Holy Motors
2012France★ 74 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are and longing. Both circle the same ground: old ways vs. new world. Both move the same way too, surreal, absurdist, and dreamlike.
Birdman
2014USALanguage: EnglishDirected by Alejandro G. Inarritu★ 7.4
A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.
Themes and style
Tone
dark comedysurrealabsurdistmelancholicchaotichaunting
Pacing
relentlessescalatingdreamlike
Story
unravelingcompetitionsurvival
Emotion
figuring out who you areredemptionguiltall-consuming lovelongingshamerage
Themes
family wounds passed downfamily dutyold ways vs. new worldmen and women navigating expectationscorrupt institutionsclass and money
Feel
cerebraldiscussion starterrewatchablecatharticquietly hauntingexhausting
Violence
mildWhere to watch
Foreign films like Birdman
These foreign films share the same emotional core, themes, and structural feel as Birdman. Every one of them has confirmed English subtitles or dubbing.
99 Francs
2007France★ 6.74 pt match
Like Birdman, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are, guilt, and shame. The world both films live in revolves around class and money, corrupt institutions, and old ways vs. new world. The feel is the same: dark comedy, surreal, relentless, and escalating.
Open Your Eyes
1997Spain★ 7.44 pt match
What ties these together is figuring out who you are and all-consuming love. Both circle the same ground: men and women navigating expectations and class and money. Both move the same way too, surreal, melancholic, escalating, and dreamlike.
Emilia Pérez
2024France★ 6.43 pt match
Like Birdman, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are, redemption, and guilt. Both circle the same ground: men and women navigating expectations, corrupt institutions, and class and money. Both move the same way too, dark comedy, melancholic, and escalating.
Titane
2021France★ 6.33 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are and longing. They share the same lens on men and women navigating expectations, family duty, and family wounds passed down. The feel is the same: surreal, dark comedy, and escalating.