The Five Obstructions

  • 2003
  • Not Rated
  • 90m
movieMx RATING
6.9/10168
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Five Obstructions Review

Last updated: February 27, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 27, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Five Obstructions (2003) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Five Obstructions features a noteworthy lineup led by Jørgen Leth . Supported by the likes of Lars von Trier and Claus Nissen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Five Obstructions (2003) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Five Obstructions stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Five Obstructions

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2003, The Five Obstructions is a Documentary film directed by Lars von Trier. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jørgen Leth.

Ending Explained: The Five Obstructions

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Lars von Trier, The Five Obstructions concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to documentary resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Jørgen Leth, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Five Obstructions reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Five Obstructions?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Documentaries films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Jørgen Leth or the director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Five Obstructions

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $279.0K
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT
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Top Cast: The Five Obstructions

All Cast & Crew →
Jørgen Leth
Jørgen LethVoice-over (from Det perfekte menneske) / Self - Director / +
Lars von Trier
Lars von TrierSelf / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")
Claus Nissen
Claus NissenThe Perfect Man (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)
Majken Algren Nielsen
Majken Algren NielsenThe Perfect Woman (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)
Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez
Daniel Hernandez RodriguezThe Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")
Jacqueline Arenal
Jacqueline ArenalThe Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")
Vivian Rosa
Vivian Rosa(segment "Cuba")
Patrick Bauchau
Patrick BauchauThe Perfect Man / Voice-over (Brussels) / Speaker (Cartoon)
Alexandra Vandernoot
Alexandra VandernootThe Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")
Marie Dejaer
Marie DejaerMaid (segment "Brussels")
Pascal Perez
Pascal PerezCouple (Man) (segment "Brussels")
Meschell Perez
Meschell PerezCouple (Woman) (segment "Brussels")
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Where to Watch The Five Obstructions Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Five Obstructions Parents Guide & Age Rating

2003 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Five Obstructions age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Five Obstructions has not been officially rated yet.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Five Obstructions is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Five Obstructions is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2003 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Five Obstructions. Rating: 6.9/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Five Obstructions worth watching?

The Five Obstructions is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Five Obstructions parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Five Obstructions identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Five Obstructions?

The total duration of The Five Obstructions is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.

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How The Five Obstructions Compares & Where it Ranks

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🛡️

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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.9
The Five Obstructions
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