Aurora

2010, Movie, 3h 6min

Director Cristi Puiu’s follow-up to his Romanian New Wave landmark THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU is a mesmerizingly tense, daringly minimalist crime thriller infused with a creeping existential dread. The director himself stars as Viorel, a deeply alienated forty-two-year-old man who wanders through Bucharest, drifting through enigmatic, increasingly unsettling encounters with family members, coworkers, and strangers. Troubled by obscure thoughts—and armed with a shotgun—he drives across the city to a destination known only to him.

Country: France,Romania,Switzerland,Germany

Director:

Cast:

Where to Watch Aurora online

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The Criterion Channel

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Ratings

Your rating: 1

IMDb rating

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6.5

Critic rating

Average critic rating

8.0

Reviews

Critic David Parkinson

rated

...Cristi Puiu’s performance matches his direction in this study of a killer, conveying the simmering resentment of a crushed soul with nothing left to lose...

Read full review at Empire

Critic Kim Newman

rated

...Cristi Puiu’s performance matches his direction in this study of a killer, conveying the simmering resentment of a crushed soul with nothing left to lose.

Read full review at Empire

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Frequently asked questions

What is Aurora about? Toggle content

In the film "Aurora," a recently divorced man named Viorel struggles to cope with his emotional pain. As he navigates the streets of Bucharest, he becomes increasingly consumed by dark thoughts and ultimately takes drastic measures to end his suffering. The film follows Viorel's journey, from his anxious moments in his apartment to his startling actions in the city, raising questions about the human condition and the fragility of the male psyche. With a cast of strong Romanian actors, "Aurora" offers a thought-provoking and unsettling portrayal of one man's descent into madness.

Where can I stream Aurora? Toggle content

You can stream Aurora on: The Criterion Channel

What movies are similar to Aurora? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Aurora include Take Me to the River, The Ron Clark Story, Oslo, August 31st, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, The Flying Scotsman, The Skeleton Twins.

When was Aurora released in theaters? Toggle content

Aurora was released in theaters on June 29, 2011.