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Cries & Whispers

1972 · Movie · R · 95 min · ★ 7.9 · 89% critics

Drama

In a secluded country house, a woman nears the end of a long illness while her family gathers around her. As time passes, old resentments and private griefs surface, and the people closest to her struggle to offer comfort, leaving a devoted caretaker to provide the warmth and presence others can’t.

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Streaming on HBO Max.

2 hours to watch.

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Details
Original title
Viskningar och rop
Years
1972
Release date
1972-12-21
Language
Swedish
Rated
R
Runtime
95 min
Critic score
89/100
TMDB rating
7.9/10 (781 votes)
About

You may like this if you want a heavy, intimate drama about family tension, suffering, and fragile compassion in a closed setting; Not for you if you need fast pacing, warmth, or clear plot beats like Through a Glass Darkly or Wild Strawberries.

Pros: emotionally intense performances; haunting, vivid visuals; lingering atmosphere | Cons: very slow pacing; bleak, draining mood; feels cold, distant

Themes

  • dying and death
  • sibling relationship
  • sweden
  • sister
  • cancer
  • mansion
  • 19th century

Awards & recognition

  • Academy AwardBest Cinematography · 1974
  • Academy AwardBest Costume Design · 1974 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Picture · 1974 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Cinematography · 1974 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Director · nominated
Show all 6 awards →
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Original Screenplay · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Ingmar Bergman