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Biographical drama

A Hidden Life (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Hidden Life (2019) movie poster

A Hidden Life is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Terrence Malick, starring August Diehl as Franz Jägerstätter, Valerie Pachner and Karin Neuhäuser. It runs 2 hours 54 minutes and earned $4.6 million worldwide on a $9 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Feature at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$4.6M
award nomination
1
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A Hidden Life (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 54m (174 min)
Director
Terrence Malick
Genres
Biography , Drama , Romance , War
Original language
English
Budget
$9M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Hidden Life About?

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

In pre-World War II Austria, devout farmer Franz Jägerstätter faces a profound moral dilemma as his country aligns with Nazi Germany. When he is ordered to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler, he grapples with his conscience and faith. Ultimately, he makes a courageous and defiant choice that leads to tragic consequences, forcing him to risk everything he holds dear, including his family and his own life, in a powerful act of resistance.

A Hidden Life Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • world war two
  • anti nazism
  • conscientious objector
  • catholic
  • austria
  • death penalty
  • third reich
  • guilty verdict
  • village
  • prison
  • prison cell
  • beating
+38 more
  • subjective camera
  • farmer
  • farming
  • train
  • train station
  • anti war
  • voice over
  • sentenced to death
  • prisoner abuse
  • defiance
  • prisoner
  • travel
  • period piece
  • based on true story
  • nazi
  • capital punishment
  • year 1943
  • husband wife relationship
  • military justice
  • courtroom
  • conscience
  • nazi law
  • wehrmacht
  • counsel
  • clergy
  • catholic priest
  • peasant farmer
  • st. radegund
  • upper austria
  • oath of allegiance
  • trial
  • incarceration
  • reference to middlemarch
  • reference to george eliot
  • farmhouse
  • sexton
  • martyr
  • anschluss
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Cast & crew

A Hidden Life Cast & Characters

August Diehl leads the cast as Franz Jägerstätter, with Valerie Pachner as Fani Jägerstätter and Karin Neuhäuser as Rosalia Jägerstätter. Directed by Terrence Malick; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Hidden Life

· 13 more
From the director

More from Terrence Malick

More films directed by Terrence Malick, best-rated first: Badlands, The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life and The New World.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Hidden Life Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Hidden Life 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

A Hidden Life Echo Score Breakdown

A Hidden Life presents a solemn exploration of conviction and transcendence, distinguished by its luminous visuals and measured storytelling. Its expansive cinematography and rich thematic focus on moral resistance earned widespread acclaim, even as the deliberate pacing and extended runtime prompted concerns about repetition and narrative cohesion. The central performances convey earnest emotional depth, though character motivations can feel implicit rather than explicit. Overall, the film delivers a meditative and immersive experience that may challenge viewers’ patience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels in its majestic cinematography and production design, depicting sweeping fields and mountain vistas with precision. Malick’s direction sustains a cohesive visual palette, though the extended takes and intermittent jump cuts can disrupt the flow. Editing occasionally undercuts narrative momentum. Overall, the film’s artful execution remains a standout element.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    In terms of Character & Emotion, performances convey sincere conviction and foster genuine empathy for the protagonists. The leads project devotional intensity, articulating sacrifice and familial bonds with subtlety. However, secondary characters can feel underdeveloped, and internal motivations are sometimes implied rather than fully explored. Overall, the emotional resonance is compelling yet occasionally restrained by narrative abstraction.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative offers profound thematic exploration of faith and resistance, grounded in real events. The deliberate pacing underscores the meditative tone, though extended sequences and structural repetition diminish momentum. While the plot’s moral questions are engaging, the cohesion and urgency occasionally falter. Overall, the storyline resonates but demands considerable patience.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film delivers an immersive audiovisual tapestry, with a resonant musical score and meticulous sound design that complements the expansive visuals. The widespread use of natural soundscape heightens realism, and the cohesive visual style reinforces thematic depth. Overall, the sensory richness elevates the viewing experience into a contemplative realm.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s profound themes and rich imagery invite repeat viewings for those drawn to its contemplative style. However, its extended runtime and stately pacing may reduce appeal for general audiences on subsequent watches. While the subtleties of the narrative reward patience, the meditative approach could limit broader replay value. Overall, rewatch potential is moderate.

Plot

A Hidden Life Plot Summary

What happens in A Hidden Life from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A Hidden Life tells the poignant, true story of Austrian peasant farmer Franz Jägerstätter, portrayed by August Diehl. Residing in the picturesque village of St. Radegund, Franz leads a humble life, toiling on his land alongside his devoted wife Fani, played by Valerie Pachner. The couple nurtures a close-knit family, welcoming three daughters as the years pass. However, their peaceful existence is shattered when World War II breaks out, and Franz is summoned for military training.

Full summary

The whole story of A Hidden Life, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Hidden Life Box Office & Budget

A Hidden Life grossed $4.6 million worldwide on a $9 million budget, 52% of what it cost. $1.7 million came from the US and Canada and $2.9 million (63%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.6M

52% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.7M
International
$2.9M
Budget
$9M
US & Canada 37% Rest of the world 63%
Awards

A Hidden Life Awards & Nominations

A Hidden Life earned 1 award nomination, including Best Feature at the Spirit Awards 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

A Hidden Life Trailers & Videos

The trailer of A Hidden Life.

A HIDDEN LIFE | Official Trailer [HD] | FOX Searchlight
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Hidden Life?

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

Who is the protagonist of A Hidden Life?

Details

A Hidden Life Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “라데군트” and “Radegund”.

Also known as
  • 라데군트
  • Radegund
  • 隐秘的生活
  • Ein verborgenes Leben
  • Uma Vida Oculta
  • Vida oculta
  • La vita nascosta - Hidden Life
  • Skrytý život
  • Egy rejtett élet
  • Gizli Bir Həyat
  • Тайната на живота
  • Gizli Bir Yaşam
+20 more
  • Тайная жизнь
  • Une vie cachée
  • 히든 라이프
  • Μια Κρυφή Ζωή
  • Ukryte życie
  • Uma Vida Escondida
  • Na prahu války
  • חיים נסתרים
  • Una vida oculta
  • Украдени живот
  • 隱藏的生活
  • Apslēptā dzīve
  • Cuộc Đời Ẩn Dật
  • Paslėptas gyvenimas
  • O viață ascunsă
  • ชีวิตที่ซ่อนเร้น
  • 名もなき生涯
  • Falið líf
  • Skrito življenje
  • Varjatud elu

Seen A Hidden Life?

FAQ

A Hidden Life FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is A Hidden Life?

A Hidden Life runs 2 hours 54 minutes (174 minutes).

When was A Hidden Life released?

A Hidden Life was released on December 13, 2019.

Who directed A Hidden Life?

A Hidden Life was directed by Terrence Malick.

More films by Terrence Malick

Who is in the cast of A Hidden Life?

A Hidden Life stars August Diehl as Franz Jägerstätter, Valerie Pachner as Fani Jägerstätter and Karin Neuhäuser as Rosalia Jägerstätter, among 17 credited actors.

How much did A Hidden Life make at the box office?

A Hidden Life grossed $4.6 million worldwide ($1.7 million domestic, $2.9 million international) on a budget of $9 million.

How is A Hidden Life rated?

A Hidden Life has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was A Hidden Life nominated for any awards?

A Hidden Life received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does A Hidden Life have a post-credit scene?

No. A Hidden Life has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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