8.4
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Comedy, Drama, Fantasy • 1999 • 113 min • Adults (18+)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Overview
One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.
Starring Cast
John Cusack • Cameron Diaz • Catherine Keener
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Center
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive
Viewer Rating
8.4
Overview
One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.
Starring Cast
John Cusack • Cameron Diaz • Catherine Keener
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Center
Primary
Political: Center
Confidence: High
The film's central exploration of identity, consciousness, and control is primarily philosophical and psychological, not explicitly political. While it touches on themes like commodification, these are presented within an absurdist narrative that avoids advocating for or against specific political ideologies.
Diversity: Low
Confidence: High
The movie primarily features traditional casting with a predominantly white cast and does not incorporate explicit race or gender swaps. Its narrative focuses on individual character flaws and existential themes, without explicitly critiquing or negatively framing traditional identities or making DEI themes central to its plot.
Secondary
LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: High
Being John Malkovich offers a positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes through Lotte's transformative arc. Her discovery of gender identity and same-sex attraction is depicted with dignity and agency. The film culminates in an affirming resolution, validating her authentic self and queer relationship without ridicule or negative framing.
Trans: Positive
Confidence: High
The film features Lotte, a character who discovers her male gender identity through a fantastical portal. Her journey is depicted as a profound personal realization, leading to self-acceptance and a fulfilling relationship. The narrative treats her evolving identity with seriousness and ultimately affirms her self-discovery.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
Being John Malkovich is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of pre-existing material or a biopic. All characters were created for this film, thus there is no prior canonical or historical gender to swap from.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
Being John Malkovich is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of pre-existing material with established character races. All characters were created for this film, thus no race swaps occurred.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.7
7.4
Critic Ratings
9.4
9.0
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