Overview
A poignant exploration of love's endurance through the ravages of time and illness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- intimate
- reflective
- quiet evening
- literary film night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the drama solidly constructed and elevated by the strength of its four lead performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Older John Bayley recalls his relationship with Iris across contrasting periods of their shared life.
Iris Murdoch's vibrant academic and literary identity is set against her later Alzheimer's disease.
John remains committed while Iris becomes increasingly dependent and unable to perform basic tasks.
Murdoch's reputation as a British writer and philosopher is interwoven with her marriage and domestic life.
Films like Iris, and why
The Theory of Everything
shared biographical romance, aging, caregiving, and emotionally devastating performances
The Hours
shared literary biography, enduring partnership, and intimate illness drama
Away from Her
shared mature romance, memory, and tenderness amid cognitive decline
The Remains of the Day
shared British period setting, intellectual protagonists, and restrained emotional drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Eyre
- Release Date
- 2001-12-14
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (226)
Cast
- Kate Winslet
- Judi Dench
- Jim Broadbent
- Hugh Bonneville
- Penelope Wilton
- Samuel West
- Timothy West
- Kris Marshall
- Juliet Aubrey
- Derek Hutchinson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Iris about?
- A tender, painful portrait of Iris Murdoch and John Bayley's lifelong love as intellectual brilliance gives way to Alzheimer's disease.
- What is Iris like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Iris as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Iris violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Iris.
- What did critics think of Iris?
- Critics broadly found the drama solidly constructed and elevated by the strength of its four lead performances.
- Which films are like Iris?
- Films with a similar feel include The Theory of Everything, The Hours, Away from Her, and The Remains of the Day.
- How long is Iris?
- Iris runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Iris?
- In United States, Iris is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
