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The Last Circus

Play trailer Poster for The Last Circus R 2011 1h 47m Comedy Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A twisted love triangle develops among a Spanish clown (Carlos Areces), his cruel rival (Antonio de la Torre) and the rival's abused -- but lustful -- wife (Carolina Bang).
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The Last Circus

The Last Circus

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Critics Consensus

The Last Circus is an uneven but winningly insane blend of hard violence, sex, black humor, and social satire.

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Critics Reviews

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Greg Quill Toronto Star 10/01/2011
3/4
Basque director Álex de la Iglesia's exotic, surreal, hilarious, bloody and utterly explosive grand opus. Go to Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail 09/30/2011
2/4
From the far-too-teeming brain of Spanish writer/director Alex de la Iglesia, The Last Circus is a bizarre, surreal, grotesque, fascinating, demanding, disappointing and ultimately exhausting political allegory that plays like a waking nightmare. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle 09/16/2011
3.5/5
It's not a pretty picture, but it is a hellaciously gorgeous and original film. Go to Full Review Emma Wolfe SpookyAstronauts 10/21/2020
7/10
I don't even know what I just watched. Go to Full Review Brent McKnight The Last Thing I See 07/11/2020
A-
Any movie that starts with a clown wielding a machete is on the right track. Circus performers conscripted against their will to fight a war they neither believe in, nor have any interest in participating in. How can you go wrong? Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest 01/09/2019
Comedies don't come any blacker than this, but few filmmakers are able to do more with their palette than De La Iglesia. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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alan g @agenser 05/29/2025 Gratuitous violence nothing more. See more Nad B @RT31875590 05/27/2025 Wonderful to watch See more g J @g.username 03/15/2024 The opening credits and first act are AMAZING. This introduction reminded me of Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds but set in Francoist Spain. I wanted that! Then there is a massive bait and switch, as the film abruptly shifts to a bunch of unlikeable and boring characters in the 1970's that are irrelevent to the montage of 40's and 50's culture we had in the opening credits. From here on in it's like a really bad Rob Zombie movie without the charm. See more nefasto r @Nefasto 09/24/2018 Psychotic and dreamy. See more 12/25/2016 While this film is not for a average film goer, you cannot deny the talent from acting,direction,cinematography,and make up design. This film is absolutly insane and unique. It's a love story with hints of war,horror and dread. If you are a film lover this is a must. This is a forgotten masterpiece and needs more attention See more 04/22/2016 It is uneven, however, the crazy nature of the film and the interesting visuals, make this a fascinating watch. The more you think about the film afterwards, the more effective it becomes. Jack. See more Read all reviews
The Last Circus

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Cast & Crew

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Alex de la Iglesia

Director

Carlos Areces

Javier

Antonio de la Torre

Sergio

Carolina Bang

Natalia

Enrique Villén

Andrés

Raúl Arévalo

Carlos

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The Last Circus

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The Last Circus

The Last Circus (2010) Carlos Areces as Javier in "The Last Circus." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A twisted love triangle develops among a Spanish clown (Carlos Areces), his cruel rival (Antonio de la Torre) and the rival's abused -- but lustful -- wife (Carolina Bang).
Director
Alex de la Iglesia
Producer
Vérane Frédiani, Gerardo Herrero, Franck Ribière
Screenwriter
Alex de la Iglesia
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Tornasol Films S.A.
Rating
R (Brutal Violence Throughout|Bloody Violence Throughout|Language|Nudity|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, War
Original Language
European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 12, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 19, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$40.0K
Runtime
1h 47m
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