Delicatessen

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Delicatessen

R

1991

1h 38m

Sci-Fi

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

59 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long line of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.

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Critics Consensus

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet deftly combines horror, sci-fi, and humor in Delicatessen, a morbid comedy set in a visually ravishing futuristic dystopia.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

10/18/2023

All at once nightmarish cannibal horror and romantic comedy, good-natured fairytale, and hyper-stylised allegory of French wartime collaboration and resistance, this collective debut from Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet is dizzyingly difficult to pin down

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

11/21/2013

3.5/4

With its molelike inhabitants, its sprawling war between flesh-eaters and lentil-men, its achingly sweet love story and surrealist blend of dusty antiquities and 21st-century gizmos, Delicatessen is indescribably wild.

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Clifford Terry

Chicago Tribune

11/21/2013

3.5/4

All of this is handled in a breezy, off-handed, nutsy manner, as the superb cast combines to help bring it off.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

04/04/2025

3.5/4

While black comedies are often known for their cynicism, this one maintains an unorthodox esprit de corp.

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Iain Robertson

Starburst

10/16/2023

4/5

While the subject matter is bleak, Delicatessen is a charming, unique movie and a truly unique piece of cinema.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

12/12/2022

An existentialist fricassee of irresistible comedy. [Full review in Spanish]

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 1h

It was kind of confusing, and I lost sight of it toward the end. You can tell it's a French film. They all have that certain vibe. It was funny at times I guess. You can also tell its really well made.

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Oaklee D

@ODie63 6d

A oddly macabre, dystopian little world that has built which is also captivating and keeps you glued to the screen this little French film is one of a kind and I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. Definitely recommend.

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Thomas S

@RT53929595 Sep 25

Delicatessen propose un univers singulier et dystopique, à la fois immersif et soigneusement mis en scène. La réalisation crée une atmosphère visuelle forte, qui happe le spectateur dans un monde à part. Le film m’a rappelé Le Rapport de Brodeck, notamment dans sa manière d’évoquer l’hystérie collective et de laisser percevoir, en arrière-plan, le poids de la guerre.

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michael w

@RT07629897 05/27/2025

Besides that the movie is fantastically quirky as a whole, there are several scenes which are perfectly crafted while one really stands out: moooo -beeeaaa :-)

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Maeve H

@RT03120375 02/14/2025

If you only watch one movie in your whole life, it has to be Delicatessen.

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Fer S

@RT07531533 01/17/2025

Great movie! Very unique. Great casting, acting and fantastic sets. They must have been a real mess to clean up.

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Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Director

Marc Caro

Director

Dominique Pinon

Louison

Marie-Laure Dougnac

Julie Clapet

Jean-Claude Dreyfus

Clapet

Rufus

Robert Kube

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Synopsis

Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long line of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
Producer: Claudie Ossard
Screenwriter: Gilles Adrien, Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Fondation GAN pour le Cinéma, Miramax, Hachette Première, Constellation, Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC)
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1992
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m

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