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Trailer

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

1972Movie2 h 4 min

DramaRomance
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Metacritic736.6Rotten Tomatoes85%85%

A relentlessly bleak, melancholic drama movie about the mind and society, with standout characters.

Good for date night · friends night · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Sex is the ultimate weapon.

Petra von Kant is a successful fashion designer -- arrogant, caustic, and self-satisfied. She mistreats Marlene (her secretary, maid, and co-designer). Enter Karin, a 23-year-old beauty who wants to be a model. Petra falls in love with Karin and invites her to move in.

Feels like

  • Female-Led Drama
  • Fashion World
  • Love and Betrayal
  • Psychological Intensity
  • Class Dynamics
  • Arrogance and Self-Destruction
  • Complex Relationships
  • Melancholy Mood

Cast

6 of 6

Crew

Directed by
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Written by
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Produced by
Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Michael Fengler
Music by
Giuseppe Verdi

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 5, 1972 · 2 h 4 min · Sexual Content

Released
October 5, 1972
Runtime
2 h 4 min
Content
Sexual Content
Genres
Drama, Romance
Original language
German
Made in
Germany
Available in
21 countries

Tropes

Character Title, Author Avatar, This Is Unforgivable! +9

  • Character Title
  • Author Avatar
  • This Is Unforgivable!
  • Chromosome Casting
  • Anti-Hero
  • Younger Than They Look
  • Important Hair Accessory
  • Black Is Bigger in Bed
  • All Love Is Unrequited
  • The Voiceless
  • No Bisexuals
  • Meal Ticket

12 of 17 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant?"

Questions about The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant?

HBO MaxCriterion

In the United States, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant streams on HBO Max and Criterion. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 14 other countries.

Is The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 73).

Is The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant good for date night?

and 1 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Will I feel good after watching The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 1 for hopefulness.

Is The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant in English?

German

No, it was made in German.