The Dancer Upstairs

2002, Drama, 2h 13m

114 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

The Dancer Upstairs benefits from a talented cast and alluring intelligence, although pacing problems prevent this John Malkovich-directed mystery from reaching its full potential. Read critic reviews

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The Dancer Upstairs Photos

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Movie Info

Lawyer turned police detective Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) is on the case of a domestic terrorist cell whose tactics range from the mischievous to the homicidal, led by self-proclaimed President Ezequiel (Abel Folk). Distracting Rejas from his investigation is his daughter's dance instructor, Yolanda (Laura Morante), with whom Rejas begins an unexpected romance. As Rejas grows closer to both Yolanda and the terrorists, he begins to suspect that there might be a connection between the two.

Cast & Crew

Javier Bardem
Agustin Rejas
Juan Diego Botto
Sucre
Laura Morante
Yolanda
Elvira Mínguez
Liosa
Alexandra Lencastre
Sylvina
Oliver Cotton
Merino
Abel Folk
Ezequiel
Marie-Anne Berganza
Laura
John Malkovich
Director
Nicholas Shakespeare
Writer
Nicholas Shakespeare
Writer
John Malkovich
Producer
Andrés Vicente Gómez
Producer
Russell Smith
Executive Producer
Lianne Halfon
Executive Producer
José Luis Alcaine
Cinematographer
Alberto Iglesias
Original Music
Mario Battistel
Film Editing
Yousaf Bokhari
Line Producer
Pierre-François Limbosch
Production Design
Antonio Bloch
Production Sound Editor
Bina Daigeler
Costume Design
Ana Lozano
Makeup
Katrina Bayonas
Casting
Camilla-Valentine Isola
Casting
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News & Interviews for The Dancer Upstairs

Critics Consensus: Spy is Certified Fresh
Now Streaming: McFarland USA, Run All Night, and More
Trailer Bulletin: Damon, Jolie & De Niro in "The Good Shepherd"
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Critic Reviews for The Dancer Upstairs

All Critics (114) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (73) | Rotten (41)
Full Review… Brandon Judell indieWire Full Review… Philip Kerr New Statesman Full Review… Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Full Review… Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Full Review… Rene Rodriguez Miami Herald Full Review… Tom Long Detroit News Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Scott Nash Three Movie Buffs Full Review… Tony Medley tonymedley.com Full Review… Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Full Review… Matt Kelemen Las Vegas CityLife Full Review… Brian Gibson Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)
View All Critic Reviews (114)

Audience Reviews for The Dancer Upstairs

  • Jun 18, 2017
    okay but pacing was a bit slow
    Ed K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 17, 2007
    A hugely promising directorial debut by John Malkovich, this is a stunning political thriller. Javier Bardem is perfect as an ambitious police captain, saddled with a materialistic wife, who finds himself falling for his daughter's dancing teacher while hunting for a revolutionary leader in an unnamed Latin American state. Intelligent, disturbing, suspenseful, romantic and, finally, moving, the film is perfectly paced and very well photographed. Strongly recommended.
    Stephen M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 26, 2007
    A very solid directorial effort from Malkovich, with flaws and everything. Bardem is spot on in the main role.
    Tsubaki S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2007
    A lot of disturbing animal cruelty scenes in this movie. Other than the violence, I thought it was boring and couldn't get into it. I turned it off half way through.
    Ida K Super Reviewer
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