Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

2006 • 147 minutes

About this movie

Director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) has turned this best-selling novel into "a visceral thriller" that's "deeply, lushly, delightfully sinister." (Christy Lemire, Associated Press). With Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman headlining an all-star cast, Perfume tells the story of a French peasant blessed and cursed with a sense of smell so keen it is his primary experience of the world. But when first aroused by a young woman's scent, his desire to forever capture her essence quickly mutates into a dark and deadly erotic compulsion. The terror and tension mount with each beautiful victim in this spellbinding tale that culminates in a finale as unexpected as it is unforgettable.

Ratings and reviews

This movie is perf for that special someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry and is ready to sit and watch a film made up of A's. Beautifully everything, the flick incessantly engages the viewer with provoking thoughts, winding it's way through the life of an alarmingly charming and eerie character who you won't admit to, but actually find, that he'd be an interesting fellow to speak with. For real tho, top notch performances; you will not be disappointed!

A faithful adaptation of a very unique and brilliantly written book. I first encountered Perfume as a novel and movie in a graduate film theory class that dealt with cinematic interpretations of non-visual senses. Read the book, watch the film, and seriously open your mind to how difficult it is to translate smells visually. Tykwer achieved that in spades. Appreciate the subtext and the technique; God forbid moviegoers should have to be engaged beyond the superficial.

one of the best killers movies ever, when i finished reading the novel in first place and i know they're done making a movie of it i said to myself they will not make it good, they will ruin it, they can't bring out the scene of "john olfactory sensory to the screen brilliantly" but when i saw it, it amazed me so well.