisabeth, as well as Alma. Very beautiful film, an absolute must-see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

Full Review

Mason M

With an opening that almost feels like a visual poem, and a plot that makes less and less sense but more entertaining, Persona is a beautiful film. I was horrified while watching it, due to the extreme jump scare halfway through, which kept me on the edge of my seat for the rest of the film. It's a beautifully crafted analysis of guilt, and trying to forget about those things that make you feel guilty. Persona is a film that will be talked about for many more years.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Pierre G

An outstanding, minimalist film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

Sam F

The alpha and the omega, the single movie I would take with me if I could only save one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

John A

Bergman certainly does a visual and textured number on the viewer in multiple facets. Although puzzling it is compelling and even somewhat haunting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

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Ingmar Bergman

Director

Bibi Andersson

Alma, The Nurse

Liv Ullmann

Elisabeth Vogler, The Actress

Gunnar Björnstrand

Mr. Vogler

Margareta Krook

The Doctor

Jörgen Lindström

The Boy, Elisabeth's Son (uncredited)

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Synopsis

Famed stage actress Elisabeth Vogler (Liv Ullmann) suffers a moment of blankness during a performance and the next day lapses into total silence. Advised by her doctor to take time off to recover from what appears to be an emotional breakdown, Elisabeth goes to a beach house on the Baltic Sea with only Anna (Bibi Andersson), a nurse, as company. Over the next several weeks, as Anna struggles to reach her mute patient, the two women find themselves experiencing a strange emotional convergence.

Director: Ingmar Bergman
Producer: Ingmar Bergman
Screenwriter: Ingmar Bergman
Distributor: Video Yesteryear, United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Reel Media International [us], Lopert Pictures Corp.
Production Co: Svensk Filmindustri
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Swedish
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 1967, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 21m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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