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High Art

Play trailer Poster for High Art R,  1998,  1h 42m,  Drama/ LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 79% 53 Reviews Tomatometer 45% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Syd (Radha Mitchell), a low-level editor at a photography magazine eager to establish herself, discovers her neighbor is the once-celebrated downtown photographer Lucy Berliner (Ally Sheedy). Although Syd lives with her boyfriend (Gabriel Mann), she is drawn to Lucy, who has a volatile relationship with her heroin-addicted girlfriend, Greta (Patricia Clarkson). As Syd starts sleeping with Lucy, she is pulled into a glamorous but dangerous art-world scene, full of drugs and unexpected pleasures.
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Critics Consensus

A surprisingly sultry performance from Ally Sheedy elevates High Art from pretentious melodrama to compelling -- if still a little pretentious -- romance.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Smith Slant Magazine Jun 15, 2026
Like Lucy’s photography, Lisa Cholodenko’s film is intensely focused and intimate, capturing the complex, inner landscapes of its two central characters. Go to Full Review
Drew Gregory Autostraddle Mar 29, 2021
Ally Sheedy plays Lucy with a sexy grime. Go to Full Review
Philippa Snow New Statesman Jan 21, 2021
As well as its procession of downtown drug soirées, High Art offers one of the more sensitive on-screen depictions of lesbian sex in (relatively) mainstream cinema. Go to Full Review
Ellie Lucas From the Front Row Jul 28, 2026
3.5/4
Cholodenko nails the faded milieu of queer artists, lovers, and hangers-on intersecting through sex, drugs, and art. Go to Full Review
Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Jul 21, 2026
3.5/4
[Lisa] Cholodenko avoids most of the tropes associated with heroin, preventing High Art from becoming just another addiction drama, though Syd's attraction to Lucy plays like a form of addiction. Go to Full Review
Ian Thomas Malone ianthomasmalone.com Jul 6, 2026
Sheedy puts forth the best performance of her career, bringing ample depth to Lucy’s icy exterior as she explores the intricacies of sapphic yearning. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Christina V @christinavosilla May 7, 2026 This review is fire!!!
Dmitry D. @dma222 Dec 18, 2025 Good movie recommended
Theodore S Jun 9, 2018 Wonderful film, beautifully written and shot, and well acted. The perspective though the eyes of Radha Mitchell keeps the film focused, and it is unveiled before us one layer at a time and not at all erratic. Easily watchable film and not overdone, and the writing is just perfect. This is a film you will remember, and I have. See more
Finn L Nov 22, 2017 High Art [Lisa Cholodenko, 1998, United States] Solid, sexy, crafted characters. a psychological rollercoaster. 6/10
Harry W Apr 2, 2017 I didnt see the ending coming, i was kind of frustrated. But the movie itself is nothing crazy, just a nice 90's plot.
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High Art

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Cast & Crew

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Lisa Cholodenko

Director

Ally Sheedy

Lucy Berliner

Radha Mitchell

Syd

Patricia Clarkson

Greta

Tammy Grimes

Vera

Gabriel Mann

James

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High Art

High Art (1998) High Art (1998) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Syd (Radha Mitchell), a low-level editor at a photography magazine eager to establish herself, discovers her neighbor is the once-celebrated downtown photographer Lucy Berliner (Ally Sheedy). Although Syd lives with her boyfriend (Gabriel Mann), she is drawn to Lucy, who has a volatile relationship with her heroin-addicted girlfriend, Greta (Patricia Clarkson). As Syd starts sleeping with Lucy, she is pulled into a glamorous but dangerous art-world scene, full of drugs and unexpected pleasures.
Director
Lisa Cholodenko
Producer
Dolly Hall, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Susan A. Stover
Screenwriter
Lisa Cholodenko
Distributor
October Films
Production Co
October Films, 391 Productions, Antidote Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 12, 1998, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 4, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.9M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround
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