Head-On (2005): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Head-On is a 2005 romantic drama directed by Fatih Akin, starring Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $11.1 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2006. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic. Stream it on Strand Releasing.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 1m (121 min)
- Director
- Fatih Akin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Strand Releasing
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Head-On About?
The premise of Head-On without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In Hamburg, Cahit, a Turkish immigrant struggling with despair, finds himself in a mental institution after a car accident. There, he meets Sibel, a woman also battling suicidal thoughts. They form an unusual connection and propose a marriage of convenience: they will wed but remain free to pursue their own lives. Their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of Germany’s urban landscape, exploring themes of love, freedom, and the search for connection.
Head-On Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- marriage
- marriage of convenience
- girl
- pubic hair
- breasts
- open marriage
- shower
- infidelity
- unfaithfulness
- extramarital affair
- underwear
- anal sex
+38 more Show fewer
- divorce
- female frontal nudity
- naive girl
- female nudity
- young wife
- sexual desire
- sexual abuse
- adultery
- violence
- sex
- rape
- male nudity
- male frontal nudity
- female protagonist
- wino
- horny girl
- naive young woman
- female full frontal nudity
- female rear nudity
- turkish immigrant
- hitting oneself
- sleeping nude
- breaking a glass
- reference to istanbul
- reference to istanbul turkey
- sex scene
- male rear nudity
- woman
- conservative family
- dark romance
- tragedy drama
- psychological drama
- foreplay
- cleavage
- turk
- roommate
- hospital
- alcoholic
Where to Watch Head-On
Stream it on Strand Releasing. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Strand Releasing Amazon Channel Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Head-On Cast
Birol Ünel leads the cast, with Sibel Kekilli. Directed by Fatih Akin.
-
Director Fatih Akin
Head-On Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Head-On 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 93%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 8.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB
Head-On Plot Summary
What happens in Head-On from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a vibrant scene of a Turkish singing group performing at the water’s edge in what seems to be Istanbul. Following their storytelling song, we transition to a nightclub where the music has just subsided. Here, we meet the protagonist, Cahit Tomruk, played by Birol Ünel, who is busy cleaning up the floor, picking up empty bottles—a reflection of his current life circumstances. After completing his shift, Cahit finds himself at a local bar, where his violent temper gets the better of him, leading to his ejection after a fight with another patron. The bartender, recognizing him, advises him to return home.
Full summary
The whole story of Head-On, scene by scene
Head-On Box Office
Head-On grossed $11.1 million worldwide. $435,395 came from the US and Canada and $10.6 million (96%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$11.1M
- US & Canada
- $435.4K
- International
- $10.6M
Head-On Awards & Nominations
Head-On earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2006.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2006 1 nomination- Nominated Best International Film
Head-On Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Head-On.
How Well Do You Know Head-On?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is Cahit Tomruk's job at the nightclub?
Head-On Also Known As
22 alternative titles, including “Contra la pared” and “Contra a Parede”.
- Also known as
-
- Contra la pared
- Contra a Parede
- Head On
- Duvara Karşı
- 미치고 싶을 때
- Mot väggen
- Mot veggen
- Назустріч стіні
- Головою до стіни
- La sposa turca
- 勇往直前
- Głową w mur
+10 more Show fewer
- Головой о стену
- Fallal szemben
- עם הראש בקיר
- Proti zdi
- Срещу стената
- Μαζί ποτέ
- Galva į sieną
- Proti múru
- 愛無止盡
- 愛より強く
Seen Head-On?
Movies Like Head-On
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Head On, Head in the Clouds and Heart Over Head.
Head-On FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Head-On, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Head-On?
Head-On runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).
When was Head-On released?
Head-On was released on January 21, 2005.
Who directed Head-On?
Head-On was directed by Fatih Akin.
More films by Fatih Akin Who is in the cast of Head-On?
Head-On stars Birol Ünel and Sibel Kekilli.
Where can I watch Head-On?
In the US, Head-On is streaming on Strand Releasing (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Head-On make at the box office?
Head-On grossed $11.1 million worldwide ($435,395 domestic, $10.6 million international).
How is Head-On rated?
Head-On has 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Was Head-On nominated for any awards?
Head-On received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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