Ward No. 6

Synopsis

Ward No. 6 is a 2009 Russian drama directed by Karen Shakhnazarov, adapted from Anton Chekhov's famous novella. The film delves into the grim and haunting world of a provincial mental asylum, where the lines between sanity and madness blur. The narrative follows Dr. Ragin, a physician who becomes deeply involved with the inmates, especially a skeptical and intellectual patient. Through a powerful exploration of human suffering, institutional oppression, and philosophical inquiry, the film challenges perceptions of mental illness and societal neglect. With atmospheric cinematography and compelling performances, Ward No. 6 offers a thought-provoking meditation on compassion and despair amid desolation.

Cast

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  Vladimir Ilin

  Ragin

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  Aleksey Vertkov

  Gromov

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  Aleksandr Pankratov-Chyornyy

  Mikhail Averyanovich

• 

  Evgeniy Stychkin

  Khobotov

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  Aleksei Zharkov

  Old chief physician

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  Viktor Solovyov

Reviews

Critical reception of Ward No. 6 has been mixed but generally leaning positive. On IMDb, the film holds a moderate rating of 6.3/10 based on user reviews that praise the strong performances, particularly Vladimir Ilin's portrayal of Dr. Ragin, but some criticize the film's pacing and heavy tone. Rotten Tomatoes reflects a more favorable sentiment with a 67% approval rating, indicating a majority of critics appreciated the film's artistic ambition and faithfulness to Chekhov's themes. Critics often highlight the film's atmospheric setting and its exploration of existential questions as standout features. However, some reviewers note that the adaptation feels slow and occasionally overly intellectual for casual viewers. Metacritic does not have a sufficient number of reviews for a consolidated score, but among available critiques, the consensus suggests that Ward No. 6 is a compelling but demanding work that will resonate most with fans of literary adaptations and philosophical dramas. For example, a review from The Hollywood Reporter commended the film as “a visually arresting and somber study of madness that stays true to its literary roots,” while a few user comments on IMDb mention that its heavy tone might not appeal to all audiences.