Three people in an isolated house, with the electricity coming and going, close to the raging sea, are struggling to clarify the complex relationships they had in the past and which threaten their current existence. Polanski at his best! Appears to have been nicely restored. Not a date movie, unless you are in a sadomasochistic relationship. Ben Kingsley deserved an Oscar for assholiness.

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Sigourney Weaver is amazing in this dark thriller directed by the master Polanski. Great ending. Ben Kingsley is impressive.

Perfect performance by the actors. A great movie that keeps the tension high!

Impressive performance from the main cast. Thrilling story

I like Polanski, but this feels lacklustre. The writing is missing something, as there is no real depth or connection formed between the audience and SW's character, so the story lacks an integral empathy and shared anger at her experiences, which drastically impacts on everything that follows, despite the solid performances of the three actors. As such, there is no real sense of threat or suspense, with events being predictable, and the outcome fairly clear

Death and the Maiden (1994) ...so you were tied down, naked, blindfolded and being electrocuted in your average day, but then and only then did the unacceptable raping begin? Wow, that is abhorrently subversive and entirely unbelievable. Evidencing what type of planet we live on where this is a believable plot with an expected narrative and outcome, for general admission and entertainment. Because of course, who hasn't been blindfolded, naked, electrocuted, and thought yeah, this is certainly a rap-free environment where I feel my liberty is secure from exploitation in all regards.

This is not for everyone and I won't feel like watching it again for a long time. It is unflinching in its description of cruelty, yet the characters all wear a veneer of sophistication and they try to reason with each other. The result is spellbinding.

The script isn't quite as good as the acting but it holds your interest the entire time.

I really liked this movie when I seen it. Another good film from Roman Polanski. Acting is great.

Sigourney's crazy goes a little far for me - but Polanski does his (great) thing with the film. Title from Schubert's string quartet takes central role.

Nailbiting, Weaver is heavy, but great

Polanski maestro, fascinado con sus atmosferas.

Considering what this movie's about, it's nearly impossible to talk about any of it without discussing the inherently problematic nature behind Roman Polanski directing it. If it were up to me, the man would've no longer been working after the year 1978. And, in this alternative timeline, I'm almost certain Ariel Dorfman's "Death And The Maiden" would have gotten picked up and adapted into a fantastic film, regardless of who directed it. "Death And The Maiden" is a lot like James Foley's 1992 adaptation of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," in that regard. The direction itself? It's fine. A couple interesting little shots and camera movements here and there, but nothing too crazy. The material, though? Man, oh, man. This is just a terrific story, layered with intrigue and the slimy, cognitive-dissonance-inducing realities of the world we all inhabit. It's hauntingly staged and executed from a narrative standpoint, featuring some truly thought-provoking musings on justice, truth and the sliding scale of the human condition. The acting is to be commended as well, with high marks going to Ben Kingsley, especially. I was really riveted by this. I just wish the powers-that-be weren't so tone deaf in their selecting of someone to bring such an impactful story as this to the big screen.

The titular Franz Schubert's The String Quartet No. 14 in D minor is a leitmotiv in Roman Polanski's electrifying adaptation of Ariel Dorfman's three-hander play of the same title that is a chilling mystery thriller examining the psychological trauma of political torture.

From it's intriguing title to it's well crafted score and amazingly convincing acting by Weaver and Kingsley, this classic drama is deserving of a place in the cinema hall of fame amongst the very best of movies. Definitely one of Polanski's best works.

Typical Polanski protest that will resonates for ever.

Another great play adaptation by Polanski. Basically three people in one room, but the film is incredibly intense. Fantastic performances. A bit weird that Spanish characters are all played by white people, but whatever. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

M-F 8.4 [Roman Polanski]

Ainda que se prolongue mais do que deveria e conte com algumas quase imperdoáveis coincidências, o bom elenco e a direção de Polanski salvam o filme.