The Square
The Square

Movie spotlight

The Square

2017
Movie
151 min
Swedish

A prestigious Stockholm museum's chief art curator finds himself in times of both professional and personal crisis as he attempts to set up a controversial new exhibit.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes76%
Metacritic67
Google Users71%
Director: Ruben ÖstlundGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

A respected curator of a contemporary art museum finds his life unraveling after a brazen public theft and his subsequent attempt to use a controversial PR campaign for an upcoming exhibition. As he navigates the complex world of modern art and its patrons, his own moral compass is tested, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and thought-provoking situations.

Critical Reception

The Square received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its sharp satire, Östlund's directorial vision, and its exploration of contemporary societal issues. While some found its length and provocative nature challenging, the majority praised its ambition and execution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious and satirical look at the art world and contemporary society.

  • Applauded for Ruben Östlund's bold directorial style and challenging themes.

  • Noted for its often uncomfortable yet thought-provoking exploration of privilege and morality.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's satirical edge and thought-provoking commentary on the art world and social dynamics. Some viewers found the film's length and its more provocative scenes to be challenging or even off-putting, but the majority engaged with its intellectual and artistic merits.

Awards & Accolades

Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival; Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Fun Fact

The film's central art installation, 'The Square,' a sanctuary of altruism and honesty, was a real installation created by Östlund and his team, and it was erected in various locations for the film's production.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I maybe just wasn't in the right mood for this, but after about half an hour I really didn't much care what happened to "Christian" (Claes Bang), or pretty much anyone else. He runs one of those galleries that puts a glass of water on a dus...

j0ng

j0ng

I'm not a great fan of dramas, but this was an entertaining film. I gave this 4 stars just for the ape scene.