Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Film · Drama, Comedy
Stream itif you appreciate technical audacity and a cynical, high-energy exploration of celebrity ego.
A frantic, high-wire act that captures the claustrophobia and ego of the theater through a breathless continuous-shot technique. It is a neurotic and cynical character study for those who enjoy technical virtuosity and biting satire rather than a straightforward narrative. The four-Oscar win reflects its immense craft, but the manic energy and surrealist flourishes make it an intense, sometimes exhausting watch.
What it is about
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.
Trailer
What Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like being swept up in a restless, caffeinated fever dream. The cinematography creates the illusion of a single, unbroken take, winding through the cramped corridors and rooftop ledges of a Broadway theatre. The pace is unrelenting, driven by a percussive jazz score that mirrors the protagonist's fraying mental state. It is visually claustrophobic and emotionally loud, blending grit with sudden bursts of the surreal.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is a must-watch for those who enjoy sharp, self-reflexive satire and powerhouse acting, particularly Michael Keaton’s meta-commentary on fame. However, the film is intensely neurotic; if you are looking for a relaxing narrative or a sympathetic cast of characters, you may find the constant bickering and pretension draining. The central caveat is that the technical gimmickry occasionally overshadows the emotional heart of the story.
The right evening for it
It is perfect for an evening when you want to be fully engaged by craftsmanship. It suits a late-night viewing when you have the mental stamina for something sharp, loud, and stylistically bold.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official Worldwide Trailer
How Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely feel buzzed and slightly breathless, left with a lingering contemplation of the thin line between genuine artistic legacy and the hollow pursuit of relevance.
How Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
On opening night, Riggan uses a real gun during the final scene of the play and shoots himself in the face on stage, earning a standing ovation from the audience. He survives the suicide attempt and wakes up in a hospital with a surgically reconstructed nose. His lawyer, Jake, informs him that the influential critic Tabitha Dickinson gave the play a glowing review, interpreting his actions as a revolutionary acting technique. After his daughter, Sam, shows him his new-found viral fame on social media, Riggan goes into the bathroom, removes his bandages, and says a final goodbye to the Birdman voice.
The film ends with Riggan opening the hospital window and climbing out onto the ledge after watching a flock of birds. When Sam returns to the room and finds it empty, she looks down at the ground in panic, but finding nothing there, she slowly looks up towards the sky and smiles. This leaves it unclear whether Riggan has fallen to his death or has achieved the flight he previously imagined.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Black Swan (2010)
the same claustrophobic obsession with artistic perfection and blurring of reality
All About Eve (1950)
a biting, dialogue-heavy look at the egos and insecurities of the theatre world
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
the surrealist collapse of boundaries between a stage production and a man's life
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More clips
Trailer · Official Teaser Trailer
Teaser · Now Playing
Teaser · Now Playing
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) soundtrack
Music by Antonio Sánchez
Awards
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography at the Oscars. It also won at the BAFTAs and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Oscars
- Won: Best Picture · 2015
- Won: Best Director · Alejandro González Iñárritu · 2015
- Won: Best Original Screenplay · Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. · 2015
- Won: Best Cinematography · 2015
- Nominated: Best Actor · Michael Keaton · 2015
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor · Edward Norton · 2015
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress · 2015
- Nominated: Best Sound · 2015
- Nominated: Best Sound Editing · 2015
BAFTAs
- Won: Best Cinematography · 2015
Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Won: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · 2014
13 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: AACTA International Award for Best Film · 2015
- Won: Independent Spirit Award for Best Film · 2015
- Won: Satellite Award for Best Film · 2015
- Won: Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film · 2014
- Won: Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film · 2014
- Won: Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Film · 2014
- Won: AACTA International Award for Best Direction · Alejandro González Iñárritu · 2015
- Won: Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film · Alejandro González Iñárritu · 2015
- Won: Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director · Alejandro González Iñárritu · 2014
- Won: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast · 2014
- Won: San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble · 2014
- Won: Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble · 2014
- Won: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic. A frantic, high-wire act that captures the claustrophobia and ego of the theater through a breathless continuous-shot technique. It is a neurotic and cynical character study for those who enjoy technical virtuosity and biting satire rather than a straightforward narrative. The four-Oscar win reflects its immense craft, but the manic energy and surrealist flourishes make it an intense, sometimes exhausting watch.
- How long is Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)?
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) runs 120 min and was released in 2014.
- Where can I watch Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in Canada?
- In Canada it is not included with any subscription service at the moment. JustWatch lists rental and purchase options.
- Where can I watch Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in Germany?
- In Germany, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is included with Disney Plus, Joyn Plus, Kabel Eins Classics Amazon Channel, Seven Entertainment Amazon Channel, Magenta TV+.
- What awards did Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) win?
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography at the Oscars. It also won at the BAFTAs and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
- Who composed the music for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)?
- The music for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is by Antonio Sánchez.
- Is Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) worth watching?
- Stream it: if you appreciate technical audacity and a cynical, high-energy exploration of celebrity ego. IMDb users rate it 7.7 out of 10 from 697,630 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 91%, Metacritic 87 and TMDB users 7.4.
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