A Lingering Face

A renowned opera singer, suffering from a mysterious and debilitating facial condition, retreats to a secluded island to escape the public eye and a past trauma. As her isolation deepens, the line between reality and hallucination blurs, and she begins to question the nature of her affliction and the people around her. The film delves into themes of identity, memory, and the psychological toll of artistic ambition and personal loss.

Upon its release, 'A Lingering Face' received a polarizing critical reception, with some hailing it as a masterclass in psychological horror and artistic exploration, while others found its bleakness and ambiguity alienating. The performances, particularly Kidman's, were widely praised for their intensity and vulnerability. The film's challenging themes and Von Trier's signature uncompromising style sparked considerable debate.

• Praised for its disturbing atmosphere and visceral portrayal of psychological decay.
• Nicole Kidman's performance is a tour-de-force of raw emotion.
• Critics were divided on its narrative coherence and unrelenting darkness.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's artistic ambition and Kidman's compelling performance, though many found the intense psychological themes and ambiguous narrative difficult to engage with.

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Nicole Kidman received critical acclaim and several nominations for her performance.

The distinctive facial prosthetics used on Nicole Kidman were designed to visually represent her character's deteriorating mental state, evolving in complexity as the film progresses.