Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

All Is True (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

All Is True (2018) movie poster

All Is True is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Judi Dench as Anne Shakespeare, Sam Ellis and Freya Durkan. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
73%
worldwide gross
$3M
Echo Score
67
Loading streaming availability…
All Is True (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Kenneth Branagh
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is All Is True About?

The premise of All Is True without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1613, celebrated playwright William Shakespeare returns to his hometown of Stratford after his Globe Theatre burns down. He is confronted by a difficult past and a family he’s left behind, including his wife and daughters. Haunted by the loss of his son Hamnet, Shakespeare must reconcile with his failings as a husband and father. The playwright's journey leads him to uncover deeply buried secrets and lies that challenge his family's stability and force him to examine his own identity.

All Is True Themes & Keywords

· 44 tags
  • death of son
  • playwright
  • stratford upon avon
  • father daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • globe theatre
  • british history
  • based on real person
  • based on true story
  • william shakespeare character
  • year 1613
+32 more
  • directed by an actor
  • garden
  • gardening
  • boy
  • mother daughter relationship
  • wedding
  • unwed pregnancy
  • puritan
  • graveyard
  • grave marker
  • church
  • candle
  • fire
  • retirement
  • looking out a window
  • mother son relationship
  • period drama
  • three word title
  • what happened to epilogue
  • ends with biographical notes
  • title at the end
  • directed by star
  • reference to king lear
  • scandal
  • grief
  • will
  • home
  • suicide
  • illness
  • branagh and dench
  • actor director
  • anne hathaway character
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

All Is True Cast & Characters

Judi Dench leads the cast as Anne Shakespeare, with Sam Ellis as Hamnet Shakespeare and Freya Durkan as Young Judith Shakespeare. Directed by Kenneth Branagh; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in All Is True

· 9 more
From the director

More from Kenneth Branagh

More films directed by Kenneth Branagh, best-rated first: Much Ado About Nothing, A Haunting in Venice, Belfast and Murder on the Orient Express.

Full filmography
Ratings

All Is True Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave All Is True 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

67 /100

All Is True Echo Score Breakdown

All Is True offers commendable performances and striking visual design but is hindered by its slow pacing and episodic structure. Critics and viewers note the film’s artful use of candlelight, shadowed interiors, and polished production design alongside uniformly strong performances. However, the narrative is frequently described as perfunctory and overlong, with limited dramatic momentum. Ultimately, the film registers as a well-crafted yet uneven portrait.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    Visual design emerges as a key asset in All Is True’s production. In terms of cinematography and direction, the film’s use of candlelight, shadowed interiors, and polished set pieces earns consistent praise. Observers acknowledge some shots linger excessively, and dim lighting occasionally impedes narrative clarity. Overall, the artful presentation secures the film’s most striking visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    The performances constitute the film’s most consistently praised element. When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, critics highlight masterful work by Branagh, Dench, and McKellen, and many note Kathryn Wilder’s standout presence. Users commend the on-screen chemistry and nuanced portrayals of grief and familial tension. Overall, character work anchors the film with compelling and credible performances.

  • Story & Flow 52

    The narrative pacing and structure represent a central weakness in All Is True. In terms of plot coherence and flow, the film is frequently described as episodic and perfunctory, with scenes that advance isolated themes rather than an integrated storyline. Multiple reviews cite sluggish tempo and excessive sentimentality as factors that weaken engagement. Overall, the story’s momentum feels uneven and restrained.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The film delivers a distinct sensory atmosphere anchored by its visual style. When it comes to sound design and visual cohesion, reviewers praise the understated color palette, composed wide shots, and thoughtful set lighting. Few refer to the musical score, but the overall acoustical presentation supports the film’s contemplative mood. Overall, the sensory experience is immersive yet occasionally muted.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    All Is True offers limited incentive for repeated viewings. In terms of rewatch value, its deliberate pacing and episodic structure are cited as factors that diminish subsequent enjoyment. While compelling performances and striking visuals can draw interest, the pronounced slow tempo and perfunctory narrative arcs offer few new insights on further viewings. Overall, the film’s replay appeal remains modest.

Plot

All Is True Plot Summary

What happens in All Is True 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

After the Globe Theatre is engulfed in flames during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613, a weary William Shakespeare, portrayed by Ian McKellen, returns to his home in Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of 49. He seeks to reconnect with his estranged wife, Anne Hathaway, played by Judi Dench. Their relationship has grown distant, having been strained by a long separation where Shakespeare spent most of their marriage in London while Anne remained a grounded country woman who struggles with literacy. Their bond has particularly suffered since the tragic loss of their son, Hamnet, who succumbed to the plague at the tender age of 11 while his father was away.

Full summary

The whole story of All Is True, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

All Is True Box Office

All Is True grossed $3 million worldwide. $1.2 million came from the US and Canada and $1.8 million (60%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3M

US & Canada
$1.2M
International
$1.8M
US & Canada 40% Rest of the world 60%
Videos

All Is True Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 clips and 1 featurette.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Imaginary Worlds
  • Clip Hollyhocks
  • Clip Reputation
  • Clip I'm Suspect
Quiz

How Well Do You Know All Is True?

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 event marks the beginning of Shakespeare's return to Stratford-upon-Avon?

Details

All Is True Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Όλη η Αλήθεια για τον Σαίξπηρ” and “Casa Shakespeare”.

Also known as
  • Όλη η Αλήθεια για τον Σαίξπηρ
  • Casa Shakespeare
  • Shakespeare : l'homme derrière le masque
  • Всичко е истина
  • Hepsi Gerçek
  • Cała prawda o Szekspirze
  • 都是真的
  • El último acto
  • Чистая правда
  • Vše je pravdivé
  • הכל אמת
  • Színház a világ
+10 more
  • Viss ir patiess
  • Чиста правда
  • 莎士比亞的最後時光
  • Todo es cierto
  • A Pura Verdade
  • 올 이즈 트루
  • Kaikki on totta
  • Všetko je pravda
  • シェイクスピアの庭
  • Ultimul act

Seen All Is True?

FAQ

All Is True FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is All Is True?

All Is True runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was All Is True released?

All Is True was released on December 21, 2018.

Who directed All Is True?

All Is True was directed by Kenneth Branagh.

More films by Kenneth Branagh

Who is in the cast of All Is True?

All Is True stars Judi Dench as Anne Shakespeare, Sam Ellis as Hamnet Shakespeare and Freya Durkan as Young Judith Shakespeare, among 13 credited actors.

How much did All Is True make at the box office?

All Is True grossed $3 million worldwide ($1.2 million domestic, $1.8 million international).

How is All Is True rated?

All Is True has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does All Is True have a post-credit scene?

No. All Is True has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app