Babylon (2019): Cast, Ratings & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Franco Rosso
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Kino Lorber
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
- Director Franco Rosso
- Brinsley Forde as Blue
- Brian Bovell as Scientist
- Trevor Laird as Beefy
- Karl Howman as Ronnie
Also Starring in Babylon
· 6 more- Archie Pool Dreadhead
- Victor Romero Evans Lover
- Ann Duncan Beefy's Girl
- Beverley Dublin Sandra
- David N. Haynes Errol
- Beverley Michaels Elaine
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).
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.
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Rotten Tomatoes 57% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 52%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 4.5
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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
- 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 animal did Manny and his partner attempt to transport to the party?
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?
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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