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Sci-fi thriller

Astral (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Astral (2018) movie poster

Astral is a 2018 sci-fi thriller directed by Chris Mul, starring Catherine Steadman as Claire Harmann, Frank Dillane and Darwin Shaw. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes and earned $680,649 worldwide on a $65,000 budget. IMDb users rate it 4.6/10.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
worldwide gross
$680.6K
Echo Score
32
budget
$65K
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Astral (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Chris Mul
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$65K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Astral About?

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

Haunted by his mother’s unexpected death, Alex seeks answers in the realm of metaphysics and astral projection. He hopes to connect with the afterlife, but his attempts inadvertently open a doorway for dangerous entities. These malevolent forces begin to infiltrate his world, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare, and exposing long-buried secrets within his family's history.

Astral Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • student
  • fear
  • out of body experience
  • astral projection
  • devil
  • ghost
  • jinn
  • reference to the quran
  • god
  • reference to the bible
  • clairvoyance
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Cast & crew

Astral Cast & Characters

Catherine Steadman leads the cast as Claire Harmann, with Frank Dillane as Alex Harmann and Darwin Shaw as Joel Harmann. Directed by Chris Mul; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Astral

· 6 more
Ratings

Astral Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Astral 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 32/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

32 /100

Astral Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s overall execution demonstrates ambitious concept work but is undermined by uneven pacing and an unsatisfying resolution. Observers note that initial scenes build a subdued tension yet long stretches lack substantive development, resulting in a narrative that feels halting. Performances are intermittently engaging but frequently undercut by blunt plotting and abrupt conclusions. In sum, Astral offers intriguing ideas that remain unfulfilled in its cumulative experience.

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, the film exhibits moments of thoughtful framing and visual cohesion but is hampered by uneven editing. While several sequences benefit from understated lighting and a coherent color palette, the editing often allows shots to linger, disrupting momentum. The direction occasionally suggests a clear aesthetic vision, yet budgetary constraints leave some production elements feeling sparse. Overall, the art and craft achieve modest impact.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble shows occasional charisma but generally lacks depth. The cast displays likability in isolated scenes, yet many performances feel unpolished or overly reserved. Character relationships do little to foster emotional resonance, as secondary figures remain underexplored and fail to create meaningful chemistry. In summary, the film’s character and emotional engagement remain limited.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative struggles with pacing and payoff despite a promising premise. Early sequences build quiet tension, but long stretches pass without substantial development, and the abrupt conclusion undermines the stakes. Plot coherence suffers from unresolved threads, leaving critical elements feeling undeveloped. Overall, the story and flow deliver an uneven experience.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    When evaluating the sensory experience, the film delivers minimal atmospheric tension and scarce auditory impact. The soundtrack and sound design rarely contribute to a haunting atmosphere, and jump scares are largely absent. Visual style shows occasional cohesion in lighting and composition but lacks the immersive detail needed for sustained engagement. In summary, the sensory elements remain subdued.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers limited appeal for subsequent viewing. The unresolved ending and lack of substantive payoff diminish the incentive to revisit the narrative, and minimal character depth reduces emotional investment over time. While the central concept retains some intrigue, repeated viewings reveal the pacing flaws and narrative gaps that curtail lasting interest. Overall, rewatch appeal is low.

Plot

Astral Plot Summary

What happens in Astral from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Claire Harmann [Catherine Steadman] is released from a psychiatric hospital. Her little boy and husband see her mysteriously drawn to enter the attic one night. The boy learns afterward that she has died.

Full summary

The whole story of Astral, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Astral Box Office & Budget

Astral grossed $680,649 worldwide on a $65,000 budget, 10 times what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$680.6K

10× its budget

International
$680.6K
Budget
$65K
Videos

Astral Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Astral.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Astral?

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 name of the main protagonist who attempts astral projection?

Details

Astral Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Astrální projekce” and “Астрал: Новое измерение”.

Also known as
  • Astrální projekce
  • Астрал: Новое измерение
  • Астрал 4: Последният превключвател
  • Астрал: Новий вимір
  • Astral: Nowy wymiar
  • 星体魂离
  • Astral Boyut
  • 星界離魂, ასტრალი

Seen Astral?

FAQ

Astral FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Astral?

Astral runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Astral released?

Astral was released on November 23, 2018.

Who directed Astral?

Astral was directed by Chris Mul.

Who is in the cast of Astral?

Astral stars Catherine Steadman as Claire Harmann, Frank Dillane as Alex Harmann and Darwin Shaw as Joel Harmann, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Astral make at the box office?

Astral grossed $680,649 worldwide on a budget of $65,000.

How is Astral rated?

Astral has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 47% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Astral have a post-credit scene?

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

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