Hard to Be a God
6.5
Hard to Be a God fingerprint
High energy, funny, light on feelings.
Energy
Brutally violent and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Violence9
- Tension8
- Spectacle7
Heart
Melancholic and moving
- Melancholy8
- Pathos7
- Catharsis6
Humor
Plenty of dark humor and satire
- Dark Humor8
- Satire & Parody7
- Absurdist Humor4
World
Politics, society, and class and money
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion9
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout direction and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Complexity9
- Direction8
- Character Depth8
Style
Standout cinematography and visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
- Cinematography8
- Visual Stylization8
- Editing7
Energy
HighBrutally violent and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Hard to Be a God is brutally violent, tense, and spectacular. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Violence9Physical conflict and intensity.
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare4Frightening moments and scares.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
Related traits
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Grotesque9Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Uncanny8Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Warfare7Battles, strategy, and conflict.
Heart
LowMelancholic and moving
Emotionally, it's melancholic and moving.
All heart traits
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Nostalgia3Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Family Dynamics3Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical8Ideas about life and existence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
HighPlenty of dark humor and satire
Expect plenty of dark humor and satire.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor8Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Satire & Parody7Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Absurdist Humor4Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
Related traits
- Eccentricity7Oddball tone and quirks.
World
HighPolitics, society, and class and money
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around politics, society, and class and money. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It leaves some questions open.
All world traits
- World Immersion9Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity7Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Politics9Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Class & Capitalism9Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Surrealism8Dreamlike, bizarre imagery.
Craft
HighStandout direction and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The direction and characters stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Complexity9Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative4Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical8Ideas about life and existence.
- Novelty7Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
HighStandout cinematography and visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
Look and sound: the cinematography and visual style stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Visual Stylization8Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality4The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Grotesque9Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Psychedelic6Mind-bending, trippy visuals.
Who it's for
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Questions about Hard to Be a God
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Hard to Be a God worth watching?
Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes 95%, and Metacritic 93). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Hard to Be a God rated?
It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How long is Hard to Be a God?
2 h 57 min
Hard to Be a God runs 2 h 57 min.
Is Hard to Be a God based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on Hard to Be a God?
Not quite. Critics rate Hard to Be a God higher (94) than audiences (62). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was Hard to Be a God a box office hit?
No. It cost about $7 million to make and earned $1 million worldwide, 19% of its budget.
What language is Hard to Be a God in?
It was made in Russian. Produced in Russia.
In how many countries can I watch Hard to Be a God?
+17GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Hard to Be a God in 31 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.