Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands is a modern fairy tale about an unfinished artificial man—Edward—who lives alone in a gothic mansion with metal scissors where his hands should be. When a warm-hearted Avon saleswoman discovers him and brings him into her pastel suburban neighborhood, his delicate, creative nature is revealed through uncanny talents like hedge-sculpting and hairstyling. He gently falls for the inventor’s daughter, but the town’s initial curiosity and kindness slowly curdle into suspicion and fear, and Edward’s life takes a darker, more heartbreaking turn. Watching the film you’ll experience a blend of whimsy and melancholy: stylized, contrasting visuals (snow-dusted spirals, manicured lawns, and the lonely castle), a strong romantic thread, moments of funny small-town satire, and an undercurrent of tragedy. The story explores themes of isolation, otherness, innocence, and how a community’s fear can transform acceptance into cruelty. Performances give the lead an almost mute, vulnerable dignity while supporting characters swing between affection and pettiness. Expect to be enchanted by the film’s visual imagination and bittersweet mood—moved by its tenderness and unsettled by the consequences of misunderstanding—making it as much a fairy tale for grown-ups as a touching character study.

Actors: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest

Director: Tim Burton

Runtime: 105 min

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

7.7 /10 74 /100 7.9 /10 7.7 /10