Antigone (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- 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
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
-
Director Sophie Deraspe
- Nahéma Ricci as Antigone Hipponome
- Mathieu Ruel as Gardiens au palais de justice
- Lise Chenier as Policiers - mort Étéocle
- Hakim Brahimi as Étéocle
Also Starring in Antigone
· 56 more- Samy Ghezali Jeunes gang Polynice
- Rawad El-Zein Polynice
- Nour Belkhiria Ismène
- Jessica Falaise Membres des Habibis
- Antoine Desrochers Hémon
- L. Fernando Becerra Sánchez Étéocles's friend
- Paul Doucet Christian
- Sébastien Beaulac Gardien de prison
- Pierre Bédard Gardiens de prison
- Natalie Tannous Juge
- Jean-Sébastien Courchesne Maître O'Neil
- Benoît Gouin Enquêteur
- Martin Desgagné Détenus
- Lise Castonguay Psychiatre
- Kathleen Fortin Lyne, gardienne
- Éric Clark CBSA Officer
Show all 60 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Karine Ricard Détenue en cellule
- Isabelle Lavigne Policière - berthillonage
- Zalfa Chelhot Policière
- Athéna Henry Antigone à 3 ans
- Jean-Philippe Malaket Agent de sécurité à l'aéroport
- Nicolas Scholtus-Champagne Policiers - arrestation
- André Latour Constables spéciaux
- Rachida Oussaada Ménécée
- Béatrice Mercier Professeure d'Antigone
- Sarah Kenny Ismène à 6 ans
- Youssef Zellag Polynice à 5 ans
- Mathis Pommainville Étéocle à 8 ans
- Jimmy-Joe Gebrael Jeunes gang Polynice
- Ajouna Bao-Lavoie Policiers - mort Étéocle
- Jérémy Hurteau Policiers - mort Étéocle
- Dominic Couture Policiers - mort Étéocle
- Christian Jodoin Préposé à la morgue
- Daniel Dulac Gardiens au salon funéraire
- Éric Pimparé Gardiens au salon funéraire
- Nesrine Argoub Membres des Habibis
- Benmoussa Massinissa Chauffeur (Algérie)
- Kadri Belaid Hommes de main (Algérie)
- Chilka Llaziz Hommes de main (Algérie)
- Samuel Lamarre Tatoueur
- Stéphane Hogue Gardiens de prison
- Rémy-Will Nicolas Gardiens de prison
- Pier-Luc Lapointe Gardiens de prison
- Nicolas Panneton Gardiens de prison
- Steve Proulx Détenus
- Henley Coulombe Policiers - arrestation d'Antigone
- André-Anne du Cap Policiers - arrestation d'Antigone
- Martin Lefebvre Policier en veston
- Patrick Choquette Policiers - arrestation
- Lynda Gagné Détenue en cellule
- Berline Dorleans Gardiens au palais de justice
- Valérie Mantha Greffière
- Catherine Larochelle Maître Julie Hédouin
- Davyd Tousignant Constables spéciaux
- Camille Deslauriers Ménard Émilie
- Émilie Julien Chantal
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.
Antigone Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (80).
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.
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
Antigone Box Office & Budget
Antigone grossed $123,645 worldwide on a $3.5 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$123.6K
- International
- $123.6K
- Budget
- $3.5M
Antigone Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Antigone.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the surname of the refugee family featured in the film?
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?
Movies Like Antigone
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Antigone, Antigone/Rites of Passion and Antigone.
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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