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A Fantastic Woman (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Fantastic Woman (2017) movie poster

A Fantastic Woman is a 2017 drama directed by Sebastián Lelio, starring Daniela Vega as Marina Vidal, Francisco Reyes and Luis Gnecco. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $3.8 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$3.8M
Oscar won
1
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A Fantastic Woman (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Sebastián Lelio
Genre
Drama
Original language
Spanish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Fantastic Woman About?

The premise of A Fantastic Woman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A captivating drama about a transgender woman who experiences prejudice and heartbreak following the sudden death of her partner. As she fights for recognition and respect, she confronts the challenges of societal intolerance and the pain of loss, all while striving to maintain her sense of self and the memory of their relationship.

A Fantastic Woman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • transgender woman
  • death of lover
  • gender discrimination
  • transgender
  • transphobia
  • female nudity
  • transgender lead character
  • trans
  • singer
  • men's locker room
  • male in a shower
  • man in a shower
+38 more
  • gay slur
  • nightclub
  • waitress
  • church
  • singing
  • sauna
  • police
  • birthday
  • restaurant
  • reference to julia roberts
  • age discordant relationship
  • transgender slur
  • nudity
  • birthday cake
  • female protagonist
  • fantasy sequence
  • hallucination
  • ex wife
  • dancing
  • sister sister relationship
  • briefs
  • locker room
  • affair
  • prejudice
  • lover
  • gender
  • sensitive
  • role
  • hard
  • cruelty
  • fear
  • fearless
  • determination
  • determined
  • power
  • next of kin
  • spouse
  • separated spouse
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Cast & crew

A Fantastic Woman Cast & Characters

Daniela Vega leads the cast as Marina Vidal, with Francisco Reyes as Orlando and Luis Gnecco as Gabo. Directed by Sebastián Lelio; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Fantastic Woman

· 6 more
From the director

More from Sebastián Lelio

More films directed by Sebastián Lelio, best-rated first: Disobedience, Gloria Bell, Gloria and The Wonder.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Fantastic Woman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Fantastic Woman 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

81 /100

A Fantastic Woman Echo Score Breakdown

In general, A Fantastic Woman offers a compelling exploration of grief and identity anchored by its central performance and deliberate direction. Viewer consensus highlights Daniela Vega’s commanding embodiment of Marina coupled with subtle directorial choices that underscore emotional depth. While the narrative flow occasionally slows and sensory elements are understated, the film delivers resonant thematic impact. Overall, the work achieves strong emotional resonance and thematic clarity despite minor pacing and textural limitations.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates meticulous directorial control and thoughtful visual composition. Reviews note the use of reflective imagery and framing that reinforce thematic depth while maintaining a restrained aesthetic. Though production design remains subtle and editing sometimes allows lull, these choices support the film’s cohesive mood. Net result is a refined visual style that enhances narrative focus.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    In terms of character and emotion, reviews uniformly praise Daniela Vega’s portrayal as profoundly nuanced and resilient. Critics highlight her expressive subtlety and emotional authenticity in conveying grief and determination. Supporting performances are also noted for their depth, reinforcing Marina’s interactions. The portrayal fosters strong audience empathy, resulting in a compelling study of identity and emotional fortitude.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers a powerful social commentary on loss and prejudice with moments of genuine engagement. Reviewers appreciate the film’s thematic coherence and emotional stakes, though some note intermittent pacing lulls and underdeveloped dialogue. Despite these pacing variances, the plot remains engaging in its exploration of identity and societal bias.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    In terms of sensory experience, the film employs a measured sound design and an understated score that support rather than dominate the narrative. Visual style relies on a muted palette punctuated by occasional vibrant tones. While some viewers find the textural elements reserved, these choices maintain cohesion and reinforce the film’s contemplative atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    In terms of rewatch factor, opinions suggest the film’s emotional intensity and thematic weight may limit repeated viewings. Viewers acknowledge its immersive performances and thought-provoking questions, yet the deliberate pacing and somber tone reduce casual re-engagement. Overall, the film offers significant impact on first and subsequent watches, albeit with a focus on reflection over entertainment.

Plot

A Fantastic Woman Plot Summary

What happens in A Fantastic Woman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Marina is a young transgender woman living in Santiago, Chile, where she juggles her life as a singer and waitress. Recently, she has been in a romantic relationship with Orlando, an older man, and they have moved in together. On the night of her birthday, Orlando surprises Marina with a heartfelt gift: a note promising tickets to a renowned resort. However, tragedy strikes when Orlando suddenly falls ill in the middle of the night and suffers a fatal brain aneurysm after tumbling down the stairs.

Full summary

The whole story of A Fantastic Woman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Fantastic Woman Box Office

A Fantastic Woman grossed $3.8 million worldwide. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $1.8 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.8M

US & Canada
$2M
International
$1.8M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

A Fantastic Woman Awards & Nominations

A Fantastic Woman won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film, and 2 awards in all.

2 wins4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

A Fantastic Woman Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip A Fantastic Woman | Exclusive Clip
  • Clip A FANTASTIC WOMAN: Clip - "Sensitive Situation" Now on Blu-ray & Digital!
  • Clip A FANTASTIC WOMAN: Clip - "Let Us Mourn" Now on Blu-ray & Digital!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Fantastic Woman?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What significant event happens on Marina's birthday?

Details

A Fantastic Woman Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “En fantastisk kvinne” and “판타스틱 우먼”.

Also known as
  • En fantastisk kvinne
  • 판타스틱 우먼
  • Eine Fantastische Frau - Una Mujer Fantástica
  • A
  • ナチュラルウーマン
  • Fantastiskā sieviete
  • Μια Φανταστική Γυναίκα
  • Une femme fantastique
  • En fantastisk kvinde
  • Uma Mulher Fantástica
  • Fantastyczna kobieta
  • En fantastisk kvinna
+20 more
  • Una donna fantastica
  • Eine fantastische Frau
  • Muhteşem Kadın
  • Fantastická žena
  • 普通女人
  • Фантастическая женщина
  • Fantastinen nainen
  • Една фантастична жена
  • Egy fantasztikus nő
  • Una mujer fantástica
  • Фантастична жінка
  • אישה פנטסטית
  • Фантастична жена
  • 神奇女郎
  • 不思議女人
  • Fantastiška moteris
  • Hành Trình Vượt Nghịch Cảnh, ფანტასტიური ქალი
  • O femeie fantastică
  • แด่ผู้ชายที่รัก
  • Fantastiline naine

Seen A Fantastic Woman?

FAQ

A Fantastic Woman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of A Fantastic Woman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Fantastic Woman?

A Fantastic Woman runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was A Fantastic Woman released?

A Fantastic Woman was released on November 17, 2017.

Who directed A Fantastic Woman?

A Fantastic Woman was directed by Sebastián Lelio.

More films by Sebastián Lelio

Who is in the cast of A Fantastic Woman?

A Fantastic Woman stars Daniela Vega as Marina Vidal, Francisco Reyes as Orlando and Luis Gnecco as Gabo, among 10 credited actors.

How much did A Fantastic Woman make at the box office?

A Fantastic Woman grossed $3.8 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $1.8 million international).

How is A Fantastic Woman rated?

A Fantastic Woman has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

What awards did A Fantastic Woman win?

A Fantastic Woman won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2018.

Does A Fantastic Woman have a post-credit scene?

No. A Fantastic Woman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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