Breaking the Waves poster
7.5/10 1996 2h 39m Released

Love is a mighty power.

In a small, conservative Scottish village, an oilman is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when he urges her to have sex with another.

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Top Cast

Emily Watson
Emily Watson
Bess McNeill
Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan Skarsgård
Jan Nyman
Katrin Cartlidge
Katrin Cartlidge
Dodo McNeill
Jean-Marc Barr
Jean-Marc Barr
Terry
Adrian Rawlins
Adrian Rawlins
Dr. Richardson
Jonathan Hackett
Jonathan Hackett
Priest
Sandra Voe
Sandra Voe
Mother
Udo Kier
Udo Kier
Sadistic Sailor
Mikkel Gaup
Mikkel Gaup
Pits
Roef Ragas
Roef Ragas
Pim
Robert Robertson
Robert Robertson
Chairman
Phil McCall
Phil McCall
Grandfather
Desmond Reilly
Desmond Reilly
An Elder
Sarah Gudgeon
Sarah Gudgeon
Sybilla
Finlay Welsh
Finlay Welsh
Coroner
David Gallacher
David Gallacher
Glasgow Doctor

Reviews

CinemaSerf 7/10

Though I really didn't rate the story so much here, I thought the performance from Emily Watson as "Bess" is formidable. She lives on a remote Scottish island and is to marry oil rig worker "Jan" (Stellan Skarsgård). Somewhat reluctantly, the islanders embrace this and all is happy until she feels the wrench of his return to the rig. Pining for him, she regularly has conversations with God in their small kirk. It's…

Filipe Manuel Neto 1/10

**An ugly film on all levels that insults our intelligence.** For me, cinema is an art that tells good stories, whether fictional, true or a mix of fiction and real facts. It has a clear social role, often makes people think or raises difficult questions. However, there are directors who seem to live off controversy, that is, they try to use cinema to shock or impress, attracting attention for the worst and most…

Andre Wilfred Sanders 10/10

** A Movie That Doesn’t Just Move You, It Breaks You ** not just a film—it’s a raw, transcendent piece of art that pierces straight through the heart. From the hauntingly beautiful cinematography to Lars von Trier’s uncompromising direction, every frame of this movie is crafted with such emotional intensity that it becomes an unforgettable experience. Emily Watson delivers one of the most powerful performances…

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FAQ about Breaking the Waves

What is Breaking the Waves about?
In a small, conservative Scottish village, an oilman is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when he urges her to have sex with another.
When was Breaking the Waves released?
Breaking the Waves was released in 1996.
What genres does Breaking the Waves belong to?
Breaking the Waves is categorised as Drama, Romance.
Who stars in Breaking the Waves?
The cast of Breaking the Waves includes Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Jean-Marc Barr, Adrian Rawlins.