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What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

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

Ana (2020) movie poster

Ana is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Charles McDougall, starring Dafne Keen as Ana, Andy Garcia and Ramón Franco. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $31.6 million worldwide. IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
worldwide gross
$31.6M
Echo Score
75
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Ana (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ana About?

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

During an economic crisis in Puerto Rico, car dealer Rafa’s life is unexpectedly changed when he finds nine-year-old Ana alone in one of his cars. With her mother incarcerated, Ana forms a strong bond with Rafa, leading them on an adventure across the island. They search for her father while Rafa attempts to resolve his financial difficulties, forging an unlikely connection along the way.

Ana Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • unlikely friendship
  • reference to hurricane maria
  • puerto rico
  • natural disaster
  • used car salesman
  • cock fight
  • illegal gambling
  • jail visit
  • mother arrested
  • con man
  • convenience store robbery
  • epilogue
+27 more
  • female pastor
  • co written by director
  • slim jim
  • adult man young girl relationship
  • father daughter estrangement
  • 11 year old girl
  • baby carriage
  • popcorn box
  • angina
  • auto repossession
  • blow hole
  • storytelling
  • church camp
  • moonshine
  • blue food coloring
  • motel
  • countdown clock
  • car theft
  • wheelchair
  • fraud
  • religious scam
  • juvenile detention center
  • laundry truck
  • corrupt politician
  • tax evasion
  • road trip
  • bare chested male
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Cast & crew

Ana Cast & Characters

Dafne Keen leads the cast as Ana, with Andy Garcia as Rafa and Ramón Franco as Diego. Directed by Charles McDougall; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Charles McDougall

More films directed by Charles McDougall: Surrender, Dorothy, Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss, Sunday and Hillsborough.

Full filmography
Ratings

Ana Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Ana 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Ana Echo Score Breakdown

Ana's strengths lie in its heartfelt tone and strong performances, though the narrative occasionally feels predictable and uneven. Direction delivers warm humor and intimate moments but falters with pacing lapses amid the film’s slightly meandering plot. The visual design presents vivid Puerto Rico settings with cohesive aesthetics, while character chemistry sustains engagement even when story developments lag. Overall, 'Ana' offers an engaging yet modest road movie experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of cinematography and production design, Ana presents vivid imagery of Puerto Rico that captures both lush landscapes and weathered urban environments. The direction maintains consistent visual coherence, balancing the film’s warmer daytime sequences with more subdued interiors. Some scenes feel slightly undercut by modest production values, yet the overall visual approach enhances the narrative’s intimate atmosphere and geographic authenticity.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    In terms of acting and emotional resonance, Ana benefits from compelling performances that drive the film’s central relationship. Andy Garcia delivers a measured portrayal of a beleaguered adult, while Dafne Keen provides a nuanced performance full of spontaneity and subtle vulnerability. Their on-screen chemistry consistently elevates otherwise routine moments, creating an affecting bond that anchors the narrative’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of plot and cohesion, Ana follows a familiar road movie structure with moments of heartfelt connection. The narrative’s pacing is uneven, featuring engaging interpersonal developments that intermittently give way to sections that feel predictable or underdeveloped. Originality is limited by conventional buddy-drama tropes, yet the central premise of mutual discovery offers sufficient engagement to maintain viewer interest through most of the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory design, Ana utilizes a restrained soundscape that supports the film’s subdued tone without drawing undue attention. The musical choices underscore emotional beats without overpowering dialogue, contributing to a unified audiovisual texture. Visually, the color palette remains consistent, favoring naturalistic hues that reinforce the setting’s authenticity. This cohesive blend of sound and visuals enhances the film’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, Ana offers an accessible viewing experience that benefits from its warm performances and scenic backdrop. The film’s modest scope and familiar structure may limit its appeal over multiple viewings, yet character dynamics and intermittent humor provide moments that can reward a second screening. While not densely layered, the film retains gentle appeal for audiences drawn to character-driven narratives.

Plot

Ana Plot Summary

What happens in Ana from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

After the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico faces a harsh economic downturn and a climate of desperation. In San Juan, Rafa Rodriguez struggles as a car salesman who moved from Florida after a rift with his own children, trying to keep his business and his life afloat in a difficult era. His life takes a sudden turn when he meets 11-year-old Ana, who is hiding across the street from his lot after her mother’s arrest.

Full summary

The whole story of Ana, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Ana Box Office

Ana grossed $31.6 million worldwide. $7.7 million came from the US and Canada and $23.9 million (76%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$31.6M

US & Canada
$7.7M
International
$23.9M
US & Canada 24% Rest of the world 76%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ana?

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

In which U.S. territory does the story take place?

Cars

Cars in Ana

96 cars on screen, including the 1989 Lincoln Town Car and the 1992 Ford Bronco.

All 96 cars
  • 1989 Lincoln Town Car in Ana 1989 Lincoln Town Car Featured role
  • 1992 Ford Bronco in Ana 1992 Ford Bronco Minor role
  • 1978 Ford F-350 in Ana 1978 Ford F-350 Minor role
  • 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty in Ana 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty Minor role
Details

Ana Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “The Guardian” and “아나”.

Also known as
  • The Guardian
  • 아나
  • 安娜
  • Ана

Seen Ana?

FAQ

Ana FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Ana?

Ana runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Ana released?

Ana was released on January 3, 2020.

Who directed Ana?

Ana was directed by Charles McDougall.

More films by Charles McDougall

Who is in the cast of Ana?

Ana stars Dafne Keen as Ana, Andy Garcia as Rafa and Ramón Franco as Diego, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Ana make at the box office?

Ana grossed $31.6 million worldwide ($7.7 million domestic, $23.9 million international).

How is Ana rated?

Ana has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 72% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Ana have a post-credit scene?

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

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