7.4/10
118,668
728 user 210 critic

Irréversible (2002)

Trailer
1:33 | Trailer
Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass.

Director:

Gaspar Noé

Writer:

Gaspar Noé
Reviews
Popularity
1,000 ( 102)
3 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Monica Bellucci ... Alex (as Bellucci)
Vincent Cassel ... Marcus (as Cassel)
Albert Dupontel ... Pierre (as Dupontel)
Jo Prestia ... Le Tenia (as Prestia)
Philippe Nahon ... L'homme (as Nahon)
Stéphane Drouot Stéphane Drouot ... Stéphane (as Drouot)
Jean-Louis Costes Jean-Louis Costes ... Fistman (as Costes)
Mick Gondouin ... Mick (as Gondouin)
Mourad Khima Mourad Khima ... Mourad (as Khima)
Hellal Hellal ... Layde
Nato Nato ... Commissaire
Fesche Fesche ... Chauffeur Taxi
Jara-Millo Jara-Millo ... Concha (as Jaramillo)
Le Quellec Le Quellec ... Inspecteur
Isabelle Giami Isabelle Giami ... Copine d'Alex enceinte (as Giami)
Edit

Storyline

Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass. Her boyfriend and ex-lover take matters into their own hands by hiring two criminals to help them find the rapist so that they can exact revenge. A simultaneously beautiful and terrible examination of the destructive nature of cause and effect, and how time destroys everything. Written by Denny Gibbons

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Time destroys everything


Certificate:

16 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mick Gondouin was a martial arts practicer and a friend of Jo Prestia. Prestia convinced Gondoin to audition for a part. See more »

Goofs

When Alex is in the bed with her boyfriend and they get up to dance, the whole film crew is mirrored on the glass of the window. See more »

Quotes

Alex: You know what people say? There are no women who can't come, only men who can't fuck.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The capital letter "E" is written backwards in the credits. See more »

Alternate Versions

The Hong Kong version is cut (despite being given a Category III rating, meaning under 18s are prohibited from watching this film) for nudity and sexual violence. Most genitalia is blurred or pixelated except for the digital penis. Alex's rape is butchered by 5 mins. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Four Kinds of Love (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Mon Manège à Moi
Music by Norbert Glanzberg
Lyrics by Jean Constantin
Performed by Étienne Daho
Les Nouvelles Editions Meridian
See more »

User Reviews

 
Cinematic Torture
19 February 2004 | by dbborroughsSee all my reviews

If movies are suppose to effect the viewer then this movie is king of the hill. From the dis-orienting camera moves that open the film through the violence in the gay bar, the seemingly never ending rape and the films unraveling of the days events in a backwards march I have yet to meet anyone who has not been deeply effected by this movie - if they were brave enough or stupid enough to watch it. (I'm still trying to figure out a local Best Buy displaying a large number of DVD's as if it was the latest Adam Sandler movie)

It is not an easy movie to watch but as an examination of what people are capable and how violence can come from nowhere and from the unexpected its a masterpiece. The backward structure takes what is essentially a dull revenge story and turns it on its ear as we are forced to really examine how things get out of hand very quickly and what people will do when pushed to the limit.

If you want a challenge to your psyche and can brave simply some of the most vicious and nasty screen violence (yes its graphic but much is also implied) then see this movie - preferably with out distraction. But be warned, even if you think you know what this movie is about and what your limits in screen violence is, you still won't be prepared for what a mental hot foot this film is.


464 of 563 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 728 user reviews »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more »
Edit

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French | Spanish | Italian | English

Release Date:

24 May 2002 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Irréversible See more »

Edit

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,086, 9 March 2003

Gross USA:

$792,200

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,479,328
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

120 Films, Canal+, Eskwad See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| | (Inversion intégrale)

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »

Contribute to This Page

Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family

Prime Video has you covered this holiday season with movies for the family. Here are some of our picks to get you in the spirit.

Get some picks



Recently Viewed