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Drama

Ava (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Ava (2018) movie poster

Ava is a 2018 drama directed by Sadaf Foroughi, starring Mahour Jabbari as Ava, Leili Rashidi and Vahid Aghapoor. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $497,676 worldwide on a $2.8 million budget. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Discovery Prize at the TIFF 2017. Critics gave it 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
21%
worldwide gross
$497.7K
award won
1
Ava (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Sadaf Foroughi
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$2.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ava About?

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

A bright and ambitious teenager living in Tehran faces the challenges of adolescence while navigating a strict, traditional upbringing. As Ava deals with friendships, music, and school, her overbearing mother's intense scrutiny complicates her life. A spark of rebellion emerges as she pushes against the suffocating expectations of her family and society, seeking self-discovery and a sense of empowerment in a restrictive environment.

Ava Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • teenage sexuality
  • female frontal nudity
  • teenage girl
  • adult actress playing teenage girl
  • female rear nudity
  • 13 year old
  • nudist beach
  • female protagonist
  • coming of age
  • urination
  • sex with a teenage girl
  • tough girl
+38 more
  • first love
  • first aid
  • flashing breasts
  • hairy labia
  • female nudity
  • spread eagle
  • summer
  • black dog
  • single mother
  • loss of eyesight
  • medical condition
  • 2010s
  • written by director
  • rifle
  • blood
  • land yacht
  • nightmare
  • dream sequence
  • rooftop
  • voice over
  • going blind
  • ophthalmologist
  • police arrest
  • arrest
  • public urination
  • summer holiday
  • bunker
  • wolf dog
  • blindness
  • nudism
  • gypsy family
  • teenage crush
  • strong female lead
  • strong female character
  • title directed by female
  • forename as title
  • one word title
  • title spoken by character
Cast & crew

Ava Cast & Characters

Mahour Jabbari leads the cast as Ava, with Leili Rashidi as Ms. Dehkhoda and Vahid Aghapoor. Directed by Sadaf Foroughi; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ava

· 5 more
Ratings

Ava Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ava 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

60 /100

Ava Echo Score Breakdown

The film presents a compelling visual and thematic exploration but suffers from uneven narrative cohesion. It has been praised for its stylistic direction, strong visual grammar, and authentic emotional beats, while its plot coherence and pacing have elicited criticism regarding abrupt tonal shifts and underdeveloped action sequences. Acting receives mixed feedback, with commendation for nuanced performances contrasted with casting misalignments. Overall, the project offers notable artistic ambitions despite its narrative inconsistencies.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers striking visual compositions and assured camera work that underline its thematic depth. Critics highlight the bold production design and meticulous editing, whereas some viewers find action choreography uneven and visual flair inconsistent. These conflicting impressions yield an overall sense of ambitious but occasionally flawed craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers authentic psychological texture and impactful relational moments. Observers note the lead’s nuanced emotional arc and compelling interfamily dynamics, while some viewers question casting choices and find certain portrayals less believable. The result is a character study that resonates in parts but lacks uniform credibility.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative engages with a poignant coming-of-age theme and incisive social commentary. Many appreciate the film’s intense momentum and thematic resonance, yet others point to abrupt pacing shifts, logical inconsistencies, and underdeveloped sequences. Consequently, the plot alternates between engrossing insight and disjointed progression, limiting its overall coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    From a sensory perspective, the film impresses with a distinctive visual style and controlled intensity in its soundscapes. Reviewers commend the evocative soundtrack and sharp visual grammar, though some viewers criticize the clarity of action sequences and sound design during fight scenes. This blend of strengths and weaknesses yields a perceptually engaging but uneven audio-visual experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s thematic layers and stylistic ambitions encourage multiple viewings. Enthusiasts cite the lingering social messages and visual motifs as reasons to revisit, whereas others consider the plot’s unresolved arcs and pacing flaws to diminish lasting appeal. Overall, its rewatch potential is moderate and audience-dependent.

Plot

Ava Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Ava from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ava Faulkner, a woman in recovery from addiction and a former soldier turned assassin, finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of survival. While in France, she captures an English businessman, hoping to uncover the motives behind the contract on his life. As fate would have it, another woman secretly listens in on their conversation, unaware of the risks that lie ahead.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Ava Box Office & Budget

Ava grossed $497,676 worldwide on a $2.8 million budget, 18% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$497.7K

18% of its budget back

International
$497.7K
Budget
$2.8M
Awards

Ava Awards & Nominations

Ava won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Discovery Prize at the TIFF 2017.

1 win2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Ava Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ava.

Trailer AVA dir. Léa Mysius with Eng. subs
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ava?

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 was Ava Faulkner's profession?

Details

Ava Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “アヴァ” and “Ava - Plötzlich erwachsen”.

Also known as
  • アヴァ
  • Ava - Plötzlich erwachsen
  • Ава
  • 아바
  • 艾娃
  • 那年夏天的微光
  • آوا

Seen Ava?

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FAQ

Ava FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Ava?

Ava runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Ava released?

Ava was released on April 27, 2018.

Who directed Ava?

Ava was directed by Sadaf Foroughi.

More films by Sadaf Foroughi

Who is in the cast of Ava?

Ava stars Mahour Jabbari as Ava, Leili Rashidi as Ms. Dehkhoda and Vahid Aghapoor, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Ava make at the box office?

Ava grossed $497,676 worldwide on a budget of $2.8 million.

How is Ava rated?

Ava has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

What awards did Ava win?

Ava won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Discovery Prize at the TIFF 2017.

Does Ava have a post-credit scene?

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

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