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The Lobster

The Lobster is a 2015 absurdist black comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and co-written with Efthimis Filippou.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Lobster is a 2015 absurdist black comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and co-written with Efthimis Filippou. Set in a dystopian future, it follows a man who must find a romantic partner within 45 days or be transformed into an animal.

Premise

The film is set in a near-future dystopia where single adults are taken to a hotel and must find a compatible partner within 45 days. Those who fail are transformed into animals and released into the woods.

Production and release

The Lobster marked Yorgos Lanthimos's first English-language film and premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and won the Jury Prize. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2015 and grossed about US$18 million worldwide on a US$4 million budget.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Colin Farrell as David, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman, John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Ashley Jensen, Ariane Labed, and Angeliki Papoulia.

Reception

The film was widely discussed as a darkly comic, absurdist satire about relationships and social pressure. It received award recognition at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize.

Key facts

  • The Lobster is a dystopian film about a society that punishes single people by forcing them to find a partner within 45 days.
  • It was directed and co-produced by Yorgos Lanthimos, with a screenplay by Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou.
  • The film stars Colin Farrell as David, a newly single man who is sent to a hotel with other singles.
  • Its premise includes the threat of being transformed into an animal of one’s choosing if no partner is found in time.
  • The film premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and won the Jury Prize.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Lobster about?
It is about a dystopian society where single people must find a romantic partner within 45 days or be transformed into an animal.
Who directed The Lobster?
Yorgos Lanthimos directed the film and also co-wrote it with Efthimis Filippou.
Who stars in The Lobster?
The film stars Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, Olivia Colman, John C. Reilly, and Ben Whishaw, among others.
When was The Lobster released?
It premiered at Cannes in May 2015 and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2015.
Did The Lobster win any awards?
Yes. It competed for the Palme d'Or at Cannes and won the Jury Prize.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464902/
    Supports: Plot premise, dystopian setting, and transformation into animals.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lobster
    Supports: Release year, director, screenplay, cast, premiere, awards, and box office.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lobster
    Supports: Genre and synopsis.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Lobster
    Supports: Identification as a 2015 film by Lanthimos.