Verdict:The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 7.3/10, it has delivered a compelling experience for fans of the Crime, Drama genre.
Answer: Yes, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 124 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Last updated: January 10, 2026
Released in 1989, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover enters the Crime genre with a narrative focused on The wife of an abusive criminal finds solace in the arms of a kind regular guest in her husband's restaurant. Under the direction of Peter Greenaway, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren. The chemistry between the leads drives the emotional core of the movie, making the stakes feel genuine.
From a technical standpoint, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. While the 4K mastering highlights the production value, the pacing during its 124-minute runtime can feel deliberate.
Beyond the narrative, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover resonates with current cultural themes in the Crime space. It effectively mirrors local sentiment while maintaining a global appeal, a rare feat in recent releases.
As of January 2026, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
The plot of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover centers on a unique premise within the Crime landscape. The wife of an abusive criminal finds solace in the arms of a kind regular guest in her husband's restaurant. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1989 cinema will find satisfying and robust.
The ending of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the triumph of the protagonist over internal conflicts. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989): with an audience rating of 7.3/10, the reception has been generally positive. It is a must-watch for fans of Crime, Drama cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2,300,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $7,724,701 |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The estimated production budget for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is $2,300,000. 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.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.3/10, and global collection metrics, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1989 cinematic year.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.3/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Crime, Drama movies.
Yes, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Crime, Drama cinema.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a Crime, Drama movie that The wife of an abusive criminal finds solace in the arms of a kind regular guest in her husband's restaurant....
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.3/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Crime, Drama movies.
Yes, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Crime, Drama cinema.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a Crime, Drama movie that The wife of an abusive criminal finds solace in the arms of a kind regular guest in her husband's restaurant....
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover may not be suitable for all family members as it contains Crime, Drama elements. Parental guidance is recommended.
You can find streaming options and availability for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
The runtime and duration of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Having previously watched Greenaway's 'Prospero's Books', basically from the same era, one definitely gets a sense of the auteur, of great visualizing prowess in the Welsh native. I adore watching Helen Mirren from ANY era, but particularly here, in between the young adulthood beauty she displayed in Michael Powell's 'Age of Consent', through the remarkably absurd and audacious 'Caligula', straight to the sophisticated and very dangerous gorgeousness displayed in 'The Comfort of Strangers'. It's great to see any dude who's mean to a beautiful woman get their comeuppance (particularly the wealthy--it offers a sort of 'wish fulfillment' for the 99% of us), and the climax here is one of cinema's most articulate presentation of that phenomenon. It definitely made me wish to see the rest of both Greenaway's movies and of Mirren's performances. Well worth the acquired taste necessary for this sort of delicacy.
