The Lobster (2015)
Kernel Score: 79% · 6,775 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Released: 2015-10-15
Runtime: 119 minutes
Is The Lobster worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A deadpan dystopian romance where singles must find a partner or become animals. It's original and often very funny, but it's cold, odd and deliberately awkward, so it won't suit everyone.
Watch it if you
- like absurd, dark comedy
- enjoy strange, original ideas
- don't need warm characters
Skip it if you
- want a conventional romance
- dislike deadpan, bleak humor
Best for: Brave date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Lobster
- Stream: HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into animals and sent off into The Woods.
The Lobster parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Lobster is a dark, R-rated dystopian satire involving suicide, violence toward animals, and disturbing themes.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes a suicide attempt, animal shooting, and a manhunt with disturbing imagery.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Romantic and sexual themes are present as part of the dystopian premise about forced pairing.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Lobster
If you liked The Lobster, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) — 77%: Same director, with the same flat, unsettling tone.
- Poor Things (2023) — 85%: Bizarre, darkly funny fable of a strange world.
- The Favourite (2018) — 83%: Cruel, funny period comedy from the same director.
- Dogtooth (2009) — 78%: Cold, odd story about a family living by absurd rules.
- Bugonia (2025) — 83%: Weird, darkly comic story about obsession and belief.
- Swiss Army Man (2016) — 75%: Offbeat comedy-drama that gets strange fast.
Director
Cast
- Colin Farrell as David
- Rachel Weisz as Short Sighted Woman
- Olivia Colman as Hotel Manager
- Léa Seydoux as Loner Leader
- Michael Smiley as Loner Swimmer
- Ariane Labed as The Maid
- John C. Reilly as Lisping Man
- Ben Whishaw as Limping Man
- Angeliki Papoulia as Heartless Woman
- Jessica Barden as Nosebleed Woman
The Lobster FAQ
Is The Lobster worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A deadpan dystopian romance where singles must find a partner or become animals. It's original and often very funny, but it's cold, odd and deliberately awkward, so it won't suit everyone.
Where can I watch The Lobster?
In the US you can stream The Lobster on HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Lobster OK for kids?
The Lobster is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Lobster is a dark, R-rated dystopian satire involving suicide, violence toward animals, and disturbing themes.
What movies are like The Lobster?
If you liked The Lobster, try The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Poor Things, The Favourite and Dogtooth.