MOVIEVIBE ← Back to Home

Breaking the Waves

1996 2h 39m
Drama Romance
MOVIEVIBE Rating
7.5/10
1,145 reviews
Your Rating
Breaking the Waves

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.

"Love is a mighty power."

Top Billed 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

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

C CinemaSerf Verified TMDB Critic
2023-08-06

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 on one such occasion that she begs him to send her husband home to her. Well, he does - but following a tragic accident that has left him completely incapacitated. She is determine...

F Filipe Manuel Neto Verified TMDB Critic
2024-04-14

**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 selfish reasons. Lars von Trier is like that: he loves a good controversy and doesn't mind about criticism, as long as they talk about him. And that's why I don't like him and I don...

A Andre Wilfred Sanders Verified TMDB Critic
2025-07-03

** 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 I’ve ever seen, embodying Bess’s innocence, devotion, and suffering with heartbreaking authenticity. Her portrayal is so visceral that it’s impossible not to be moved...