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Aardvark (2018): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Aardvark (2018) movie poster

Aardvark is a 2018 drama directed by Brian Shoaf, starring Jenny Slate as Emily Milburton, Zachary Quinto and Jon Hamm. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and was made on a reported $1.4 million budget. Critics gave it 8% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10. Rent or buy it on Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.

IMDb rating
4.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
8%
Echo Score
35
Metascore
37
Aardvark (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Brian Shoaf
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$1.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Aardvark About?

The premise of Aardvark without spoilers.

A therapist, Emily Milburton, finds herself deeply involved in treating Josh Norman, a man struggling with disturbing hallucinations that make it difficult to distinguish reality. His life takes an unexpected turn with the sudden arrival of his estranged brother, Craig Norman, a well-known television star. Craig’s presence complicates Emily’s professional life and tests her ability to maintain boundaries as she tries to help Josh confront his inner turmoil.

Aardvark Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • pantyhose
  • black pantyhose
  • female stockinged legs
  • animal in title
Where to watch

Where to Watch Aardvark

Rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Aardvark Cast & Characters

Jenny Slate leads the cast as Emily Milburton, with Zachary Quinto as Josh Norman and Jon Hamm as Craig. Directed by Brian Shoaf; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Aardvark

· 6 more
Ratings

Aardvark Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Aardvark 8% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

35 /100

Aardvark Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Aardvark struggles with an inconsistent tone and an unfocused narrative framework. Critics widely note that the debut’s reliance on clichés and contrivances undermines its thematic exploration of mental health and sibling rivalry. The pacing is frequently described as meandering, causing earnest moments to feel insincere and vacuous. Overall, the film’s sporadic strengths are overshadowed by its structural and tonal shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and editing exhibit inconsistency and a lack of refinement. Critics point to an absence of visual cohesion and editing decisions that contradict narrative intent, yielding a disjointed aesthetic. The production design and cinematography go largely unnoticed, reinforcing a sense of bland design. Ultimately, these technical shortcomings diminish the film’s overall artistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble cast delivers intermittently strong performances despite underdeveloped roles. Reviewers note that actors convey nuanced wounded personas and engage effectively in sensitive counseling scenes, yet the script’s uneven focus prevents deeper emotional connections. Chemistry among performers is acknowledged but undercut by abrupt tonal shifts. Consequently, the character work is competent but rarely fully realized.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is frequently criticized for its incoherence and uneven pacing. The plot relies on contrived elements and meanders through familiar themes without establishing a solid tone, causing genuine moments to feel disconnected. Reviewers also highlight a lack of narrative revelation and originality. Overall, the storytelling fails to engage consistently and undermines the film’s dramatic intentions.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s audiovisual elements remain largely unremarkable. Critics seldom remark on the score or sound design, and the visual style lacks distinctive cohesion beyond occasional framing strengths in the final sequence. The absence of a memorable soundtrack or compelling soundscapes leaves the sensory presentation feeling flat. In sum, the sensory dimension delivers neither immersion nor standout moments.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers minimal incentive for repeat viewings. The overall sense of incoherence and boredom dominates, and the few moments of resolution in the final act arrive too late to alter the underwhelming impression. With limited emotional or narrative payoff and no standout scenes that invite further analysis, the film’s lasting appeal remains low. Consequently, rewatch value is significantly diminished.

Videos

Aardvark Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Aardvark.

Aardvark
Details

Aardvark Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Dark Minds” and “Муравьед”.

Also known as
  • Dark Minds
  • Муравьед
  • Мравоядът
  • 土豚人生

Seen Aardvark?

FAQ

Aardvark FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Aardvark, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Aardvark?

Aardvark runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Aardvark released?

Aardvark was released on April 13, 2018.

Who directed Aardvark?

Aardvark was directed by Brian Shoaf.

More films by Brian Shoaf

Who is in the cast of Aardvark?

Aardvark stars Jenny Slate as Emily Milburton, Zachary Quinto as Josh Norman and Jon Hamm as Craig, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Aardvark?

In the US, Aardvark is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Aardvark?

Aardvark had a reported budget of $1.4 million.

How is Aardvark rated?

Aardvark has 4.5/10 on IMDb, 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does Aardvark have a post-credit scene?

No. Aardvark has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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