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Drama

Babylon (2019): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Babylon (2019) movie poster

Babylon is a 2019 drama directed by Franco Rosso, starring Brinsley Forde as Blue, Brian Bovell and Trevor Laird. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
57%
Echo Score
85
Metascore
80
Babylon (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Franco Rosso
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Babylon About?

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

In 1980s South London, a talented young DJ, Brinsley Forde, strives to realize his musical dreams. However, he faces constant racism and xenophobia from various sources, including his workplace, local community, and even the police, as well as the far-right National Front. The film offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of racial tension during this period, underscored by a vibrant soundtrack of reggae and lovers rock music, featuring contributions from Aswad and other artists.

Cast & crew

Babylon Cast & Characters

Brinsley Forde leads the cast as Blue, with Brian Bovell as Scientist and Trevor Laird as Beefy. Directed by Franco Rosso; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Babylon

· 6 more
Ratings

Babylon Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Babylon 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

85 /100

Babylon Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Babylon delivers a vivid homage to early cinema marked by striking visuals and emotional resonance, though occasionally hindered by uneven pacing and narrative excess. The film’s robust direction and textured production design create a tangible sense of era, while strong performances and a dynamic soundtrack underscore its immersive quality. However, its extended runtime and thematic overload can dilute engagement. Overall, Babylon leaves a lasting impression despite its flaws.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of direction and visual craft, Babylon stands out through its textured cinematography and detailed production design. The film’s urban environments are rendered with a nuanced color palette and measured lighting that evoke the era’s grit and glamour. Editing choices often reinforce the frenetic energy, though occasional transitions can feel abrupt. Overall, the art direction and cinematography establish a compelling period atmosphere.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Babylon features consistently engaging performances, particularly from its leads. The actors imbue their roles with unguarded authenticity, fostering genuine chemistry and subtle emotional beats. Secondary characters occasionally lack development, but the central figures sustain dramatic momentum throughout. Overall, the character work anchors the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Babylon offers an original perspective on the transition from silent films to talkies, enriched by cultural specificity and narrative ambition. The early sections unfold with engaging momentum, though the runtime and symbolic density lead to moments where the script loses steam. Despite predictable character arcs in places, the story retains enough vitality to sustain interest. Overall, the narrative achieves a compelling historical scope with some uneven pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When it comes to sensory experience, Babylon’s soundtrack and sound design are consistently engaging, blending period-appropriate music with immersive audio cues. Visual style is marked by bold color contrasts and textured production elements that heighten emotional impact. The film’s auditory and visual layers often work in harmonious tandem, though the audio mix can occasionally overwhelm dialogue. Overall, the sensory design contributes powerfully to the film’s visceral energy.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch factor, Babylon offers moments of fresh discovery in its rich production detail and nuanced performances. The layered soundtrack and cultural references reward repeated viewings, though the film’s length and thematic density may feel taxing on subsequent watches. While some narrative threads may blur over time, the film’s visual and emotional highlights remain compelling. Overall, Babylon achieves lasting appeal despite occasional viewing fatigue.

Plot

Babylon Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Babylon 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 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the sweltering summer of 1926, the sun-drenched streets of Bel Air become the setting for Manuel “Manny” Torres’ (Diego Calva) tumultuous escapade. Partnering up with a truck driver, they embark on the urgent task of transporting an elephant to an extravagant party hosted by the powerful studio executive Don Wallach (Jeff Garlin). However, trouble brews when the driver misleadingly claims they are carrying a horse instead. Not one to give up easily, Manny cunningly figures out how to manage the elephant’s transport despite the initial lie.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Babylon?

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

What animal did Manny and his partner attempt to transport to the party?

Details

Babylon Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Babylon (2019)” and “巴比伦”.

Also known as
  • Babylon (2019)
  • 巴比伦
  • Вавилон
  • 바빌론
  • بابل
  • 巴比倫
  • Babilónia

Seen Babylon?

FAQ

Babylon FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Babylon?

Babylon runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Babylon released?

Babylon was released on March 8, 2019.

Who directed Babylon?

Babylon was directed by Franco Rosso.

More films by Franco Rosso

Who is in the cast of Babylon?

Babylon stars Brinsley Forde as Blue, Brian Bovell as Scientist and Trevor Laird as Beefy, among 10 credited actors.

How is Babylon rated?

Babylon has 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic, 3.4/5 on Letterboxd and 3.5/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Babylon have a post-credit scene?

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

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