Blindness (2008)
Fernando Meirelles's harrowing epidemic thriller imagines civilization unraveling when an entire city is struck suddenly and inexplicably blind.
Blindness - Movie Information
- Original Title: Blindness
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Fernando Meirelles
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 1m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 14, 2008 (Sweden - Från 15 år), October 3, 2008 (United States - R), October 23, 2008 (Germany - 12), October 8, 2008 (France), September 12, 2008 (Brazil - 16), March 13, 2009 (Spain - 18), November 20, 2008 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Cegueira (US), Слепота (RU), Bílá tma (CZ), 눈먼자들의 도시 (KR), Korluq (AZ), Ceguera (UY), L'aveuglement (CA)
- Production Companies: Alliance Films, 20th Century Fox Brazil, GAGA Communications, Asmik Ace Entertainment, Mikado Film, Independent Film Fund/CINV, Téléfilm Canada, Agência Nacional do Cinema - ANCINE, Potboiler Productions, Rhombus Media
- Production Countries: Brazil, Canada, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom
Blindness - Plot
When a sudden plague of blindness devastates a city, a small group of the afflicted band together to triumphantly overcome the horrific conditions of their imposed quarantine.
Blindness - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the epidemic unfold:
Your vision of the world will change forever.
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Blindness - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Fernando Meirelles
Main Cast
- Julianne Moore
- Mark Ruffalo
- Danny Glover
- Gael García Bernal
- Maury Chaykin
- Alice Braga
- Don McKellar
- Sandra Oh
- Yūsuke Iseya
- Yoshino Kimura
Writers
- Don McKellar
Producers
- Andrea Barata Ribeiro
- Bel Berlinck
- Sonoko Sakai
- Claudia Büschel
- Austin Wong
Blindness - FAQs
What is Blindness about?
Blindness follows a city gripped by a sudden epidemic of unexplained sightlessness. As the afflicted are herded into a makeshift quarantine, social order collapses and humanity's darkest instincts emerge. One woman, mysteriously immune, guides a small group through the chaos in a desperate bid for survival and dignity.
Why does the Doctor's Wife pretend to be blind?
Julianne Moore's character chooses to feign blindness so she can stay with her husband and protect him. Her sight becomes both a burden and a lifeline — she witnesses horrors the others cannot see, shouldering the weight of the group's survival while concealing her immunity from the authorities.
Where can you stream or watch Blindness?
Blindness is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. You can also watch it for free through Kanopy and Hoopla, which are accessible via many public library memberships.
Is Blindness based on a book?
Yes, the film is adapted from José Saramago's acclaimed 1995 novel Ensaio sobre a Cegueira (Essay on Blindness). The Nobel Prize-winning Portuguese author's book is widely regarded as a modern classic, and screenwriter Don McKellar translated its allegorical vision of societal collapse for the screen.
Who are the main actors in Blindness?
The film features a stellar ensemble led by Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo as an unnamed doctor and his wife. They're joined by Gael García Bernal as a menacing ward boss, Danny Glover, Alice Braga, Sandra Oh, and Don McKellar, who also wrote the screenplay.
What does the ending of Blindness mean?
The ending, in which sight is gradually restored, functions as a cautious note of hope rather than a triumphant resolution. Meirelles and Saramago suggest that humanity can rebuild — but the film leaves open whether people have truly learned from the moral collapse they experienced during the epidemic.
How was Blindness received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Many praised Fernando Meirelles's visceral direction and Julianne Moore's committed performance, while others felt the film's relentless bleakness overwhelmed its allegorical ambitions. It premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, which underscored its artistic ambitions.
What is the age rating for Blindness?
Blindness is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's intense and disturbing content, including scenes of violence, sexual assault, and graphic depictions of societal breakdown. It's a challenging watch intended for mature audiences.
More About Blindness
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