The Magician

The Magician

1958 · 102 min · SV · NR · 7.3 (251 votes)
Dir. Ingmar Bergman · Starring Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Naima Wifstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Bibi Andersson · Music Erik Nordgren
Drama

A traveling magician and his troupe arrive in a Swedish town in the 1840s, where their act is scrutinized by local authorities and a skeptical medical official. Their stay leads to a series of confrontations that test the boundaries between performance, belief, and deception.

VIBE

A chilling, dreamlike descent into doubt. The line between performer and charlatan blurs, leaving you questioning what's real. It’s a masterclass in psychological unease, wrapped in stark, beautiful black and white.

unsettlingmysteriousparanoidenigmaticsurrealslow-burnIngmar Bergmanarthousepsychological dramablack and whitereality vs fantasydeceptionparanoiaartifice
▶ Stream on Kanopy, Criterion Channel
dual identitymagicparanoiaparanormal phenomenawitchcraftreality vs fantasystruggling artistscam artistdisguisessocial allegory
MORE LIKE THIS — multi-vector + why, diversified
Persona
Persona
1966
8.1 · 2,508 votes
Drama
Fans also watchAlso by Ingmar BergmanStars Bibi Andersson
The Passion of Anna
The Passion of Anna
1969
7.4 · 207 votes
Drama
Fans also watchAlso by Ingmar BergmanStars Max von Sydow
The Magician
The Magician
1926
6.1 · 31 votes
DramaHorrorFantasy
Both unsettling
The Rite
The Rite
1969
6.9 · 97 votes
TV MovieDrama
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Ingrid ThulinBoth unsettling
The Seventh Seal
The Seventh Seal
1957
8.1 · 3,490 votes
FantasyDrama
Also by Ingmar BergmanScored by Erik NordgrenStars Gunnar Björnstrand
Stage Fright
Stage Fright
1950
6.8 · 380 votes
Thriller
Both black and white
In the Presence of a Clown
In the Presence of a Clown
1998
7.0 · 33 votes
DramaTV Movie
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Erland JosephsonBoth unsettling
The Virgin Spring
The Virgin Spring
1960
7.8 · 695 votes
DramaHistory
Also by Ingmar BergmanScored by Erik NordgrenStars Max von Sydow
The Touch
The Touch
1971
5.9 · 62 votes
DramaRomance
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Bibi Andersson
Wild Strawberries
Wild Strawberries
1957
8.1 · 1,872 votes
Drama
Also by Ingmar BergmanScored by Erik NordgrenStars Bibi Andersson
The Ghoul
The Ghoul
2017
6.0 · 51 votes
DramaThriller
Fans also watchBoth unsettling
Requiem
Requiem
2006
6.6 · 127 votes
Drama
Fans also watchBoth unsettling
Sawdust and Tinsel
Sawdust and Tinsel
1953
7.3 · 163 votes
Drama
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Gunnar BjörnstrandBoth unsettling
The Silence
The Silence
1963
7.5 · 412 votes
DramaRomance
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Ingrid ThulinBoth unsettling
The Conversation
The Conversation
1974
7.5 · 2,143 votes
CrimeDramaMystery
Fans also watchBoth paranoid
F for Fake
F for Fake
1973
7.4 · 382 votes
Documentary
Both unsettling
Dreams
Dreams
1955
7.0 · 85 votes
DramaRomance
Also by Ingmar BergmanStars Gunnar Björnstrand
Prospero's Books
Prospero's Books
1991
6.8 · 106 votes
DramaFantasy
Fans also watchStars Erland JosephsonBoth surreal