The Special (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Special is a 2020 comedy horror film directed by B. Harrison Smith, starring Sarah French as Lisa, Dave Sheridan and James Young. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $19.4 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 45/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- B. Harrison Smith
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Brick Top Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Special About?
The premise of The Special without spoilers.
Haunted by suspicions of his wife's infidelity, a man reluctantly agrees to visit a brothel with his best friend. They seek out ‘The Special’, an experience that unexpectedly alters his life and forces him to confront difficult truths. He soon discovers that every pleasure comes with a consequence.
The Special Cast & Characters
Sarah French leads the cast as Lisa, with Dave Sheridan as Mike and James Young as Frank the Guard. Directed by B. Harrison Smith; 29 actors are credited in all.
- Director B. Harrison Smith
-
Sarah French as Lisa -
Dave Sheridan as Mike - James Young as Frank the Guard
- Sheri Fairchild as The Cleaning Lady
Also Starring in The Special
· 25 more- Jim Clark Hardware Store Manager
- Susan Moses Madame Zhora
- Tony Barber Motel Manager
- Davy Raphaely Jerry
- Doug Henderson Ivan
- Cindy Lee Mandy
- Aleksandra Svetlichnaya Nada
- Paul Cottman Detective Barnes
- Wayne Shearer Mort
- Nic Detorie Dick
- Lisa Budwig Mystic Wanda
- Leslie Talley Trudy
- Janae Palmer Syn
- Christina DiNicolo Erin
- Blanda Nace Dr. Weaver
- Kim Hogeman Pharmacist
Show all 29 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Mitchell Nease Hardware Store Employee
- Patricia Will Nurse
- Arlington County Themselves
- John A. Teske Dr. Novak
- Matt Nease Nick Roberts
- Cal Weary George
- Shelly Lynn Koch Carol
- Graham Will John
- Patti S. Stirk Cathy
More from B. Harrison Smith
More films directed by B. Harrison Smith, best-rated first: Death House, A Wonderful Time of the Year, Where the Scary Things Are and Camp Dread.
The Special Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in story & flow (55) and weakest in art & craft (35).
The Special Echo Score Breakdown
The Special garners a mixed overall reception, with notable thematic ambition offset by uneven execution. Critics commend its exploration of addiction and mistrust, while many viewers highlight recurring technical shortcomings and a disjointed narrative. The film’s originality attracts a niche audience, yet the pervasive low‑budget aesthetic and inconsistent pacing limit broader appeal. Consequently, the movie lands in the lower-mid range of the rating scale.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
The film’s art and craft elements are generally perceived as subpar. Reviewers repeatedly note poor audio quality, inadequate set design, and low‑budget cinematography that detract from immersion. Some observers acknowledge occasional effective framing, but such moments are rare. Overall, the technical execution fails to support the story, resulting in a low art score.
- Character & Emotion 45
Character work receives mixed feedback, leaning toward disappointment. Multiple comments describe acting as poor or unremarkable, and a lack of emotional resonance. A few viewers, however, find the performances adequate and the central premise compelling. The uneven portrayals limit audience connection, yielding a modest character rating.
- Story & Flow 55
Storytelling is identified as both a strength and a weakness. The plot’s unconventional premise and twisted ending attract praise for originality, yet many note incoherent pacing and predictable beats. Several reviewers mention plot holes and an overly brief narrative structure. This balance of intrigue and structural flaws places the story score in the mid‑range.
- Sensory Experience 40
Sensory experience is largely criticized for its low production values. Commentators point to deficient sound design, flat audio, and a visual style reminiscent of dated TV horror. While isolated moments of effective atmosphere are mentioned, they do not compensate for the overall lackluster execution. Consequently, the sensory score reflects these shortcomings.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Rewatch potential is divided among viewers. Some express that the film’s oddity and twist make it worth a second glance, describing it as a “must‑see” for genre enthusiasts. Others advise skipping it, citing limited scare factor and repetitive flaws. This ambivalence translates to an average rewatch rating.
The Special Box Office
The Special grossed $19.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$19.4M
- International
- $19.4M
The Special Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Special.
The Special Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “O especial” and “舐雞而洞”.
- Also known as
-
- O especial
- 舐雞而洞
- The Special - Dies ist keine Liebesgeschichte
- A Caixa dos Prazeres
- 더 스페셜
- Нечто особенное
- 特别
- המיוחד
- Дещо особливе
Seen The Special?
The Special FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Special, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Special?
The Special runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was The Special released?
The Special was released on January 31, 2020.
Who directed The Special?
The Special was directed by B. Harrison Smith.
More films by B. Harrison Smith Who is in the cast of The Special?
The Special stars Sarah French as Lisa, Dave Sheridan as Mike and James Young as Frank the Guard, among 29 credited actors.
How much did The Special make at the box office?
The Special grossed $19.4 million worldwide.
Does The Special have a post-credit scene?
No. The Special has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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