The Square

In select theaters
October 27^th 2017

142 minutes

English
Swedish
Danish

Sweden
Germany
France
Denmark

Christian is the respected curator of a contemporary art museum, a divorced but devoted father of two who drives an electric car and supports good causes. His next show is “The Square”, an installation which invites passersby to altruism, reminding them of their role as responsible fellow human beings. But sometimes, it is difficult to live up to your own ideals: Christian’s foolish response to the theft of his phone drags him into shameful situations. Meanwhile, the museum's PR agency has created an unexpected campaign for ”The Square”. The response is overblown and sends Christian, as well as the museum, into an existential crisis.

Writer/Director

Ruben Östlund

56% on the CINEMETER

55% - Oct 22, 2017

Transcendently disquieting.
San Francisco Member

Very courageous! Provocative! I love that it took risks. The gala dinner scene was one of the most disturbing scenes ever.
San Francisco Member

Chaotic - confronting many ideas of truth, beauty, values…but too many. I was in constant discomfort and fearful of what will happen but enjoying the gorgeous visuals.
San Francisco Member

It was a mess, but a fascinating mess.
San Francisco Member

Uncomfortable, provocative, brilliant, funny, confusing - although probably cramming in too many ideas.
San Francisco Member

Fascinating commentary on our modern lives, inequalities, fears and helplessness. Did it try to take on too much? Yes, but there were some singularly great moments. Loved the Yo-yo Ma / Bobby McFerrin music.
San Francisco Member

STL

43% - Oct 29, 2017

This was weird. I liked it. I need to watch it again.

A profound appeal for compassion, asking what does it take for everyone to look past their prejudices. I liked it.

It will take a long time to sort through all the messages about personal responsibility and how we step up, when we step up. For its length, it moved pretty quickly. Strange, but thought provoking.
St. Louis Member

Interesting, funny, disturbing, good satire and social commentary. Liked it.

I wish movies like this could be made in the US. Seems to be about kindness, social media/advertising, the rights and responsibilities we have towards one another.

Very good, held my attention. A little strange, though.
St. Louis Member

Not likeable, but powerful in that it makes one think about life's random occurrences, beggars, vigilance, freedom of expression, communication, and responsibilities.

This is a complicated film, perhaps too over-reaching. Art is art, but we have to experience life ourselves, not have it blow up in our faces,

Fascinating film, although disjointed.
St. Louis Member

Quirky, creative script. Great use of humor. Addresses the choices we make regarding how we solve problems--violently? Altruistically? Tolerantly? Do we trust each other to resolve issues civilly?
St. Louis Member

MIL

77% - Oct 22, 2017

I liked it -- but not sure why.
Milwaukee Member

Thought-provoking and original.
Milwaukee Member

Great!
Milwaukee Member

A great companion piece to FORCE MAJEURE!
Milwaukee Member

ATL

69% - Oct 29, 2017

59% - Oct 22, 2017

Non-linear and provocative. Not sure I understood it, but I liked it.
Greater New Haven Member

I admired it, was in awe of its audacity, and I hated it at the same time. A confusing treatise on the breakdown of trust and its consequences in a commercial world. Disturbing always and funny at times.
Greater New Haven Member

Flawed, ambitious, disturbing, with some masterly passages.
Greater New Haven Member

Great film - so provocative and affecting.
Greater New Haven Member

Extraordinarily moving and difficult. The various issues attacked head on were far reaching - from poverty to casual sex . . . to free speech to dealing with violence and fear and more.
Greater New Haven Member

In a way, a rightist POV on a left leaning and fair museum director who was taken down.
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

43% - Oct 22, 2017

Complex, interesting
Boston Member

Constantly forces me to consider where I stand ethically
Boston Member

From a psychological standpoint it was beautifully done. Also a brilliant satire on ultraliberalism
Boston Member

Cinematography was excellent, good use of of shadows and stairwells.
Boston Member

Christian was terrific!
Boston Member

45% - Oct 29, 2017

A difficult and disturbing movie, but it was excellent and I was never bored. The Square is our world, we should all act with responsibility and respect.
Washington, DC Member

I didn't quite get all of it, but I know that it has to be excellent.
Washington, DC Member

A very powerful, thought-provoking, mesmerizing, provocative and important film.
Washington, DC Member

Hilarious! It was so Swedish and a spoof on the pompous modern art world. It turns out Mr. Perfect is actually a disaster. Appearances do not tell the whole story. Moral message clouded in humor.
Washington, DC Member

You had to be European to appreciate it. Reminds me of Nouvelle Vogue movies, but even more illogical and scattered. Might have been easier to take if it was an hour shorter. Another example of pleasing the critics, but not the audience.
Washington, DC Member

The Square ©

Magnolia Pictures