The film's crazed parade of roaming toys is perhaps the most accurate visual depiction of a nightmare I've witnessed.

| Oct 22, 2024

But for others, Paprika will be a thought-provoking, challenging, and fun thrill packed with imagery, symbolism, and play, rich with a full assortment of meaning to argue over.

| Mar 1, 2024

... the philosophically rich or visually stimulating representations of the ideas present in the film that still grab hold of audiences in a way that live action just can’t.

| Feb 22, 2024

Even the title sequence alone reminds you just how brilliant Kon was at shifting between reality and fantasy.

| Feb 13, 2024

Drawing from ideas ofthe human psyche as well as the art of filmmaking,Paprika is brimming with creativity, from a writer and director whose understanding of animation was unparalleled.

| Sep 5, 2021

Satoshi Kon's final film is not only one of his finest, but one of the most exhilarating and memorable pieces of Japanese animation ever produced.

| Jul 7, 2021

This is what animation is meant to be.

| Jan 24, 2020

Though Kon sometimes hits on startling visions ripped straight from your head last night, he's ultimately more interested in film theory than the Freudian sort, evoking dreams in a way that's most faithful to dream sequences.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 25, 2019

Yes, Paprika is a masterpiece. The animation medium lends itself so perfectly to dream capers that it's no wonder Kon's final film is regarded a perfect marriage of form and subject.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Dec 14, 2017

Paprika has the curious effect of making you feel strangely happy afterwards, as if some internal load you hadn't even realized you were carrying is suddenly lifted. It sings. Go see it, even if it's not your birthday, you might feel like it is.

| Aug 23, 2017

Reality and fantasy leak into each other in short-circuiting jolts in Kon's cosmos

| Aug 27, 2009

Though it's not quite up there with the cream of anime feature films, Paprika is a distinctive, quality addition to the genre.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 9, 2008

Plays like the end and the beginning of Japanese cinema: it contradicts itself and contains multitudes.

| Original Score: A | Feb 27, 2008

The animation shows brilliant imagination by the filmmakers.

| Original Score: B | Oct 2, 2007

Its visual collision of mindscapes, films within films and dreams within dreams cascade into a dizzying rush that easily washes away the humdrum dialogue and somewhat sketchy plot.

Full Review | Sep 13, 2007

Paprika fills me with such overwhelming enthusiasm as to leave me gibbering.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Sep 12, 2007

Solely as a magical mystery tour of sights, sounds and surrealism, however, it's a unique animated blast to the senses.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 17, 2007

Offers both eye candy and mind candy -- it's a thoughtful visual treat.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 10, 2007

Watching anime is like hearing a foreign language in which you are fluent but not native: However much you believe you understand, you can never be sure you totally get it.

| Original Score: 84/100 | Aug 10, 2007

Manages to create a comfort zone for both Tarzan and Freud.

| Original Score: A- | Aug 5, 2007