Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
How did we end up here?
A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 17 October 2014 |
| Genre | Drama, Comedy |
| Director | Alejandro G. Iñárritu |
| Starring | Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Zach Galifianakis |
| Runtime | 120 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | Robbie Collin 5/5 · Christy Lemire 4/4 · Michael Phillips 3/4 · Rotten Tomatoes (average) 8.5/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 91% · Metacritic 87/100 · IMDb 7.7/10 · TMDB users 7.4/10 |
| Budget | $18 million |
| Box office | $103 million worldwide |
Where to watch Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
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What kind of watch this is
Alejandro G. Iñárritu directs this 120-minute drama and comedy about a former superhero actor chasing a Broadway comeback. Michael Keaton plays the role, with Emma Stone and Zach Galifianakis alongside him. The film runs for exactly 2 hours. It treats the absurdity of fame with a dry, unblinking eye. The tagline asks how we ended up here, which is the right question.
What the critics said
Critics treated this as a technical marvel with a soul. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 91% approval rating as of November 2022. Metacritic gave it 87 out of 100 as of June 2025. That is high praise, but not blind worship. Robbie Collin awarded 5/5, while Michael Phillips settled for 3/4. The consensus highlights the ambition. Richard Kolker noted the hidden edits create a rhythmic slide. It is a film about identity, filmed to look like a single breath.
How it did with audiences
It cost $18 million and took $103 million worldwide. In Hollywood, that is a solid profit. In most other industries, it is just a business that worked. On TMDB, users rate it 7.4 out of 10. IMDb users, as of May 2026, give it a weighted average of 7.7/10.
Awards
At the 87th Academy Awards, the film took home 4 Oscars. Alejandro González Iñárritu won for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Emmanuel Lubezki took Best Cinematography. The film also secured the AACTA International Award for Best Film, the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film, and the Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film. It added the Independent Spirit Award for Best Film, the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Film, and the Satellite Award for Best Film to the tally. The National Board of Review placed it in its Top Ten Films. That is 11 wins.
What came next for the cast
Michael Keaton went from Batman to Spotlight. Emma Stone moved from Zombieland to La La Land. Zach Galifianakis traded Hangover chaos for Only Murders in the Building. Edward Norton slid from Fight Club to Glass Onion. These are the credits that followed. They do not prove Birdman changed them. They just show what came next.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
Sources
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q13255497 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Birdman (film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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