Bullhead (2011)

83% of critics liked it
(46 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(1,551 ratings)

Domineering cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), constantly pumped on steroids and hormones, initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafioso meat trader. When an investigating federal agent is assassinated and a woman from his traumatic past resurfaces, Jacky must confront his… More Domineering cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), constantly pumped on steroids and hormones, initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafioso meat trader. When an investigating federal agent is assassinated and a woman from his traumatic past resurfaces, Jacky must confront his demons and face the far-reaching consequences of his decisions. -- (C) Drafthouse Films

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 4 min.
Directed By: Michael R. Roskam
Written By: Michael R. Roskam
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 17, 2012 Limited
On DVD: Jun 26, 2012
Studio: Drafthouse Films

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's one of those films you have to reconstruct in your mind.
Anthony Lane, New Yorker
Some of the dialogue is overloaded, but the formidable cinematography, by Nicolas Karakatsanis, envelops us in an ever-darkening world.
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
Many terms applied to action movies - muscular, animalistic, testosterone-fueled - are literally true of Bullhead.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Despite the unlikely setup, this Oscar-nominated thriller proves that where illegal substances are concerned, one line of trafficking is as deadly as another.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
[It] has enough strands of story for an epic tale. But Roskam appears more interested in trying to combine genres that don't easily cohere.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Bullhead proves that you can make an underworld movie pumped up with pretension.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
Roksam tends to spend too much time on the convoluted details of the world of illicit beef hormones, but he has an great character on which to focus the rest of the time.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Not a bad first time out the gate for director/scribe [Michael R.] Roskam, what with an Oscar nom and all.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
There's a lean, tough, streamlined film to be found here; the main problem is that Bullhead, just like its protagonist, is artificially bulked up until what's underneath is barely visible.
Brian Tallerico, HollywoodChicago.com
This dark, vicious film gets a bit muddled at times but the strength of its lead performance and a strong visual palette make it a stark but worthwhile trip.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a refreshing surprise to see a movie as genuinely messed up as Bullhead -- from Belgium -- nominated in this category.
Alonso Duralde, The Wrap
Even though the crime story winds up overwhelming the proceedings, it's the characters that make Bullhead so powerful and so unique.
Kurt Loder, Reason Online
Very much worth seeing for the great, smoldering performance of its star, Matthias Schoenaarts, playing a rural brute with a hideous affliction.
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
The film's final notes hint at a state of grace, perhaps, or at least of release. But there's a tautological determinism throughout that suggest otherwise.
Chris Bumbray, JoBlo's Movie Emporium
While it's maybe not the easiest film to watch, it's truly an unforgettable, astounding piece of work.
Brett Michel, Boston Phoenix
Schoenaerts makes the transformation convincing, recalling the similarly damaged individual that Tom Hardy played in Bronson.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
Despite a compelling lead performance, this Belgian Foreign-Language Oscar contender is something of a tedious slog.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
The feature debut of writer/director Michael R. Roskam showcases a breakout turn by Schoenaerts in a unique crime thriller whose central raging bull mirrors his own corrupted milieu.

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

A hypermasculine, steroid-shooting bull of a man seeks revenge for a boyhood wrong amidst the Belgian agrarian hormone trading underground. A well-plotted crime drama with a twist that makes you feel a strange sympathy for its intensely frightening protagonist.
Carlos M

Not really about the mafia of hormones as it is about a tormented man insecure about his masculinity - but the film's misled attempt to focus on both subjects makes it too complicated, with so many unnecessary scenes. Still, Schoenaerts is perfect as the fascinating protagonist.
Christopher H

Dark and gritty, Bullhead is a powerhouse of a drama. Coming from a viewer who has had it with the overuse of flashbacks in films, Bullhead finds a way of utilizing the technique in a much more pleasing fashion, blending the life of main character Jacky as a boy with his beefed-up… More
Dark and gritty, Bullhead is a powerhouse of a drama. Coming from a viewer who has had it with the overuse of flashbacks in films, Bullhead finds a way of utilizing the technique in a much more pleasing fashion, blending the life of main character Jacky as a boy with his beefed-up (pun intended) and steroid-laden older self. The shocking revelation of Jacky's past enriches this film with a depth that saves it from being just another mob-infringed thriller gone bad. Matthias Schoenaerts lands a role he was born for and reminds of Tom Hardy early in his career.
Daisy M

Bullhead was in the nominated films for Best Foreign Films for Oscar 2012. And even though Belgium don't have a rich history in film-making, it is sure one of the countries that often produced some original or unusual movies.And so was Bullhead, not only with its style but also… More
Bullhead was in the nominated films for Best Foreign Films for Oscar 2012. And even though Belgium don't have a rich history in film-making, it is sure one of the countries that often produced some original or unusual movies.And so was Bullhead, not only with its style but also the way it was shot and how the story developed.It definitely had its own style which was dark and featured plenty of crazy moments. A crime film of the Belgian hormone mafia. Not exactly the sort of thing you would first of.The story played out just as well as for a normal crime film involving drugs and money laundry, only this one was very effective and put you on the edge of your seat.The characters was what made this film very special, since they were not ordinary characters, you are normally see in crime films. These were just a bunch of rotten looking men, who were all far from perfect with a long and dark, dirty past. The main character Jacky hardly talked and was not a nice guy, due to the misuse of hormones throughout the years, even so he made me care and feel pity for his character. That was the films greatest strength. No matter how dirty and ugly the film turned it still made you feel involved and care for the characters in it. On a dramatic level the movie worked really well, it provided the film with some powerful moments.
Matt S

HIFF 31: I don't know what to make of this film. It's about black market meat and so much more. Decently acted, but I just couldn't get into the story.