# The Lives of Others (2006) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-lives-of-others-2006/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-13

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 90% |
| Critic Score | 93% |
| Audience Score | 94% |
| Metascore | 89/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.4/5 |
| IMDb | 8.4/10 |
| Director | Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
| Runtime | 137 min |

## Quick answer

The Lives of Others (2006) earns a 90% Celluloid Score — Celluloid Pick. A surveillance-state thriller that humanizes both watcher and watched with devastating restraint. Metascore 89/100. Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.

## Critics consensus

A surveillance-state thriller that humanizes both watcher and watched with devastating restraint.

## Synopsis

A Stasi officer assigned to spy on a playwright in East Berlin becomes unexpectedly moved by the art and love he is meant to destroy.

## Cast

Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Lives of Others worth watching?**
The Lives of Others holds a 90% Celluloid Score. A surveillance-state thriller that humanizes both watcher and watched with devastating restraint.

**What is The Lives of Others about?**
A Stasi officer assigned to spy on a playwright in East Berlin becomes unexpectedly moved by the art and love he is meant to destroy.

**Who directed The Lives of Others?**
The Lives of Others (2006) was directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Lives of Others?**
90% — the average of five public sources: critics 93%, audience 94%, Metascore 89/100, Letterboxd 4.4/5, and IMDb 8.4/10.

**Where can I watch The Lives of Others?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Lives of Others page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://mrkaiserkhan.com)

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