Cosmopolis
A cold young billionaire crosses a paralyzed Manhattan in search of a haircut while financial collapse and an unknown assassin close in.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- cold
- cerebral
- sardonic
- late night cinephile viewing
- political film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation psychologically complex and precisely directed, though its cold, didactic dialogue and abstract style divided viewers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eric Packer moves through Manhattan surrounded by luxury, advisers, and intimacy yet remains emotionally and socially detached.
Most of Eric's trek toward his barber unfolds inside his stretch limousine amid gridlock, protests, and encounters.
Eric's fortune hinges on a speculative currency transaction while protesters and city residents confront its material consequences.
Meetings with figures such as the Head of Theory and André Petrescu foreground ideas, diagnosis, and ideological confrontation.
Films like Cosmopolis, and why
The Game
shared cerebral financial paranoia, alienated wealth, and sharply stylized urban thriller atmosphere
American Psycho
shared critique of elite capitalism, emotionally detached protagonists, and compressed existential tension
After Hours
shared one-day urban odyssey, philosophical dialogue, and increasingly disorienting psychological intensity
The Square
shared literary modernism, claustrophobic luxury interiors, and abstract examination of capitalist power
Movie Details
- Director
- David Cronenberg
- Release Date
- 2012-05-25
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (1384)
Cast
- Robert Pattinson
- Juliette Binoche
- Sarah Gadon
- Mathieu Amalric
- Jay Baruchel
- Kevin Durand
- K'naan
- Emily Hampshire
- Samantha Morton
- Paul Giamatti
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cosmopolis about?
- A cold young billionaire crosses a paralyzed Manhattan in search of a haircut while financial collapse and an unknown assassin close in.
- What is Cosmopolis like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cosmopolis as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Cosmopolis violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cosmopolis as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cosmopolis?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation psychologically complex and precisely directed, though its cold, didactic dialogue and abstract style divided viewers.
- Which films are like Cosmopolis?
- Films with a similar feel include The Game, American Psycho, After Hours, and The Square.
- How long is Cosmopolis?
- Cosmopolis runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cosmopolis?
- In United States, Cosmopolis streams on Starz Apple TV channel, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
