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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Play trailer Poster for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives 2011 1h 54m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 103 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Afflicted with kidney disease, Uncle Boonmee is preparing himself for death. He has assembled his relatives in the countryside, convinced he will die within a few days. The ghost of his wife appears and offers guidance on his journey into the beyond, while his estranged son materializes in the guise of a jungle creature. Surrounded by his loved ones, Uncle Boonmee reflects on memories of his past lives, and he decides he must visit a special place before he goes.
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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

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Critics Consensus

Languorous and deeply enigmatic, Palme d'Or winner Uncle Boonmee represents an original take on the ghosts that haunt us.

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Critics Reviews

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Chuck Stephens Film Comment Magazine 11/07/2013
Magical, baffling, mirthful, sublime -- it’s everything it’s cracked up to be. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times 06/16/2011
2.5/4
Weerasethakul's sincerity is evident, though the film's meditative pace and vague philosophical undertones will not be for everyone. Go to Full Review Tom Long Detroit News 04/29/2011
B
This is a film that wants to be interesting, and it certainly is that. Whether you want to dine with the ghost and the monkey-man or not, they bring a new perspective to the table. Go to Full Review Dave Giannini InSession Film 02/20/2024
If you have the patience to let Uncle Boonmee unfold and surround you, you will experience something great and truly illuminating and gratifying. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia 02/10/2024
8/10
Weerasethakul confirms that cinema as an art is still alive and, to prove it, he transforms this film into a dazzling and hypnotic experience that is very difficult to forget. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Wael Khairy The Cinephile Fix 10/27/2022
“Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” is a gateway to another world; it exists in the space between life and death, between past and present, between reality and fantasy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben W @Username618 Mar 21 Cannot , years down line, remember a thing. Benign? See more Cecilia T @CBCB2000 Feb 16 interesting, unique and bizarre. Wouldn´t rush to watch it again but its artiness and uniqueness make it worth a watch See more S R @ScottR 05/03/2025 An interesting movie to say the least. I enjoyed the bizarre ghosts, the lost son and his hairy counterparts with dilated red eyes. However, it gets too symbolic and loses me with its long gaps between dialogue and its reflective shots. Then you get into the mystical bestiality that breaks from the story line and it makes it tough to follow. Regardless, it does show some rare aspects of the Thai / Laotian culture and their religious beliefs that make them a unique people. I saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD. See more Diogo T @RT01421508 03/25/2025 If you're open to a film that's probably different from what you've seen before, I recommend it. It's one of the best I've ever seen (four times in total). It's a philosophical and artistic film that won't be to the general public's taste, it's true, but the way the director touches on complex themes, whether intimate or political, and impresses with very strong metaphors is incredible. See more Joan M @RT47606245 10/12/2024 If you are looking for ways to torture those who have sinned against you, make them watch this movie without reacting or falling asleep. From start to finish, it left me with nothing but boredom and frustration. Not really sure how it won an award. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 10/16/2023 A good ending can't rescue us from the unbearable boredom of the preceding hour and forty minutes. Can't understand who on earth watches this and gives it five stars. The acclaim from critics is inexplicable to me. Had it on DVD for a long time and finally picked it up to watch. Wish I hadn't. Usually Palme D'Or winners are either great or awful and this one sits in the latter camp. Trust the audience reviews on RT over the critics on this one. See more Read all reviews
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

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Cast & Crew

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Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Director

Sakda Kaewbuadee

Tong

Jenjira Pongpas

Jen

Thanapat Saisaymar

Boonmee

Natthakarn Aphaiwonk

Huay

Geerasak Kulhong

Boonsong

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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Afflicted with kidney disease, Uncle Boonmee is preparing himself for death. He has assembled his relatives in the countryside, convinced he will die within a few days. The ghost of his wife appears and offers guidance on his journey into the beyond, while his estranged son materializes in the guise of a jungle creature. Surrounded by his loved ones, Uncle Boonmee reflects on memories of his past lives, and he decides he must visit a special place before he goes.
Director
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Producer
Simon Field, Keith Griffiths, Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Screenwriter
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
Thai
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$183.6K
Runtime
1h 54m