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Antigone (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Antigone (2019) movie poster

Antigone is a 2019 drama directed by Sophie Deraspe, starring Nahéma Ricci as Antigone Hipponome, Mathieu Ruel and Lise Chenier. It is partly based on The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles and Robert Fagles. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $123,645 worldwide on a $3.5 million budget. Its Echo Score is 89/100.

worldwide gross
$123.6K
Echo Score
89
budget
$3.5M
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Antigone (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Sophie Deraspe
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
Studio
ACPAV
Budget
$3.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Antigone About?

The premise of Antigone without spoilers, adapted from The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles and Robert Fagles. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Sophie Deraspe’s adaptation reimagines the classic Greek tragedy as a powerful commentary on the immigrant experience in contemporary Montreal. The story follows a woman’s determined quest for justice, exploring themes of family, duty, and the challenges faced by those seeking refuge and belonging in a new land.

Antigone Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • migrant
  • algerian woman
  • quebec canada
  • orphan
  • kabylia algeria
  • killed by police
  • death of brother
  • dead parents
  • police blunder
  • tattoo
  • short haired woman
  • escape from prison
+28 more
  • prison visiting room
  • gangster
  • flashback
  • legal aid
  • social network
  • magistrate
  • court hearing
  • grandmother granddaughter relationship
  • street art
  • revolt against authority
  • juvenile detention
  • stencil
  • viral video
  • solidarity
  • youth activism
  • blind woman
  • panic attack
  • family relationships
  • sex in nature
  • extradition
  • greek tragedy
  • short haired female
  • title directed by female
  • young
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
  • one word title
  • title appears in writing
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Cast & crew

Antigone Cast & Characters

Nahéma Ricci leads the cast as Antigone Hipponome, with Mathieu Ruel as Gardiens au palais de justice and Lise Chenier as Policiers - mort Étéocle. Directed by Sophie Deraspe; 60 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Antigone

· 56 more
Show all 60 cast members
From the director

More from Sophie Deraspe

More films directed by Sophie Deraspe, best-rated first: Missing Victor Pellerin, A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile, The Seven Last Words and Vital Signs.

Full filmography
Ratings

Antigone Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).

89 /100

Antigone Echo Score Breakdown

Antigone delivers a striking contemporary adaptation of the classic play, anchored by a powerful central performance and confident direction. Critics highlight the film's visceral visual style, effective pacing, and resonant thematic focus on race and immigration, which together create an engaging narrative experience. The overall impact is uniformly positive, suggesting strong rewatch potential and lasting relevance.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    The film’s direction is described as confident and smart, translating a 2,500‑year‑old text into a vital cinematic experience. Reviewers note the immediate, visceral visual style and the director’s background in documentary shaping a vibrant aesthetic. Editing and cinematography receive particular praise for contributing to a cohesive, contemporary look, resulting in a high artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    Nahéma Ricci’s performance is repeatedly called magnetic, raw, and emotionally complex, carrying much of the film’s weight. Critics emphasize her nuanced portrayal of Antigone’s defiance and inner conflict, noting how her gaze and presence forge a strong emotional connection. The depth and authenticity of the central character are highlighted as a principal strength of the work.

  • Story & Flow 85

    Critics commend the screenplay for being smart and for updating the ancient narrative to feel contemporary and relevant. The story’s focus on race, poverty, and immigration is praised for its clarity and engagement, though some mention the balance between gender and immigrant representation. Overall, the plot is seen as coherent and compelling.

  • Sensory Experience 83

    The sensory experience is noted for its vibrant color palette and immediate, visceral impact, with sound and visual design supporting the film’s emotional tone. Reviewers appreciate the documentary‑inspired realism that enhances immersion, though specific commentary on music or sound design is limited. The overall sensory cohesion contributes positively to the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The film’s powerful thematic relevance and strong performances suggest lasting appeal, encouraging repeat viewings. Critics describe the work as vital and arresting, implying that its social commentary and artistic execution retain significance over time. While explicit rewatch predictions are sparse, the consensus points toward strong future engagement.

Plot

Antigone Plot Summary

What happens in Antigone from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Quebec, the Hipponomes are a family of refugees from Kabylia, led by their matriarch Méni. Méni’s grandchildren are Étéocle, Polynice, Ismène and Antigone; their parents were killed before the family left their village. While Antigone achieves straight As in high school, Polynice descends into a life of crime with the street gang, the Habibis. One day, Polynice and Étéocle are playing jacks with friends when the police show up; Étéocle is shot and killed and Polynice is arrested for assaulting an officer in the aftermath.

Full summary

The whole story of Antigone, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Antigone Box Office & Budget

Antigone grossed $123,645 worldwide on a $3.5 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$123.6K

International
$123.6K
Budget
$3.5M
Videos

Antigone Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Antigone.

ANTIGONE Trailer | National Canadian Film Day | TIFF 2021
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Antigone?

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 the surname of the refugee family featured in the film?

Details

Antigone Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “אנטיגונה” and “안티고네”.

Also known as
  • אנטיגונה
  • 안티고네
  • 安提戈涅
  • Антигона
  • Antígona - A Resistência está no Sangue
  • בשם האח
  • Antigona
  • Antigoné
  • Antygona
  • Αντιγόνη

Seen Antigone?

FAQ

Antigone FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, the book behind it, post-credit scenes and language of Antigone, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Antigone?

Antigone runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Antigone released?

Antigone was released on September 9, 2019.

Who directed Antigone?

Antigone was directed by Sophie Deraspe.

More films by Sophie Deraspe

Who is in the cast of Antigone?

Antigone stars Nahéma Ricci as Antigone Hipponome, Mathieu Ruel as Gardiens au palais de justice and Lise Chenier as Policiers - mort Étéocle, among 60 credited actors.

How much did Antigone make at the box office?

Antigone grossed $123,645 worldwide on a budget of $3.5 million.

Is Antigone based on a book?

Yes. Antigone is partly adapted from The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles, Robert Fagles and Bernard Knox.

Does Antigone have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Antigone in?

The original language of Antigone is French.

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