Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

R

2015

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

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360 Reviews

78%

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50,000+ Ratings

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

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Critics Consensus

A thrilling leap forward for director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is an ambitious technical showcase powered by a layered story and outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Edward Norton.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 1, 2017

B+

It's not perfect (it can be exhausting at times, actually), but it says a lot about people, narcissism and the co-dependent relationship between actor and celebrity.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Jun 18, 2016

A thunderbolt reminder of the kind of quick-thinking, quick-talking, quick-witted characters that Keaton used to specialize in, and Iñárritu finds the right style to showcase his gifts.

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Nick Schager

Esquire Magazine

Feb 22, 2016

Even when Keaton is transforming his character's stock issues into ones that feel unique and genuine, he's undercut by his director's flashiness, right up to an on-the-nose finale.

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

Jun 17, 2024

What Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu was able to achieve in this film is still astounding to me.

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Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

Apr 15, 2024

...a film that is just as much about the film industry itself, as it is about the pursuit of happiness, and our ridiculously desperate need to be admired, recognized, and respected by people that shouldn’t really matter to us.

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Angelos Koutsourakis

PopMatters

Feb 21, 2024

If the theater frame story in Birdman plays a self-reflexive role, this is nothing but a manifestation of Hollywood's need to return back to its narrative roots.

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Robert P

@Superbad 1 day ago

Birdman = a 4.0 star Movie!

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Ben B

@suikofreak412 Aug 18, 2026

I've watched this multiple times

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Madam D

@Madam1948 Aug 18, 2026

One of my favorite offbeat films. Keaton always entertains me, with his mountain of acting skills. Other characters held up their end by a combination of genres.

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Carlos P

@RT13589556 Jul 25, 2026

Its an absolute masterpiece. A must see. Sometimes funny, sometimes dark, sometimes weird, but deeply enjoyable. Without spoiling it for you, the film will leave a mark in you, the continuous shots are impressive, the acting is solid, the story is strange and surreal wrapped around a "this could really happen to an actor" story. A+

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Chris S

@Janomi Jun 27, 2026

Birdman is one of the most original films I've seen. Alejandro G. Iñárritu and his collaborators craft a screenplay that effortlessly blends satire, psychological drama, comedy, and fantasy while exploring fame, ego, artistic ambition, and the search for relevance. It's surprisingly funny, but there's also real emotional weight beneath the humor. Michael Keaton delivers one of the best performances of his career, and his history as a former superhero actor gives Riggan Thomson's struggles an authenticity that's impossible to ignore. Emmanuel Lubezki's stunning cinematography, designed to appear as one continuous shot, pulls you directly into Riggan's increasingly chaotic world. Edward Norton is also outstanding, stealing several scenes as the brilliant but unpredictable Mike Shiner. The unconventional storytelling won't connect with everyone, but its ambition and execution make Birdman an unforgettable experience.

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Tristan B

@tristan3 Jun 17, 2026

[BOT] An absolute classic.

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Synopsis

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Producer: Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole
Screenwriter: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, M Prods, Le Grisbi
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.3M
Runtime: 1h 59m

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