Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

92% Tomatometer 253 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings

Set against the backdrop of the 1950s Cold War in Poland, two people of differing backgrounds and temperaments begin an almost impossible romance.

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Cold War

Cold War

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Critics Consensus

With a brilliantly stark visual aesthetic to match its lean narrative, Cold War doesn't waste a moment of its brief running time -- and doesn't skimp on its bittersweet emotional impact.

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Critics Reviews

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Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Amy Nicholson FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) Incredibly sexy. It's nice to see a movie that's actually about passion. Sep 13, 2019 Full Review Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Udita Jhunjhunwala Firstpost With changing geography and passage of time, the soundtrack shifts from Polish folk to French jazz to rock 'n' roll. This is one of the highlights of Pawlikowski's homage. Rated: 3/5 Mar 14, 2019 Full Review Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Adam Graham Detroit News "Cold War" captivates and transcends barriers of language and culture. It's a gorgeous tale as rocky as it is romantic. Rated: A- Feb 1, 2019 Full Review Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) As the romance gradually evolves, so too does our captive investment in its provocative story and stylish nature. Rated: 5/5 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Greg Carlson Vague Visages Another stunning work of perfectly placed ellipses and calculated restraint, Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War is a film filled with images as iconic and austere as its blunt title. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Two fine lead performances drive the central relationship which is filled with intense passion but also missed opportunities at every turn. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Liam D Coming at a brisk 84 minutes this Oscar nomination drama is an unique romance that has great performances and beautiful cinematography Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/17/24 Full Review Sasha W The acting was terrific but the plot is sooooo frustrating to watch. I was bored the entire time. Literally NOTHING happens in this entire movie. I wasted $7 on a prime rental and I can’t get that 2 hours of my life back. No back story. Nothing exciting. I was rolling my eyes the entire time. I don’t understand why this movie is so highly rated. My boyfriend is a history buff and he didn’t enjoy it either. Soooooo slooooooow. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Dani G Very musical and tragic story about two lovers destined to each other, but in that frame of comunist Europe you know it's not going to be easy. Simple and sober storytelling from Pawlikowski, as most of its fimography Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review Joaquin F Visually and musically captivating, emotionally complex and subtle, provides an interesting glimpse of life under communism Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/22/23 Full Review Coco M A touching story of love in some unfortunate times can make even a grown man cry. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/24/23 Full Review Noel P A masterpiece. It reminds me of the realism of the French films in the 60's and 70's I admire so much. The love story is quiet, patient, and sincere. The film treats you like an adult and allows you to figure out the context of what is happening based on the talent of the actors, whether it be by a look, a smile, etc. Beautifully shot, and I hope to see more black and white films in mainstream movie making. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Paweł Pawlikowski Director Joanna Kulig Zula Lichoń Tomasz Kot Wiktor Warski Agata Kulesza Irena Bielecka Borys Szyc Lech Kaczmarek Adam Woronowicz Consul
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Cold War

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Cold War

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Synopsis Set against the backdrop of the 1950s Cold War in Poland, two people of differing backgrounds and temperaments begin an almost impossible romance.

Director
Paweł Pawlikowski

Producer
Tanya Seghatchian, Ewa Puszczyńska

Screenwriter
Paweł Pawlikowski, Janusz Głowacki, Piotr Borkowski

Distributor
Amazon Studios

Production Co
Film4, Opus Film, MK2 Films, Polish Film Institute, British Film Institute

Rating
R (Nudity|Language|Some Sexual Content)

Genre
Romance, Drama

Original Language
Polish

Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 2018, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 31, 2019

Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.6M

Runtime
1h 28m

Sound Mix
Digital 5.1

Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1)
Most Popular at Home Now
Cold War (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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