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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Directed by Julian Schnabel · 2007 ·

Short answer

Is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly worth watching?

Yes. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) earns an 88% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (94%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (85%). See the 4 inputs.

88%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

94% Editorial Rating
85% Audience snapshot · excluded
92 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.2
8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 52m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12 (UK) · M (Australia) · PG (Canada) · 12 (South Korea)
Cast
Mathieu Amalric , Emmanuelle Seigner , Marie-Josée Croze
Country
France
Language
French

Also known as Le Scaphandre et le Papillon La Escafandra Y La Mariposa Schmetterling und Taucherglocke O Escafandro e a Borboleta 潜水服は蝶の夢を見る 잠수종과 나비 潜水钟与蝴蝶 潛水鐘與蝴蝶

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists U-NEXT in Japan. Check local listings for your region.

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (94/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (85%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (92/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.2/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, biography pick
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly worth watching?

    Yes — The Diving Bell and the Butterfly earns an 88% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, biography pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Schnabel transforms paralysis into poetry through subjective camera and luminous empathy.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (94%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (85%).

    What is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly about?

    Editor Jean-Dominique Bauby dictates his memoir by blinking one eye after a stroke leaves him with locked-in syndrome.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Review: Freedom in a Blink

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is Julian Schnabel's true story of a paralysed editor who wrote a memoir by blinking, a film that makes confinement feel limitless.

    Yes. It is a luminous, unexpectedly funny film about a life lived inside a paralysed body, essential for adults open to a demanding but uplifting drama.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly production still 1
    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly production still 2
    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly production still 3

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: frequently asked questions

    Is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly worth watching?

    Yes. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) has a Celluloid Score of 88%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?

    In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

    What is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly rated?

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12 in the UK, M in Australia, PG in Canada and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?

    The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is directed by Julian Schnabel and stars Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze.

    What is the Metascore for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?

    Metacritic's Metascore for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is 92 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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