The Kiss

Play trailer

1:44

The Kiss

2025

1h 40m

Drama

Romance

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Based on Stefan Zweig's German classic Beware of Pity, The Kiss is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1913 Denmark at the start of World War I, following the journey of Anton Abildgaard, a noble cavalry officer, hoping to complete his military training with distinction. After helping the local Baron Løvenskjold out of a tough situation one day with his automobile, he is invited to join him and his family for dinner at their castle, where he meets the Baron's beautiful wheelchair bound daughter, Edith. The two begin spending more and more time together as Edith slowly falls in love and Anton struggles with being able to discern if his feelings for her are genuine or merely out of pity, all while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

May 16, 2025

3.5/4

Director and co-screenwriter Bille August brings us into the world of the early 20th century, with evocative images of the soldiers on horseback and the grandeur of the castle. But he keeps the focus on the characters, their conflicts, and their emotions.

Go to Full Review

Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

May 15, 2025

What might have come across as a soap opera in lesser hands instead feels appropriately weighty. As he steers events toward a devastating climax, Mr. August proves he’s still an able steward of refined human drama.

Go to Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

May 15, 2025

Despite the best efforts of the cast and technical crew here, “The Kiss” winds up in the land of “meh.”

Go to Full Review

Jaylan Salah

MovieJawn

Jul 3, 2026

The Kiss is a subtle period piece that tells a story beyond costume accuracy.

Go to Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

May 28, 2025

7/10

A touching and tender love story that will capture your heart.

Go to Full Review

Don Shanahan

Film Obsessive

May 20, 2025

3/5

We watch the character’s mistakes—things we likely would shake sense into his shoulders to realize—and withhold finding Anton fully at fault until we, the viewer, reach our soft-hearted threshold of when empathy should have subdued pity.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

tammy k

May 18, 2025

Acting was good, story wasnt a remake, it was authentic

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Bille August

Director

Esben Smed

Anton

Clara Rosager

Edith

Lars Mikkelsen

Løvenskjold

David Dencik

Doktor Faber

Rosalinde Mynster

Anna

Past Lives

95%

93%

Past Lives

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Past Lives

Touch

93%

92%

Touch

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Touch

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

99%

83%

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Hi Nanna

100%

96%

Hi Nanna

Watchlist

Scarlet

79%

97%

Scarlet

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Scarlet

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Kiss: Trailer 1

1:44

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Based on Stefan Zweig's German classic Beware of Pity, The Kiss is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1913 Denmark at the start of World War I, following the journey of Anton Abildgaard, a noble cavalry officer, hoping to complete his military training with distinction. After helping the local Baron Løvenskjold out of a tough situation one day with his automobile, he is invited to join him and his family for dinner at their castle, where he meets the Baron's beautiful wheelchair bound daughter, Edith. The two begin spending more and more time together as Edith slowly falls in love and Anton struggles with being able to discern if his feelings for her are genuine or merely out of pity, all while the ominous threat of the first World War looms over them.

Director: Bille August
Producer: Thomas Heinesen
Screenwriter: Bille August
Distributor: World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation / Juno Films
Production Co: Nordisk Film Production
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: Danish
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 40m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings