Coriolanus

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Coriolanus

R

2012

2h 2m

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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153 Reviews

58%

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10,000+ Ratings

Caius Martius, aka Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), is an arrogant and fearsome general who has built a career on protecting Rome from its enemies. Pushed by his ambitious mother (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the position of consul, Coriolanus is at odds with the masses and unpopular with certain colleagues (James Nesbitt, Paul Jesson). When a riot results in his expulsion from Rome, Coriolanus seeks out his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler). Together, the pair vow to destroy the great city.

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Critics Consensus

Visceral and visually striking, Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus proves Shakespeare can still be both electrifying and relevant in a modern context.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Mar 27, 2019

2.5/5

Coriolanus is a determinedly grim but smart, resonant film, faithful to the tone of the original, done with some skill and conviction.

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Monika Bartyzel

The Atlantic

Apr 10, 2018

It's genre writing that entertains while tapping into enduring truths.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Jan 8, 2013

3/4

The other actors do their best to help Fiennes define this curious anti-hero. Incapable of playing the role of peacetime compromiser, his Coriolanus comes across as a warrior who simply can't function without a war.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4.5/5

A unique and daring movie.

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Scott Nye

Battleship Pretension

Mar 16, 2021

For those who take elemental pleasure from hearing Shakespeare's beautiful verse delivered this well, your evening will be well spent, and as a piece of drama, Coriolanus still packs a punch.

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Matthew Rozsa

matthewrozsa.com

Dec 19, 2020

3/4

This is a manifesto not for fascism, but for hating human beings in general.

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Robert P

@Superbad 16 hrs ago

Coriolanus is a *3* star Movie!!!

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Red in D

@redindenver Jul 30, 2026

I found it very confusing ... Shakespearean yet with seemingly a lot of modern touches ... like cameras with flashbulbs, tanks, modern weaponry, etc. In addition to confusing, I just found it unenjoyable (is that a word??) And they were speaking English, but not very understandable English with "thee" and "thou" -- I suppose although they used modern weaponry and other modern stuff; they drew the line at using anything but Shakespearean language. Anyway, it was not for me. I didn't finish watching it.

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JM H

@JMH9999 Nov 24, 2025

Couldn’t get past the very graphic scene showing Butler blowing a detainee’s brains out. Vomit. I just can’t take this crap anymore. Did they really have to do that?

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Chris H

@RT60525826 Sep 24, 2025

Make no mistake, this is Shakespeare, with all that that entails. The wordplay is brilliant but you do have to concentrate. A great cast and good visuals make it easier to digest.

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S S.

@SShol Aug 21, 2025

Absolutely outstanding. The Shakespearean dialogue during the initial war scene is jarring, but it works perfectly and naturally during the rest of the movie’s drama. Fantastic film and such a great way to show the relevance and modernity of a story 2500 years old and written 400 years ago. The dialogue is haunting and powerful. Would absolutely recommend this!

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Laura D

@RT29933225 Jun 25, 2025

I would say it is a masterpiece. I wasn't expecting Shakespeare dialogue. I was taken aback then delighted. Butler absolutely terrified me with one of his warrior speeches. They say war is hell, which I've understood in terms of carnage, injury and death; even seeing one's friends perish. But Butler then personified the statement war is hell in his terrifying rage and desire for vengeance in his speech. No one should ever provoke war after experiencing that terror. They brought out Shakespeare in a groundbreaking modern venue and showed Shakespeare to be a timeless genius. The acting, directing, producing along with authorship made it a masterpiece.

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Ralph Fiennes

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Caius Martius "Coriolanus"

Gerard Butler

Tullus Aufidius

Brian Cox

Menenius

Vanessa Redgrave

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Jessica Chastain

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Synopsis

Caius Martius, aka Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), is an arrogant and fearsome general who has built a career on protecting Rome from its enemies. Pushed by his ambitious mother (Vanessa Redgrave) to seek the position of consul, Coriolanus is at odds with the masses and unpopular with certain colleagues (James Nesbitt, Paul Jesson). When a riot results in his expulsion from Rome, Coriolanus seeks out his sworn enemy, Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler). Together, the pair vow to destroy the great city.

Director: Ralph Fiennes
Producer: Ralph Fiennes, John Logan, Gabrielle Tana, Julia Taylor-Stanley, Colin Vaines
Screenwriter: John Logan
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Lonely Dragon
Rating: R (Some Bloody Violence)
Genre: Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 30, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $756.5K
Runtime: 2h 2m

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