Control (2007)

Control is a stark, intimate biopic of Ian Curtis, the moody, brilliant singer-songwriter who fronted Joy Division and whose life — marked by epilepsy, a failing marriage, a secret affair, and rising fame — ended in suicide at 23. The film follows Curtis from his teenage Bowie-inspired days through the birth of the band, its growing success, and the unbearable pressure of touring and performing as his personal life unravels. Shot in expressive black-and-white and driven by restrained, atmospheric direction, Control foregrounds mood and observation over sensationalism. You get a close, empathetic portrait of a conflicted artist: quiet domestic scenes, taut rehearsal and performance sequences, and the private struggle with illness and desire that he cannot reconcile. The central performances — especially the commanding, haunted lead — render Ian’s contradictions and isolation convincingly, while the period detail and music immerse you in late-1970s post‑punk Britain. Watching Control is an emotionally haunting experience: it’s melancholy, beautifully composed, and often claustrophobic — it invites you to feel the weight of fame and the fragility of a man pushed beyond his limits. The film is as much about atmosphere and character as it is about events, leaving viewers with a lingering, somber understanding of why Curtis made his tragic choice. Content note: the film deals with suicide, infidelity, and epileptic seizures; viewer discretion is advised.

Actors: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson

Director: Anton Corbijn

Runtime: 122 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Music

7.3 /10 78 /100 7.6 /10 7.6 /10