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The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

1989·Movie
2h 4min·NC-17
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Metacritic627.5Rotten Tomatoes87%88%
IMDb7.5Metacritic627.5Rotten Tomatoes87%88%

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover fingerprint

High energy, funny.

Energy

Violent and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Violence8
  • Tension7
  • Spectacle7

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis6

Humor

Some satire and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody7
  • Dark Humor7
  • Absurdist Humor5

World

Everyday modern life, society, and class and money

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want to half-watch while scrollingGraphic violence bothers youYou're watching with family

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Suspense moviesPsychological movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Lust...Murder...Dessert. Bon Appetit!

When churlish mobster Albert Spica acquires an upscale French restaurant in London, he dines there nightly, effectively scaring off the clientele with his bad manners. His wife, Georgina, is especially disgusted by him, and soon begins an affair with regular guest Michael. Despite their best efforts to keep it secret, Spica learns about their trysts, and he plots a terrible revenge.
Crime DramaAbusive RelationshipsSocial SatireBritish CinemaArt FilmIntense PerformancesVisually StrikingClass Warfare

Crew

Directed by:
Peter Greenaway, Gerrit Martijn
Written by:
Peter Greenaway
Produced by:
Daniel Toscan du Plantier, Sharon Howard-Field, Pascale Dauman
Composed by:
Michael Nyman, Nigel Heath, Garth Marshall

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 87%, and Metacritic 62). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover rated?

NC-17NuditySexual contentViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated NC-17 in the United States. Content advisories: nudity, sexual content, violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover?

2 h 4 min

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover runs 2 h 4 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover?

Critics75
Audiences79

Yes. Critics average 75 and audiences 79 out of 100, so both groups see The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover much the same way.

Was The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$8 million

Yes. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $8 million worldwide, 3.4 times its budget.

What language is The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in France, United Kingdom, Netherlands.

In how many countries can I watch The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover?

22ARBOBRBZCLCOCRDKECESFIGTHNJP+8

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover in 22 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover use?

The Dog Bites BackInstant SeductionHigh-Class CannibalDo You Want to Copulate?Advertised ExtraDomestic AbuseEvil Cannot Comprehend GoodHair-Trigger TemperIronic EchoColor MotifHope SpotSexual Karmaand 66 more

TV Tropes lists 78 storytelling tropes for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, including The Dog Bites Back, Instant Seduction, High-Class Cannibal.