Stop Making Sense (1984): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Stop Making Sense is a 1984 music documentary directed by Jonathan Demme, starring David Byrne. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $13.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 94 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Director
- Jonathan Demme
- Genres
- Music , Documentary
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Cinecom Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Stop Making Sense About?
The premise of Stop Making Sense without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Jonathan Demme’s concert film vividly portrays a Talking Heads performance, beginning with David Byrne’s solo acoustic guitar set. The band gradually joins him, building to a vibrant and energetic spectacle. The film highlights the group’s artistic vision and showcases a memorable performance featuring Byrne’s signature oversized suit, creating a dynamic and electrifying experience for the viewer.
Stop Making Sense Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- concert film
- suit
- new wave music
- rock music
- live in concert recording
- national film registry
- independent film
- live audience
- live performance
- concert music
- rock band
- music documentary
+10 more Show fewer
- musician
- cult film
- electric guitar
- long take
- chiaroscuro
- title based on song
- performance
- dancing
- title spoken by character
- three word title
Stop Making Sense Cast
David Byrne stars in Stop Making Sense. Directed by Jonathan Demme.
-
Director Jonathan Demme
More from Jonathan Demme
More films directed by Jonathan Demme, best-rated first: Neil Young Trunk Show, The Silence of the Lambs, The Agronomist and Neil Young: Heart of Gold.
Stop Making Sense Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Stop Making Sense 94 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.7/10.
-
IMDb 8.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 94 Metascore
User score 8.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 83% User score
See on TMDB
Stop Making Sense Plot Summary
What happens in Stop Making Sense from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Stop Making Sense begins with the lead singer David Byrne stepping onto an empty stage, armed solely with an acoustic guitar and a portable cassette tape player. He introduces his first song, “Psycho Killer,” declaring, > “I want to play a tape.” As the performance unfolds, Byrne is gradually joined by his bandmates and several special guests. The talented Tina Weymouth makes her entrance for the song Heaven, followed closely by Chris Frantz who joins in for “Thank You for Sending Me an Angel,” and Jerry Harrison for “Found a Job.”
Full summary
The whole story of Stop Making Sense, scene by scene
Stop Making Sense Box Office
Stop Making Sense grossed $13.1 million worldwide. $10.3 million came from the US and Canada and $2.8 million (21%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$13.1M
- US & Canada
- $10.3M
- International
- $2.8M
Stop Making Sense Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser Official Promo
- Clip Burning Down the House - Official Clip
- Behind the Scenes David Byrne practicing his moves for Stop Making Sense.
How Well Do You Know Stop Making Sense?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the lead singer and performer at the beginning of the concert?
Stop Making Sense Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense” and “ストップ・メイキング・センス”.
- Also known as
-
- Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
- ストップ・メイキング・センス
- 스톱 메이킹 센스
- STOP MAKING SENSE 40TH ANNIVERSARY - The IMAX Experience
- Məntiqli Olmağı Burax
- Стига създава смисъл
- 别假正经
- 造反有理
- 스탑 메이킹 센스
- סטופ מייקינג סנס
- Не ищи смысла
Seen Stop Making Sense?
Movies Like Stop Making Sense
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Between the Teeth, Talking Heads: Rock Pop in Concert and Talking Heads: The Name of this Programme is Once In A Lifetime.
-
Between the Teeth 1993 -
Talking Heads: Rock Pop in Concert 1981 -
Talking Heads: The Name of this Programme is Once In A Lifetime 1984 -
Talking Heads: Live in Rome 1980 -
David Byrne's American Utopia 2020 -
Shut Up and Play the Hits 2012 -
Big Time 1988 -
Shine a Light 2008 -
The Song Remains the Same 1976 -
Sign 'o' the Times 1987 -
Rush - A Show of Hands 1989 -
Rockshow 1980
Stop Making Sense FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Stop Making Sense, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Stop Making Sense?
Stop Making Sense runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was Stop Making Sense released?
Stop Making Sense was released on October 18, 1984.
Who directed Stop Making Sense?
Stop Making Sense was directed by Jonathan Demme.
More films by Jonathan Demme Who is in the cast of Stop Making Sense?
Stop Making Sense stars David Byrne.
How much did Stop Making Sense make at the box office?
Stop Making Sense grossed $13.1 million worldwide ($10.3 million domestic, $2.8 million international).
How is Stop Making Sense rated?
Stop Making Sense has 8.7/10 on IMDb, 94 on Metacritic and 83% on TMDB.
Does Stop Making Sense have a post-credit scene?
No. Stop Making Sense has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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