Despair
Despair Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: Despair
| Movie | Despair |
| Release Year | 1978 |
| Director | Rainer Werner Fassbinder |
| Genre | Drama / Thriller |
| Runtime | 117 minutes (1h 57m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Despair (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Despair are led by Dirk Bogarde . The supporting cast, including Andréa Ferréol and Klaus Löwitsch , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Despair stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Despair has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Despair
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1978, Despair is a Drama, Thriller film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, written by Tom Stoppard. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Dirk Bogarde as Hermann Hermann.
Ending Explained: Despair
Despair Ending Explained: Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Despair wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Dirk Bogarde. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Despair reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Despair?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Dirk Bogarde or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Despair
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Despair Budget
The estimated production budget for Despair is $2.6M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Despair Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about Despair age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Despair (1978) is 117 minutes (1h 57m). Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, the film runs for 117 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Despair is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Despair worth watching?
Despair is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Despair parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Despair identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Despair (1978)?
The runtime of Despair (1978) is 117 minutes (approximately 1h 57m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
