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Celluloid
DramaRomance Berlinale 2004 · Golden Bear Editor's Pick

Head-On Review (2004) — 81% Celluloid Score

Directed by Fatih Akin · 2004 ·

Short answer

Is Head-On worth watching?

Yes. Head-On (2004) earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

81%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

90% Editorial Rating
88% Audience snapshot · excluded
78 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.9
7.8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 2m
Age rating
19 (South Korea) · R18+ (Japan)
Cast
Sibel Kekilli , Birol Ünel , Güven Kıraç , Meltem Cumbul , Adam Bousdoukos , Mehmet Kurtuluş , Stefan Gebelhoff , Catrin Striebeck , Demir Gökgöl , Cem Akin
Country
Germany
Language
German

Also known as Gegen die Wand Contra la pared Contra a Parede 愛より強く 미치고 싶을 때 勇往直前 愛無止盡 Duvara Karşı

Where to watch

Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Check local listings for your region.

Where to watch Head-On by country

Country Streaming on
South Korea Wavve
Turkey TV+, HBO Max

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (90/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (88%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (78/100).
  • Celluloid Score 81% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, romance pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Head-On worth watching?

    Yes — Head-On earns an 81% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, romance pick.

    Celluloid verdict

    Head-On — Golden Bear at Berlinale 2004. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is Head-On about?

    With the intention to break free from the strict familial restrictions, a suicidal young woman sets up a marriage of convenience with a forty-year-old addict, an act that will lead to an outburst of envious love.

    Watch the Trailer

    Head-On stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Head-On production still 1
    Head-On production still 2
    Head-On production still 3
    Head-On production still 4
    Head-On production still 5
    Head-On production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Head-On: frequently asked questions

    Is Head-On worth watching?

    Yes. Head-On (2004) has a Celluloid Score of 81%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Head-On?

    Elsewhere: Wavve in South Korea; TV+, HBO Max in Turkey. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Head-On?

    Head-On runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

    What is Head-On rated?

    Head-On is rated 19 in South Korea and R18+ in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Head-On?

    Head-On is directed by Fatih Akin and stars Sibel Kekilli, Birol Ünel, Güven Kıraç, Meltem Cumbul, Adam Bousdoukos.

    What is the Metascore for Head-On?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Head-On is 78 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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