The Dreamers | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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60%

Tomatometer

163 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In May 1968, the student riots in Paris only exacerbate the isolation felt by three youths: an American exchange student named Matthew (Michael Pitt) and twins Théo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green). Having bonded over their mutual love of cinema, Matthew is fascinated by the sense of intimacy shared by Isabelle and Theo, who were born conjoined. When the twins' bohemian parents go away for a month, they ask Matthew to stay at their place, and the three lose themselves in fantasy.

The Dreamers

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though lushly atmospheric, The Dreamers doesn't engage or provoke as much as it should.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Yes, there’s lots of sex and full-frontal nudity, but this is really a film about the intoxicating allure of cinema and its desensitising power, written by the last genuinely great philosopher film critic, Gilbert Adair.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 26, 2024

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The pleasures of "The Dreamers" stay mostly on the surface. But when the surface is as stylish and sexy as this, it's hard to complain.

Mar 13, 2018

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Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

Fans of film and gorgeous naked people of either sex will find much here to interest them. But it also has moments that make you want to throw stones.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Brendan Lemon

Out Magazine

If The Dreamers lacks the quality of Bertolucci's masterpieces, it still exhibits a ripeness that has been missing from his recent work.

May 27, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Bertolucci's overarching message - and the purpose of the story - is almost entirely lost to the youthful, callow, anarchic, pervasive sex and nudity.

Rated: 3/10

Sep 29, 2020

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Although the story falls apart in places and has some twists that are inserted only as a means to an end, [Bernardo] Bertolucci still has the ability to draw you in and use sexuality as a form of art.

Nov 7, 2019

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Audience Reviews

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Steve D Entertaining for Green. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Priyan B Eroticism at its peak. 7/10 Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Junji Ito's G French people have a weird thing for i n c e s t Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Shioka O I find this film is extremely French aesthetically, and mostly spoken in English which is helpful. This released in 2003 film's look of feel in the late 60s is almost perfect for me who don't know the real time. Performance is good too. Maybe there are too many naked scenes and Hendrix score, and the ending lessened in my opinion. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/30/22 Full Review dave s When Matthew (Michael Pitt) arrives in France from America to study, he is befriended by siblings Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel), the threesome drawn together through a love of cinema and the desire for social change, all set during the French riots of 1968. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, The Dreamers is beautiful to look at, each scene bathed in subdued tones, and equally great to listen to with a soundtrack that includes Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan, appropriate to the time. What is bothersome is the relationship between the brother and sister, a seemingly incestuous affair that is never really adequately explained or tied in in any way with the social change swirling in the air. From that angle, it's all a bit baffling. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member An absolute french classic !! From beginning to end, the movie will give an everlasting impression Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Dreamers

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Cast & Crew

Bernardo Bertolucci Director Michael Pitt Matthew Eva Green Isabelle Louis Garrel Theo Robin Renucci Father Anna Chancellor Mother

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The Dreamers

A scene from the film THE DREAMERS.

L to R: Eva Green, Director Bernardo Bertolucci, & Louis Garrel on the set of THE DREAMERS.

L to R: Michael Pitt & Eva Green in THE DREAMERS.

A scene from the film THE DREAMERS.

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Synopsis In May 1968, the student riots in Paris only exacerbate the isolation felt by three youths: an American exchange student named Matthew (Michael Pitt) and twins Théo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green). Having bonded over their mutual love of cinema, Matthew is fascinated by the sense of intimacy shared by Isabelle and Theo, who were born conjoined. When the twins' bohemian parents go away for a month, they ask Matthew to stay at their place, and the three lose themselves in fantasy.

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Producer: Jeremy Thomas
Screenwriter: Gilbert Adair
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Recorded Pictures Company
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 6, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.5M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)