Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Hunger

  • 1983
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
31K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,874
1,666
Susan Sarandon, David Bowie, and Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger (1983)
Theatrical Trailer from MGM/UA
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
99+ Photos
Supernatural HorrorVampire HorrorDramaHorror

A love triangle develops between a vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist.A love triangle develops between a vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist.A love triangle develops between a vampire, her cellist companion, and a gerontologist.

  • Director
    • Tony Scott
  • Writers
    • James Costigan
    • Michael Thomas
    • Whitley Strieber
  • Stars
    • Catherine Deneuve
    • David Bowie
    • Susan Sarandon
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    31K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,874
    1,666
    • Director
      • Tony Scott
    • Writers
      • James Costigan
      • Michael Thomas
      • Whitley Strieber
    • Stars
      • Catherine Deneuve
      • David Bowie
      • Susan Sarandon
    • 186User reviews
    • 106Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Hunger
    Trailer 1:56
    The Hunger

    Photos275

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 269
    View Poster

    Top cast38

    Edit
    Catherine Deneuve
    Catherine Deneuve
    • Miriam Blaylock
    David Bowie
    David Bowie
    • John Blaylock
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Sarah Roberts
    Cliff De Young
    Cliff De Young
    • Tom Haver
    Beth Ehlers
    Beth Ehlers
    • Alice Cavender
    Dan Hedaya
    Dan Hedaya
    • Lieutenant Allegrezza
    Rufus Collins
    Rufus Collins
    • Charlie Humphries
    Suzanne Bertish
    Suzanne Bertish
    • Phyllis
    James Aubrey
    James Aubrey
    • Ron
    Ann Magnuson
    Ann Magnuson
    • Young Woman from Disco
    John Stephen Hill
    • Young Man from Disco
    Shane Rimmer
    Shane Rimmer
    • Arthur Jelinek
    Bauhaus
    Bauhaus
    • Disco Group
    Douglas Lambert
    • TV Host
    Bessie Love
    Bessie Love
    • Lillybelle
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • 1st Phone Booth Youth
    Willem Dafoe
    Willem Dafoe
    • 2nd Phone Booth Youth
    Sophie Ward
    Sophie Ward
    • Girl in London House
    • Director
      • Tony Scott
    • Writers
      • James Costigan
      • Michael Thomas
      • Whitley Strieber
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews186

    6.630.8K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    darth_sidious

    Interesting to watch

    A film with lots of style, beautifully shot, almost like a dream. This must be Tony Scott's best film to date, why do you ask? The director shows vision, not only in its visual medium but the editing, the music, the production design, the classical costumes and the chance to work with some talent.

    David Bowie is very good, almost perfect for his part and Catherine steals the whole film. Susan Sarandon is also very good, the infamous Lesbian scenes are highly erotic and also very artistic.

    This film isn't your usual Vamp movie, the film adds depth to these so-called Vampires.

    The film probably required a bit more plot but nevertheless, this is all about style, this film looks fantastic.

    Do not watch this in pan and scan, make sure you see it in widescreen because the director and cinematographer make full use of the panavision width.
    6ma-cortes

    Lush scenarios in a weird vampires story with three attractive protagonists

    The film talks about Catherine Deneuve ,she's a seductive vampire living along centuries with David Bowie.They need fresh blood for the eternal life .But Bowie is about to disintegrate and is substituted by a new lover,an enticing scientific-medic ,Susan Sarandon.

    The picture is a bizarre bloodsuckers film and for somebody considered with a cult movie's status.It displays luxurious scenarios,arty photography although mostly developed on interior studios.The French actress Catherine Deneuve,as always, is cold and elegant.David Bowie as young and older vampire in an exciting transformation is well.Susan Sarandon as an obstinate scientist is good.Features known secondary actors, Dan Hedaya as a Police Inspector and Cliff DeYoung as Sarandon's lover. Besides future famous actors in small roles, almost extras, as Willem Dafoe,Anne Magnuson,John Pankow and English actors as Sophie Ward and Philip Sayer.The creepy sequences by stop motion referred to an aging monkey are made by Dave Allen.Splendid cinematography reflecting luxuriously sets and scenarios by Stephen Goldblatt.Stylish,elegant costumes by the expert Milena Canonero and wardrobe department and gowns of Catherine Deneuve by the famous French fashion designer Ives Saint-Laurent. The movie is classified by the MPAA with the rating R for blood,violence,gore and kinky nudism.The motion picture is well realized by Tony Scott though a little slow-moving and quite boring.He's nowadays much success and getting high box-office with hits like : ¨Crimson tide, Enemy of state,Spy game,Man of fire and Deja Vu¨ and founded along with his brother Ridley, ¨Scott-Free Production¨.
    fedor8

    Vampire films are so very boring - but not this one.

    Vastly underrated, but it's easily the best vampire film. Seems to be regarded as some kind of a trashy lesbian story, with a little bit of horror and gore thrown in for good measure; well, that's nonsense. These critics would have us believe that some silly Dracula film from the 30s is a masterpiece while this original approach to vampirism is a cheap, exploitative, erotic tale. The film is visually terrific, very atmospheric, has a good cast (Sarandon is excellent), and a superb soundtrack. Sarandon and Deneuve naked in bed is not exactly a deterrent, either. The last scene - a combination of visuals and music, is the absolute highlight of the film. If you'd like to read my parody/biography of Susan Sarandon (and other Hollywood intellectuals), contact me by e-mail.
    8HumanoidOfFlesh

    Stylish vampire flick.

    "The Hunger"(1983)by Tony Scott is a stylish vampire flick filled with some wonderful visuals.The film is excellently acted-a stunningly beautiful Catherine Deneuve is truly memorable as Miriam-an ageless vampire and former Egyptian queen.There is plenty of blood and vampire lesbian sex,so everyone who is into horror films or Goth music should see this cult flick.The opening scene with Bauhaus playing "Bela Lugosi is Dead" is priceless!
    9Oggz

    Totally Eighties

    Before embarking onto this one, you must decide whether or not you enjoy films which look like a very extended (and quite expensive) MTV video clip of the early to mid 80's. If you don't, don't bother with this, it'll probably annoy you greatly. If you do, you're in for an indulgent visual ride and great entertainment, because every frame in Tony Scott's cult classic is carefully planned, beautifully orchestrated and wonderfully filmed - from the iconic opening sequence through to the heavily filtered last shot, it's polished until it gleams. Production design is given full reign and is faultless - the sets, lighting and costumes work fabulously with the soundtrack and the editing, creating a very recognisable style which is a genuine product of the trend aesthetics of the decade in question. And there's an added bonus of knowing use of music - this being the film that "relaunched" the Delibes' Lakme aria, paving the way for it becoming a monster classipop hit it is today. The film also employs Ravel at his most frozenly emotional,and, to stunning effect, Deneuve at arguably her most frozenly beautiful. One of those films remembered for perfectly encapsulating the visual style of its times.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Near Dark
    6.9
    Near Dark
    The Keep
    5.7
    The Keep
    Wolfen
    6.3
    Wolfen
    Cat People
    6.2
    Cat People
    Shadow of the Vampire
    6.9
    Shadow of the Vampire
    The Man Who Fell to Earth
    6.6
    The Man Who Fell to Earth
    The Addiction
    6.5
    The Addiction
    Daughters of Darkness
    6.5
    Daughters of Darkness
    The Vampire Lovers
    6.4
    The Vampire Lovers
    Dracula
    7.4
    Dracula
    The Hunger
    6.2
    The Hunger
    Altered States
    6.9
    Altered States

    Related interests

    Daveigh Chase in The Ring (2002)
    Supernatural Horror
    Tom Cruise and Indra Ové in Interview with the Vampire (1994)
    Vampire Horror
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David Bowie actually learned to play the cello for his music scenes.
    • Goofs
      When Sarah is on the TV program discussing the condition Progeria, she pronounces it "Pra-j-eriah'. The correct pronunciation is "Pro-geria."
    • Quotes

      Sarah Roberts: What's that piece you're playing?

      Miriam Blaylock: It's "Lakme" by Delibes. Lakme is a Brahmin princess in India, she has a slave named Malika.

      Sarah Roberts: Malika...

      Miriam Blaylock: In a magical garden they sing how they follow the stream to its source, gliding over the water.

      Sarah Roberts: Is it a love song?

      Miriam Blaylock: I told you, it was sung by two women.

      Sarah Roberts: It sounds like a love song.

      Miriam Blaylock: Then I suppose that's what it is.

      Sarah Roberts: Are you making a pass at me, Mrs. Blaylock?

      Miriam Blaylock: Miriam.

      Sarah Roberts: Miriam.

      Miriam Blaylock: Not that I'm aware of, Sarah.

      [Sarah smiles, shakes her head, and then spills wine on her top]

    • Crazy credits
      Ironically, in the credits Willem Dafoe is identified as "2nd Phone Booth Youth"; whereas, he is the first "Phone Booth Youth" to be seen and speak in the Phone Booth scene. Likewise, John Pankow is noted in the credits as "1st Phone Booth Youth"; whereas, he is actually the second "Phone Booth Youth" to be seen and say his lines.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Adult Sexuality (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Le Gibet
      by Maurice Ravel

      Published by Arima and Durand SA

      Music Supervised and Arranged by Howard Blake

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ23

    • How long is The Hunger?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'The Hunger' about?
    • Is "The Hunger" based on a book?
    • Is "progeria" a real disease?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 29, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El ansia
    • Filming locations
      • 6 Chesterfield Gardens, London, England, UK(Miriam & John Blaylock's house)
    • Production company
      • Peerford
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,979,292
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,832,898
      • May 1, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,991,807
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37m(97 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.