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Biographical drama

Back to Black (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Back to Black (2024) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
35%
worldwide gross
$51M
Echo Score
56
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Back to Black (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Music
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Back to Black

· 16 more
From the director

More from Sam Taylor-Johnson

More films directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, best-rated first: A Million Little Pieces and Fifty Shades of Grey.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

56 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$51M

1.7× its budget

US & Canada
$6.2M
International
$44.8M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 12% Rest of the world 88%
Videos

Back to Black Trailers & Videos

20 videos: 3 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 7 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 20 videos
International Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Teaser Brits TV Spot
  • Teaser Watch at Home Now
Quiz

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

  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 instrument did Amy Winehouse famously play?

Details

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
  • Back to Black: Amy lugu

Seen Back to Black?

FAQ

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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