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Action thriller

Arcadian (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Arcadian (2024) movie poster

Arcadian is a 2024 action thriller directed by Benjamin Brewer, starring Nicolas Cage as Paul, Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
Echo Score
50
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Arcadian (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Benjamin Brewer
Genres
Action , Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Arcadian About?

The premise of Arcadian without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a desolate near-future, Paul (Nicolas Cage) and his sons struggle to survive in a world consumed by nightly terror. They’ve established a fragile existence, but must confront an ancient evil that relentlessly hunts them as darkness falls, jeopardizing their precarious safety and the last vestiges of humanity's hope.

Arcadian Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • apocalypse
  • creature
  • post apocalyptic world
  • underground creature
  • twin sons
  • sons
  • farmhouse
  • teenage boy
  • teenage boys
  • survival
  • futuristic
  • remote farmhouse
+24 more
  • father
  • terrors
  • single father
  • underground creatures
  • carnage
  • dispair
  • family relationships
  • filmed in ireland
  • attacked
  • monster
  • underground monsters
  • underground monster
  • end of the world
  • girl
  • girlfriend
  • teenage girl
  • sci fi thriller
  • farm girl
  • killer creature
  • killer creatures
  • tragedy
  • fortified farm
  • monster horror
  • domestic drama
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Cast & crew

Arcadian Cast & Characters

Nicolas Cage leads the cast as Paul, with Jaeden Martell as Joseph and Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas. Directed by Benjamin Brewer; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Arcadian

· 4 more
From the director

More from Benjamin Brewer

More films directed by Benjamin Brewer, best-rated first: The Trust and A Folded Ocean.

Full filmography
Ratings

Arcadian Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Arcadian 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

50 /100

Arcadian Echo Score Breakdown

Arcadian delivers a mixed post-apocalyptic creature feature that balances effective monster design with uneven execution. The premise and unsettling creature aesthetics receive praise, but critics note weak character development, a patchy script and moments of confusing cinematography. While some find the family dynamics engaging and the scares impactful, others point out frenzied editing, dark visuals and a lack of narrative cohesion that undermine the film’s potential. Ultimately, Arcadian remains a middling thriller that offers interesting ideas but falls short of consistently engaging viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, Arcadian presents striking monster designs but uneven visual execution. Several reviewers commend the imaginative creature work and effective post-apocalyptic set dressing, yet rapid cuts, dim lighting and occasionally jarring special effects disrupt the visual flow. The direction demonstrates familiarity with genre conventions, but technical inconsistencies undercut cohesion and polish.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    In terms of character and emotion, Arcadian struggles with underdeveloped protagonists and uneven performances. While some acknowledge quiet dramatic moments and a compassionate father‐son dynamic, critics highlight bland characterizations and limited chemistry, especially during extended absences of key figures. Stronger acting from supporting actors offers occasional emotional resonance, but the core relationships lack sufficient depth for full engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    When it comes to story and flow, Arcadian’s intriguing premise is hampered by a patchy script and inconsistent pacing. The early post‐apocalyptic setup and thematic focus on family draw interest, but numerous shortcuts, clichés and unexplained narrative rules create confusion. The third act’s descent into ludicrous set pieces further undermines engagement. Overall, the plot holds promise but fails to maintain coherent momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, Arcadian offers effective creature scares enhanced by an ominous soundscape, though audio design receives little specific mention. The film’s visual style showcases inspired monster aesthetics and a muted color palette, yet frequent dark framing and shaky camerawork hinder clarity. As a result, the sensory elements oscillate between compelling horror imagery and moments of disorienting murkiness.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When considering rewatch factor, Arcadian’s novel creature designs and concise runtime encourage a return viewing, but its narrative flaws limit lasting appeal. Viewers may revisit scenes of family drama and striking monster sequences, yet the film’s uneven pacing, dim visuals and forgettable character arcs reduce its overall replay value. Consequently, the movie offers modest incentive for repeated viewings.

Plot

Arcadian Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Arcadian from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Paul is seen desperately searching for supplies in a storehouse, trying to elude the chaos of a catastrophic event. Sirens wail, distant explosions rumble, and cries of panic fill the air as he clutches his two infant sons close, offering them words of comfort amid the overwhelming fear, reassuring them that all will be well.

Fast forward fifteen years—much of humanity has been decimated by a relentless pandemic, leading to the collapse of society. Paul, alongside his twin boys, Joseph and Thomas, find themselves navigating life in a dilapidated farmhouse. During the daylight, they scavenge whatever they can, only to retreat at nightfall to defend themselves against horrific creatures that thrive in the dark.

Full summary

The whole story of Arcadian, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Arcadian Box Office

Arcadian grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $828,919 came from the US and Canada and $406,675 (33%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$828.9K
International
$406.7K
US & Canada 67% Rest of the world 33%
Videos

Arcadian Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer and 5 clips.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip "Are We Not Men?"
  • Clip "Where's Your Brother?"
  • Clip "Want To Play?"
  • Clip "Hide"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Arcadian?

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 leads to Paul fleeing through the storehouse with his infant sons?

Details

Arcadian Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Sand and Stones” and “沙与石”.

Also known as
  • Sand and Stones
  • 沙与石
  • دهاتی
  • 아케이디언
  • 아카디언
  • 아르카디안
  • 아르카디언
  • Arcadian - Sie kommen in der Nacht
  • Después del Apocalipsis
  • 末世生存者
  • Судная ночь в Аркадии, არკადიელი
  • Khi Mặt Trời Lặn
+14 more
  • Amikor leszáll az éj
  • Аркадіанець
  • Arkadija
  • 世外桃源
  • Písek a kamení
  • Аркадиан
  • Depois do Apocalipse
  • 아카디안
  • Tuż po zmroku
  • روستایی
  • ナイト・オブ・アルカディアン
  • Челюсти в мрака
  • הם באים בלילה
  • Arcadian – Invasão Sombria

Seen Arcadian?

FAQ

Arcadian FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Arcadian?

Arcadian runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Arcadian released?

Arcadian was released on April 12, 2024.

Who directed Arcadian?

Arcadian was directed by Benjamin Brewer.

More films by Benjamin Brewer

Who is in the cast of Arcadian?

Arcadian stars Nicolas Cage as Paul, Jaeden Martell as Joseph and Maxwell Jenkins as Thomas, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Arcadian make at the box office?

Arcadian grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($828,919 domestic, $406,675 international).

How is Arcadian rated?

Arcadian has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Arcadian have a post-credit scene?

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

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