Mister Lonely (2008)
Harmony Korine's dreamlike arthouse film about identity, loneliness, and a commune of celebrity impersonators in the Scottish Highlands.
Mister Lonely - Movie Information
- Original Title: Mister Lonely
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Harmony Korine
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: French, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 2, 2008 (Japan), March 14, 2008 (United Kingdom), December 17, 2008 (France), May 29, 2009 (Mexico)
- Alternative Titles: Містер Самотність (UA), 미스터 론리 (KR), Мистер Одиночество (RU), Pan Samotny (PL), ミスター・ロンリー (JP), Imitátorok (HU), Mr. Lonely (US)
- Production Companies: Agnès B. Productions, O' Salvation, Recorded Picture Company, Love Streams Productions, ARTE France Cinéma, Dreamachine, Film4 Productions, GAGA Communications, O'South, Metropolitan Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, France, Ireland, United States of America, Japan
Mister Lonely - Plot
In Paris, a young American working as a Michael Jackson lookalike meets Marilyn Monroe, who invites him to her commune in Scotland, where she lives with Charlie Chaplin and her daughter, Shirley Temple.
Mister Lonely - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for Korine's singular, dreamlike vision:
You are whoever you want to be.
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Mister Lonely - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Harmony Korine
Main Cast
- Diego Luna
- Samantha Morton
- Denis Lavant
- James Fox
- Werner Herzog
- Leos Carax
- Richard Strange
- Jason Pennycooke
- Anita Pallenberg
- Rachel Anna Simon
Writers
- Avi Korine
- Harmony Korine
Producers
- Adam Bohling
- Richard Mansell
- Nadja Romain
- Charles-Marie Anthonioz
- Harmony Korine
Mister Lonely - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Mister Lonely?
The film stars Diego Luna as a Michael Jackson impersonator and Samantha Morton as Marilyn Monroe. Denis Lavant plays Charlie Chaplin, James Fox appears as The Pope, and Werner Herzog — the legendary director — takes on the role of Father Umbrillo. It's a wonderfully eclectic cast.
What is Mister Lonely about?
Mister Lonely follows a lonely Michael Jackson lookalike living in Paris who meets a woman performing as Marilyn Monroe. She invites him to a remote commune in Scotland populated entirely by celebrity impersonators — from Charlie Chaplin to Abraham Lincoln. It's a poetic, melancholy meditation on identity, loneliness, and the desire to be someone else.
Why does the commune in Mister Lonely only have impersonators?
The commune serves as a kind of utopian refuge where people who have fully embraced alternate identities can live together free from judgment. Korine uses it as a metaphor for escapism and the human longing to shed one's true self — each resident has essentially replaced their real identity with an iconic persona.
What does the skydiving subplot mean in Mister Lonely?
The parallel storyline featuring Werner Herzog as a priest whose nuns survive miraculous falls from planes functions as a surreal counterpoint to the commune narrative. It explores themes of faith, fate, and the inexplicable — suggesting that grace and survival can be random, absurd gifts, echoing the film's broader dreamlike philosophy.
Who directed Mister Lonely and what is his style?
Harmony Korine directed Mister Lonely. Known for unconventional, visually poetic filmmaking — including Gummo and Kids — Korine brings a fragmented, impressionistic style to this film. It's lyrical and strange, prioritizing mood and imagery over conventional narrative, making it one of his most visually ambitious and emotionally tender works.
Where was Mister Lonely filmed?
Mister Lonely was filmed across several striking locations. The Paris sequences capture the city's romantic yet isolating atmosphere, while the commune scenes were shot in the Scottish Highlands, lending the film a lush, otherworldly quality. Additional footage was captured in Panama for the skydiving subplot involving Werner Herzog's character.
Where can I stream Mister Lonely?
You can stream Mister Lonely on several platforms, including AMC+, Philo, Sundance Now, and MUBI. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. The Roku Channel offers it with ads, and Kanopy provides free access. Availability may vary by region.
How was Mister Lonely received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed but respectful. Many praised the film's visual beauty — shot by cinematographer Marcel Zyskind — and the committed performances of Diego Luna and Samantha Morton. Some found its deliberately slow, dreamlike pace challenging, but admirers celebrated it as a genuinely original and emotionally resonant piece of arthouse cinema.
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