Movie
Breaking the Waves
1996R2h 39m7.5 / 10
Love is a mighty power.
In a small, conservative Scottish village, an oilman is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when he urges her to have sex with another.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 23, 2026
Breaking the Waves is available to stream on Kanopy and MUBI in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Fandango at Home and Google Play. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Synopsis
In a small, conservative Scottish village, an oilman is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when he urges her to have sex with another.
More about Breaking the Waves
Cast
Emily WatsonBess McNeill
Stellan SkarsgårdJan Nyman
Katrin CartlidgeDodo McNeill
Jean-Marc BarrTerry
Adrian RawlinsDr. RichardsonJonathan HackettPriest
Sandra VoeMother
Udo KierSadistic SailorCredits
- Directed by
- Lars von Trier
- Written by
- Lars von Trier
Production details
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- Danish
- Budget
- $7.5M
- Box office
- $23M
Production
Zentropa EntertainmentsDenmark
SVT DramaSweden
Nordisk Film & TV FondNorway
La Sept CinémaFrance
VPRONetherlands- Media Investment ClubDenmark
Themes
1970saudaciousauthoritychurchcoerciondisableddying and deathexcommunication
