Overview
In a world where love transcends the ordinary, two lonely souls find solace in each other's dreams.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- eerie
- dreamy
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a tender, visually distinctive, and eccentric portrait of love and loneliness, anchored by strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Endre and Mária repeatedly inhabit the same deer-filled winter dream while remaining awkward and distant at the slaughterhouse.
The film intercuts snowy woodland imagery and animal tenderness with the cold routines of an abattoir.
Mária's guarded social behavior and Endre's disabled arm make touch, trust, and direct communication central obstacles.
The shared dream connection gives the restrained workplace romance an eerie, spiritual atmosphere.
Films like On Body and Soul, and why
The Shape of Water
shared dreamy romanticism, emotional isolation, and eccentric tenderness
Amélie
shared surreal love story, social awkwardness, and melancholic whimsy
A Ghost Story
shared quiet intimacy, unconventional romance, and poetic natural imagery
Lars and the Real Girl
shared alienated protagonists, deadpan sensitivity, and offbeat romantic connection
Movie Details
- Director
- Ildikó Enyedi
- Release Date
- 2017-03-02
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (635)
Cast
- Alexandra Borbély
- Morcsányi Géza
- Réka Tenki
- Ervin Nagy
- Zoltán Schneider
- Tamás Jordán
- Itala Békés
- Éva Bata
- Pál Mácsai
- Zsuzsa Járó
Common questions
- What is On Body and Soul about?
- Two emotionally guarded abattoir workers discover an uncanny shared dream that offers a path toward trust, touch, and love.
- What is On Body and Soul like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of On Body and Soul as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is On Body and Soul violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in On Body and Soul as moderate.
- What did critics think of On Body and Soul?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a tender, visually distinctive, and eccentric portrait of love and loneliness, anchored by strong performances.
- Which films are like On Body and Soul?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shape of Water, Amélie, A Ghost Story, and Lars and the Real Girl.
- How long is On Body and Soul?
- On Body and Soul runs 116 minutes.
