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eXistenZ

Play trailer Poster for eXistenZ R 1999 1h 37m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 75 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Video game designer Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has created a virtual reality game called eXistenZ. After a crazed fan attempts to kill her, Allegra goes on the run with Ted (Jude Law), a young businessman who falls into the role of bodyguard. In an attempt to save her game, Allegra implants into Ted's body the video game pod that carries a damaged copy of eXistenZ. Allegra and Ted engage in a series of experiences that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
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eXistenZ

eXistenZ

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Critics Consensus

Gooey, slimy, grotesque fun.

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Critics Reviews

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Danny Leigh Financial Times Mar 26, 2020
4/5
What we have here is a witty sci-fi teaser built around the coming wave of deep immersion gaming. Go to Full Review J. Hoberman The New York Review of Books Mar 8, 2019
It's striking that eXistenZ, a send-up of computer games that parodied The Matrix avant la lettre, and one of the great underappreciated movies of the late 1990s, yields the richest trove of relics. Go to Full Review Anton Bitel Little White Lies May 21, 2018
eXistenZ - both Allegra's latest beta release and David Cronenberg's dizzying B-movie - makes the different textures of game, film and life increasingly difficult to tease apart. Go to Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Apr 29, 2024
4/5
This pseudo-sequel to 'Videodrome' is arguably better than its predecessor. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Apr 24, 2024
4/5
Cronenberg's meditation on gaming and simulation has a tinge of Y2K hysteria, but its philosophical questioning of the impact on our humanity is very welcome and low-fi compared to other films of the time. Also: Jennifer Jason Leigh devours this role. Go to Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies Feb 3, 2024
4/4
Bizarrely prescient and dripping in paranoia, this is Cronenberg’s last great effort into speculative fiction. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 9, 2026 eXistenZ = a 3.5 star Movie See more Leonardo L @RT58170675 Aug 20, 2026 The movie is weird, but very interesting with excelente acting. See more Tomek D @SzybkiSeans Jul 18, 2026 ★★★★½ Przez lata eXistenZ żył w cieniu Matrixa. Niesłusznie. O ile Matrix zadaje pytanie: „Który świat jest prawdziwy?", Cronenberg idzie o krok dalej i pyta: „Czy ta różnica w ogóle ma jeszcze znaczenie?" To jeden z najbardziej „dickowskich" filmów, jakie powstały, mimo że nie jest adaptacją Philipa K. Dicka. Organiczne konsole, bioporty, broń z kości i charakterystyczny body horror nie są tu tylko dziwactwem dla efektu – tworzą świat, w którym granica między rzeczywistością a iluzją rozpływa się z każdą kolejną sceną. Po ponad 25 latach film wydaje się nawet bardziej aktualny niż w dniu premiery. W epoce algorytmów, mediów społecznościowych i sztucznej inteligencji jego pytania wybrzmiewają mocniej niż kiedykolwiek. To nie jest film, który kończy się wraz z napisami. On dopiero wtedy zaczyna pracować w głowie widza. See more Scott M @RT75128960 Dec 30, 2025 Strange f#$king film. But that's Cronenberg. First time watching it I did find it oddly entertaining. His commentary on the DVD explained a lot. See more Thomas W @Enigma0999 Dec 6, 2025 Absolute shocking nonsense. See more Kyle C @kylekc May 20, 2025 Yep, that’s Cronenberg, alright. The weird organic technology and slimy body horror is the best thing about this movie. The plot is less than stellar but gives us a decent reason to pay attention. Everything is all a little bit too convenient, wrapped up a little too nicely, and a bit too expositional. I found the ending kinda cheap. That all said, this one is worth watching for fans of excellent practical effects and some sickly, grimy stuff. See more Read all reviews
eXistenZ

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Cast & Crew

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David Cronenberg

Director

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Allegra Geller

Jude Law

Ted Pikul

Willem Dafoe

Gas

Ian Holm

Kiri Vinokur

Don McKellar

Yevgeny Nourish

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eXistenZ

eXistenZ (1999) eXistenZ (1999) eXistenZ (1999) A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. A scene from David Cronenberg's Existenz. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Video game designer Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) has created a virtual reality game called eXistenZ. After a crazed fan attempts to kill her, Allegra goes on the run with Ted (Jude Law), a young businessman who falls into the role of bodyguard. In an attempt to save her game, Allegra implants into Ted's body the video game pod that carries a damaged copy of eXistenZ. Allegra and Ted engage in a series of experiences that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
Director
David Cronenberg
Producer
David Cronenberg, Andras Hamori, Robert Lantos
Screenwriter
David Cronenberg
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax, Alliance Atlantis Communications, Natural Nylon Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 23, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.8M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
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