Applause
A celebrated actress fresh from rehabilitation fights to reclaim her sons while confronting the addiction and emotional damage that cost her custody.
Overview
A troubled actress battles her demons to reclaim her family and career.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- intimate
- harrowing
- quiet evening
- character drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an unsentimental and emotionally fearless recovery drama, led by Paprika Steen’s extraordinary performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Thea’s demanding stage career and public theatrical persona collide with her recovery and efforts to resume motherhood.
Thea leaves rehabilitation but remains vulnerable to alcohol abuse, emotional pressure, and the ghosts of her former life.
The central conflict concerns Thea’s attempt to become part of her sons’ lives again after divorce and custody loss.
Paprika Steen’s acclaimed portrayal emphasizes Thea’s volatility, charm, manipulation, shame, and vulnerability without sentimentality.
Films like Applause, and why
Rachel Getting Married
raw, psychologically intense addiction recovery drama centered on a damaged parent seeking reconnection
The Lost Weekend
intimate european character study about alcoholism, family fracture, and painful attempts at reconciliation
Leaving Las Vegas
emotionally unsparing performance-driven drama about addiction, shame, and family relationships
The Son's Room
naturalistic domestic drama focused on parental failure, recovery, and fragile hope
Movie Details
- Director
- Martin Zandvliet
- Release Date
- 2009-09-24
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (14)
Cast
- Paprika Steen
- Michael Falch
- Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks
- Noel Koch-Søfeldt
- Sara-Marie Maltha
- Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Applause about?
- A celebrated actress fresh from rehabilitation fights to reclaim her sons while confronting the addiction and emotional damage that cost her custody.
- What is Applause like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Applause as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Applause violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Applause.
- What did critics think of Applause?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an unsentimental and emotionally fearless recovery drama, led by Paprika Steen’s extraordinary performance.
- Which films are like Applause?
- Films with a similar feel include Rachel Getting Married, The Lost Weekend, Leaving Las Vegas, and The Son's Room.
- How long is Applause?
- Applause runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch Applause?
- In United States, Applause is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store.
