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Drama musical

Annette (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Annette (2021) movie poster

Annette is a 2021 drama musical directed by Leos Carax, starring Devyn McDowell as Annette in Prison, Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes and earned $3.7 million worldwide on a $16.6 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2022. Critics gave it 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
72%
worldwide gross
$3.7M
award nominations
2
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Annette (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 21m (141 min)
Director
Leos Carax
Genres
Drama , Romance , Musical
Original language
English
Budget
$16.6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Annette About?

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

In Los Angeles, a celebrated comedian and a famous opera singer embark on a passionate and complex relationship. Their lives are forever changed with the arrival of their daughter, Annette, whose unusual connection to her parents leads them on a transformative journey filled with both joy and unsettling events. As their glamorous world unravels, they must confront difficult truths about themselves and their relationship.

Annette Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • singer
  • singing
  • male rear nudity
  • forest
  • courtroom
  • prison
  • stand up comedian
  • los angeles california
  • las vegas nevada
  • ghost
  • cunnilingus
  • female topless nudity
+38 more
  • oral sex
  • female full frontal nudity
  • explicit sex scene
  • explicit sex
  • one word title
  • long take
  • laughter
  • helmet
  • playing piano
  • pregnant woman
  • giving birth
  • child star
  • stand up show
  • disturbed man
  • disturbed artist
  • celebrity
  • famous couple
  • stage performance
  • diva
  • dying on stage
  • female singer
  • audience takes part in show
  • awkward situation
  • upsetting stage show
  • breaking the fourth wall by talking to the audience
  • death of wife
  • drowned at sea
  • storm at sea
  • alcohol abuse
  • alcoholic
  • stage smoke
  • celebrity death
  • murder by drowning
  • father in prison
  • puppet
  • objectification of child
  • orchestra conductor
  • unrequited love
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Cast & crew

Annette Cast & Characters

Devyn McDowell leads the cast as Annette in Prison, with Adam Driver as Henry McHenry and Marion Cotillard as Ann Defrasnoux. Directed by Leos Carax; 27 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Leos Carax

More films directed by Leos Carax, best-rated first: Holy Motors, Mauvais Sang, Tokyo! and Pola X.

Full filmography
Ratings

Annette Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Annette 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

Annette Echo Score Breakdown

Annette presents a bold, operatic musical experience that divides opinion but leans toward admiration. Critics highlight its adventurous direction and striking visual design, while some note pretentiousness and uneven pacing. Performances, especially by Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, receive broad praise, though character chemistry feels distant for certain viewers. The narrative’s originality is evident, yet its complexity and length generate mixed reactions. Soundtrack and visual style are generally celebrated, contributing to a film that rewards repeat viewings for those attuned to its experimental tone.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases inventive direction and striking production design. Critics and viewers commend its experimental staging and vivid visual palette, describing it as adventurous and unique. However, some regard the stylized approach as overly pretentious or flat compared to Carax's earlier work. The balance of bold visual choices with occasional perceived excess yields a solid, though not flawless, artistic impression.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When evaluating character and emotion, the lead performances stand out as the film’s strongest asset. Both critics and audiences highlight Adam Driver’s magnetic presence and Marion Cotillard’s nuanced portrayal. Acting is repeatedly praised for its intensity and emotional resonance. Nonetheless, a minority note limited chemistry and difficulty relating to the protagonists, creating a slight dip in overall character assessment.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Story and flow receive mixed feedback, reflecting both admiration for originality and frustration with coherence. Reviewers praise the film’s daring narrative structure and moments of engagement, yet many cite confusing pacing and an overly extended plot. The musical’s thematic ambition is acknowledged, but its execution is seen as uneven, resulting in a moderate story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Sensory experience is generally well-received, driven by a distinctive soundtrack and bold visual style. Critics emphasize the hypnotic music, operatic singing, and striking cinematography. While some users criticize lyrical quality and occasional harshness, the majority celebrate the integration of sound and image, confirming a strong, if not universally perfect, sensory impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Rewatch factor is favorable among fans of experimental cinema but acknowledges limited appeal. Many reviewers recommend revisiting for its layered artistry and emotional payoff, noting that repeated viewings reveal new nuances. Conversely, several viewers caution that the film’s unconventionality may deter repeat engagement for broader audiences, positioning its replay value as solid yet niche.

Plot

Annette Plot Summary

What happens in Annette 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

The film opens with a warm greeting from its director, Leos Carax, and the writers, Sparks, as they invite the audience on a journey through the vibrant streets of Los Angeles. The story centers around Henry McHenry, portrayed by Adam Driver, a stand-up comedian renowned for his outrageous and controversial style. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, Henry shares insights about his recent engagement to Ann Defrasnoux, played by Marion Cotillard, a celebrated opera singer. He reflects on the transformative effect she’s had on him, though he’s unsure of how.

Full summary

The whole story of Annette, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Annette Box Office & Budget

Annette grossed $3.7 million worldwide on a $16.6 million budget, 22% of what it cost.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.7M

22% of its budget back

International
$3.7M
Budget
$16.6M
Awards

Annette Awards & Nominations

Annette earned 2 award nominations, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2022. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Annette Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 4 trailers, 1 teaser and 2 clips.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer #2
  • Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Annette?

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 plays the character of Henry McHenry in the film 'Annette'?

Details

Annette Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “安妮特” and “Anete”.

Also known as
  • 安妮特
  • Anete
  • 아네트
  • Анет
  • Аннетт
  • אנט
  • ANNETTE:星夢戀歌, ანეტი
  • アネット
  • Anetė

Seen Annette?

FAQ

Annette FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Annette?

Annette runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).

When was Annette released?

Annette was released on August 6, 2021.

Who directed Annette?

Annette was directed by Leos Carax.

More films by Leos Carax

Who is in the cast of Annette?

Annette stars Devyn McDowell as Annette in Prison, Adam Driver as Henry McHenry and Marion Cotillard as Ann Defrasnoux, among 27 credited actors.

How much did Annette make at the box office?

Annette grossed $3.7 million worldwide on a budget of $16.6 million.

How is Annette rated?

Annette has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was Annette nominated for any awards?

Annette received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Annette have a post-credit scene?

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

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