Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

“This is a dark, dark, dark film, focused on an obsession so complete and lonely it shuts out all other human experience. You may not savor it, but you will not stop watching it, in horror and fascination.”

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times · 100

“Most horror movies try to show us the man inside the monster, so we'll empathize with his moral dilemmas or feel his suffering. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer shows us a man who is all monster, whose colossal amorality makes him a potential Messiah or menace to humanity.”

Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer · 88

“The film is downright repulsive in places, and otherwise pushes the envelope for an art film, but it's a dazzling piece of filmmaking that wins us over with its boldness and artistry.”

William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer · 83

“Whishaw's oddly charismatic performance makes the despicable Grenouille into an almost sympathetic antihero. The rather astonishing finale will likely have audiences either howling in derision or ardently dissecting afterward. And it must have given the bluenoses at the MPAA fits.”

Marc Mohan, Portland Oregonian · 83

“The odd conclusion renders it somewhat oblique, but Perfume is a feast for the senses.”

Dan Jolin, Empire · 80