Back to Black (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Back to Black is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, starring Marisa Abela as Amy, Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $51 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Critics gave it 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 2m (122 min)
- Director
- Sam Taylor-Johnson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- StudioCanal UK
- Budget
- $30M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Back to Black About?
The premise of Back to Black without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
This biopic offers a raw and unflinching look at Amy Winehouse's rise to fame and the creation of her iconic album, Back to Black. Told through her own perspective, the film explores the life and artistry of the fiercely talented singer, delving into the passion and experiences that shaped her creative genius.
Back to Black Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- amy winehouse character
- female nudity
- female frontal nudity
- female rear nudity
- skinny dipping
- female full frontal nudity
- singer
- boots
- knee high boots
- leather boots
- fashion boots
- color in title
+24 more Show fewer
- three word title
- singer as protagonist
- grammy awards ceremony
- husband wife relationship
- british singer
- female singer
- divorced parents
- toxic relationship
- female protagonist
- f word
- title directed by female
- father daughter relationship
- british woman
- title based on song
- drug addiction
- grammy awards nominations
- rhyme in title
- timeframe 2000s
- mother daughter relationship
- based on real people
- docudrama drama
- nude female breasts
- female buttocks nudity
- based on true story
Back to Black Cast & Characters
Marisa Abela leads the cast as Amy, with Eddie Marsan as Mitch and Lesley Manville as Cynthia. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Sam Taylor-Johnson
-
Marisa Abela as Amy -
Eddie Marsan as Mitch -
Lesley Manville as Cynthia - Spike Fearn as Tyler
Also Starring in Back to Black
· 16 more- Sam Buchanan Nick Shymansky
- Jack O'Connell Blake
- Juliet Cowan Janis
- Samuel Anderson A&R Man
- Tuwaine Barrett Salaam
- Harley Bird Juliette
- Michael S. Siegel Uncle Harold
- Thelma Ruby Great Auntie Renee
- Matilda Thorpe Auntie Melody
- Anna Darvas Shelley
- Izaak Cainer Alex
- Pete Lee-Wilson Perfume Paul
- Tracey Lushington Jane
- Ryan O'Doherty Chris
- Francesca Henry Chantelle
- Liv Longborne Catriona
More from Sam Taylor-Johnson
More films directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, best-rated first: A Million Little Pieces and Fifty Shades of Grey.
Back to Black Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Back to Black 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (30).
Back to Black Echo Score Breakdown
Back to Black delivers compelling performances but struggles with a superficial narrative. The direction offers moments of vivid visual detail but often fails to sustain emotional cohesion. In terms of acting, Marisa Abela and the supporting cast are praised for their intensity and authenticity across key scenes. However, the storytelling is frequently criticized for being choppy, incomplete, and uneven in focus. The soundtrack and vocal performances provide genuine resonance. Overall, it remains a biopic of mixed merit, notable for its performances yet hampered by narrative shortcomings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
The film’s art direction presents moments of vivid visual detail but lacks consistent emotional cohesion. Critics note detailed and engrossing sequences, while others find the staging occasionally stilted and uninspired. In terms of cinematography and production design, some scenes resonate with clarity and style, but uneven focus undermines the overall craft. Net impression: a mixed visual palette.
- Character & Emotion 85
Character portrayals stand out as a core strength of the film. Marisa Abela’s performance receives consistent acclaim for its ferocity and authenticity, and the supporting cast earns praise for their emotional resonance. When it comes to acting and character depth, moments of genuine connection emerge despite a limited exploration of inner life. Overall, performances are a definite highlight.
- Story & Flow 30
Story and narrative coherence emerge as the film’s primary weakness. Reviews consistently critique the plot for being choppy, superficial, and incomplete, with key events omitted or glossed over. In terms of pacing and engagement, the focus on select personal moments fails to provide a fully satisfying arc. Net impression: a fragmented and uneven storyline.
- Sensory Experience 75
Sensory elements are a relative strong point, driven by the music and vocal performances. Users highlight the inclusion of Winehouse’s hits and Marisa Abela’s singing as authentic and engaging. When it comes to score and soundtrack, the film offers genuine emotional impact through its musical sequences, even if other audio–visual facets remain underexplored.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Rewatch value is limited by the film’s narrow narrative and superficial exploration of its subject. While performances and musical moments retain their appeal, repeated viewings are unlikely to reveal new insights. In terms of replay enjoyment and lasting appeal, the biopic delivers intermittent interest but lacks depth to warrant frequent revisits. Overall, modest rewatchability.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
31411 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 35% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 84%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 43 Metascore
User score 5.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.6 /5
201817 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Back to Black Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Back to Black 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
The film begins by exploring Amy Winehouse’s ( Marisa Abela ) Jewish roots, highlighting the musical influence of her father, Mitch ( Eddie Marsan ), and her grandmother, Cynthia ( Lesley Manville ). Their shared passion for music sets a vibrant backdrop. As Amy’s close friend, Tyler James, presents a demo tape to his manager, Nick Shymansky ( Sam Buchanan ), it’s clear that Amy’s remarkable talent will soon shine. After signing with Island Records, she releases her debut album, Frank (2003), navigating her way through the highs of acclaim and attention.
Full summary
The whole story of Back to Black, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Back to Black Box Office & Budget
Back to Black grossed $51 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 1.7 times what it cost. $6.2 million came from the US and Canada and $44.8 million (88%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$51M
1.7× its budget
- US & Canada
- $6.2M
- International
- $44.8M
- Budget
- $30M
Back to Black Trailers & Videos
20 videos: 3 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 7 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Trailer New Trailer
- Teaser Brits TV Spot
- Teaser Watch at Home Now
How Well Do You Know Back to Black?
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 instrument did Amy Winehouse famously play?
Back to Black Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Емі Вайнгауз: Back To Black” and “איימי ווינהאוס”.
- Also known as
-
- Емі Вайнгауз: Back To Black
- איימי ווינהאוס
- באק טו באלק
- بازگشت به سیاهی, volver a negro
- 백 투 블랙
- Обратно во мрак
- Back to Black. Historia Amy Winehouse
- איימי ויינהאוס BACK TO BLACK
- 回到黑暗
- 黑色會
- Back to Black: Povestea lui Amy Winehouse
- Ейми Уайнхаус: Завръщане в черно
+1 more Show fewer
- Back to Black: Amy lugu
Seen Back to Black?
Movies Like Back to Black
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Amy, Backstage and Paint It Black.
Back to Black FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Back to Black, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Back to Black?
Back to Black runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).
When was Back to Black released?
Back to Black was released on May 17, 2024.
Who directed Back to Black?
Back to Black was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.
More films by Sam Taylor-Johnson Who is in the cast of Back to Black?
Back to Black stars Marisa Abela as Amy, Eddie Marsan as Mitch and Lesley Manville as Cynthia, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Back to Black make at the box office?
Back to Black grossed $51 million worldwide ($6.2 million domestic, $44.8 million international) on a budget of $30 million.
How is Back to Black rated?
Back to Black has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does Back to Black have a post-credit scene?
No. Back to Black has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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