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Control

Control

Drama · 2007

The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis, from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.

Movie details

Control

“He had the spirit, but lost the feeling.”

2007 Drama 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis, from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Control?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Faces

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In 1974, television reporter Christine Chubbuck struggles with depression and professional frustrations as she tries to advance her career.

You Don't Know Jack

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Controversy and legal problems follow Dr. Jack Kevorkian as he advocates assisted suicide.

Better Man

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Follow Robbie Williams' journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Drama · 1971

Recently divorced career woman Alex Greville begins a romantic relationship with glamorous mod artist Bob Elkin, fully aware that he's also intimately involved with middle-aged doctor Daniel Hirsh. For both Alex and Daniel, the younger man represents a break with their repressive pasts, and though both know that Bob is seeing both of them, neither is willing to let go of the youth and vitality he brings to their otherwise stable lives.

Light Sleeper

Light Sleeper

Drama · 1992

John LeTour is a recovering drug user who suffers insomnia and still deals to a high-end New York clientele, even though he’s trying to move on from the business. John’s professional midlife crisis becomes something more acute — and dangerous — when he re-encounters an old flame while a string of seemingly drug-related murders rocks the city.

Heaven Knows What

Heaven Knows What

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A young heroin addict roams the streets of New York to panhandle and get her next fix, while her unstable boyfriend drifts in and out of her life at random.

Bird

Bird

Drama · 1988

Saxophone player Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker comes to New York in 1940 and is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.

Maps to the Stars

Maps to the Stars

Drama · 2014

Driven by an intense need for fame and validation, members of a dysfunctional Hollywood family chase celebrity, one another, and the relentless ghosts of their pasts. Their fragile ecosystem is disrupted by the arrival of Agatha, the scarred and estranged pyromaniac daughter.

To Write Love on Her Arms

To Write Love on Her Arms

Drama · 2015

The story follows 19-year-old Renee who has always loved fairy tales: the idea of a princess, a hero and a happily ever after. But Renee’s life is that of a darker tale: she’s a young woman battling addiction, depression and self-injury. In a creative blend of artistic fantasy balanced with harsh reality, the movie follows Renee on her courageous journey towards recovery.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Anton Corbijn

Written by

Matt Greenhalgh

Sam Riley

Sam Riley

Ian Curtis

Samantha Morton

Samantha Morton

Debbie Curtis

Alexandra Maria Lara

Alexandra Maria Lara

Annik Honoré

Joe Anderson

Joe Anderson

Hooky

Toby Kebbell

Toby Kebbell

Rob Greton

Craig Parkinson

Craig Parkinson

Tony Wilson

James Anthony Pearson

James Anthony Pearson

Bernard Sumner

Court is in session

Put Control on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.