Despair (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1978, Despair is a thriller and drama film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, running about 117 minutes. “A hysterical comedy” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Berlin, 1930, during the rise of Nazism. Hermann Hermann, a Russian emigrant and chocolate manufacturer, married to the capricious Lydia, loses his temper more and more every day when dealing with his workers and other businessmen; until he meets Felix, a vagrant, who seems to be physically identical to him; a disconcerting fact that leads Hermann Hermann to plot a particular way out of a fake world he actually hates.
Who’s in it. Despair stars Dirk Bogarde as Hermann Hermann, Andréa Ferréol as Lydia Hermann, Klaus Löwitsch as Felix Weber and Volker Spengler as Ardalion, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Despair has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Despair page.
If you liked it. Fans of Despair tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Despair (1978)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Despair change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Despair worth watching?
- Despair holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Despair?
- Despair stars Dirk Bogarde, Andréa Ferréol, Klaus Löwitsch, Volker Spengler and Peter Kern.
- When was Despair released?
- Despair was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 117 minutes.