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Comedy drama

Abe (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Abe (2020) movie poster

Abe is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade, starring Noah Schnapp as Abe, Seu Jorge and Arian Moayed. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and earned $28,657 worldwide. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
70%
worldwide gross
$28.7K
Echo Score
65
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Abe (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Abe About?

The premise of Abe without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Abe is a coming-of-age story about a twelve-year-old boy with dreams of becoming a chef. He finds himself caught between family conflicts and different cultural backgrounds, all while pursuing his culinary passion. With the help of a streetwise mentor named Chico, Abe sets out to unite his heritage through food. As he delves deeper, he uncovers hidden secrets, faces difficult truths about his family, and ultimately learns about forgiveness and finding his place.

Abe Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • bare chested boy
  • cooking
  • torn between 2 religions
  • summer camp
  • fasting
  • bar mitzvah
  • grounded
  • fusion cooking
  • character name in title
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Cast & crew

Abe Cast & Characters

Noah Schnapp leads the cast as Abe, with Seu Jorge as Chico Catuaba and Arian Moayed as Amir. Directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Fernando Grostein Andrade

More films directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade: Encarcerados, Abe, Breaking the Taboo and Wandering Heart.

Full filmography
Ratings

Abe Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Abe 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in art & craft (45).

65 /100

Abe Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Abe offers a moderately engaging family drama with notable strengths in its sensory appeal and lead performance. The film's vivid culinary sequences and authentic portrayal of a young cook create a warm atmosphere. Conversely, the narrative occasionally relies on predictable beats and underdeveloped relationships, and the visual style lacks standout directorial flair. While rewatching delivers moments of gentle charm, the movie ultimately provides a pleasant but not deeply memorable experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    Art & Craft offerings in Abe show modest ambition with straightforward direction and routine editing choices. The film's visual style provides clear framing of cooking sequences but lacks distinctive cinematographic flair or inventive production designs. Transitions often feel functional rather than artfully composed, and the pacing of scenes does not highlight directorial strengths. Overall, the craftsmanship remains serviceable but seldom rises above a basic level of polish.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    In terms of Character & Emotion, Abe benefits from Noah Schnapp's earnest and innocent portrayal of its young protagonist. Interpersonal dynamics are engaging when family tensions surface, and moments of emotional resonance arise during scenes of shared meals. However, some relationships feel underdeveloped, limiting deeper connections among the ensemble. The film maintains genuine warmth through its lead performance, even if secondary characters receive less narrative attention.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of Story & Flow, Abe presents a straightforward coming-of-age narrative centered on culinary diplomacy. The pacing fluctuates between engaging cooking montages and predictable dramatic beats, and the integration of geopolitical tensions can feel forced at times. While the core message of unity through food resonates, the script occasionally relies on familiar tropes and streamlined conflicts. Overall, the plot delivers a warm-hearted journey but stops short of deeper narrative complexity.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, Abe excels in its vivid depiction of food and atmosphere. Colorful production design and appetizing visuals make cooking sequences appealing and visually cohesive. The soundtrack and sound design support the on-screen action but rarely stand out beyond functional accompaniment. Though some viewers note moments that lack stylistic flourish, the film's sensory elements successfully evoke the sensory pleasure of communal dining.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    For Rewatch Factor, Abe offers a moderate level of replay value through its optimistic themes and engaging cooking scenes. The central message of familial unity provides gentle inspiration, and brief comedic moments can remain charming on subsequent viewings. However, the film's straightforward structure and limited narrative depth may lessen lasting appeal. In sum, while the movie can be enjoyable to revisit for its warmth, it does not strongly reward repeated viewings.

Plot

Abe Plot Summary

What happens in Abe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the heart of Brooklyn, New York, 12-year-old Abe (Noah Schnapp) has unearthed his true passion: food. With fearless curiosity, he delves into his family kitchen, crafting a variety of imaginative dishes, including unique creations like ramen tacos. Also known as Avraham and Ibrahim, Abe is the product of a diverse family, with a Muslim father, Amir (Arian Moayed), and a Jewish mother, Rebecca (Dagmara Dominczyk). This cultural cocktail is amplified by the backgrounds of his grandparents, where his maternal relatives hail from Israel and his paternal ones are Palestinian Arabs.

Full summary

The whole story of Abe, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Abe Box Office

Abe grossed $28,657 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$28.7K

International
$28.7K
Videos

Abe Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Abe.

ABE - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Abe?

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 is Abe's primary passion that he discovers at age 12?

Cars

Cars in Abe

25 cars on screen, including the 1992 Volvo 240 and the 2011 Ferrara Ultra.

All 25 cars
  • 1992 Volvo 240 in Abe 1992 Volvo 240 Important role
  • 2011 Ferrara Ultra in Abe 2011 Ferrara Ultra Minor role
  • 2003 IC CE in Abe 2003 IC CE Minor role
  • Peterbilt 579 in Abe Peterbilt 579 Minor role
Details

Abe Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “エイブのキッチンストーリー” and “Soulfood - Familie geht durch den Magen”.

Also known as
  • エイブのキッチンストーリー
  • Soulfood - Familie geht durch den Magen
  • Soul Food
  • Abe gotuje
  • Запретная кухня
  • 亚博
  • 에이브의 쿠킹 다이어리, აბე
  • Ейб
  • 一家之煮
  • Ízek, imák, gyerekek
  • Eibas
  • Různé chutě světa
+2 more
  • 布鲁克林小当家
  • Rôzne chute sveta

Seen Abe?

FAQ

Abe FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Abe?

Abe runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Abe released?

Abe was released on April 17, 2020.

Who directed Abe?

Abe was directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade.

More films by Fernando Grostein Andrade

Who is in the cast of Abe?

Abe stars Noah Schnapp as Abe, Seu Jorge as Chico Catuaba and Arian Moayed as Amir, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Abe make at the box office?

Abe grossed $28,657 worldwide.

How is Abe rated?

Abe has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Abe have a post-credit scene?

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

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