Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy

Bad Seeds (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Bad Seeds (2018) movie poster

Bad Seeds is a 2018 comedy starring Kheiron as Wael, Catherine Deneuve and André Dussollier. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $3.1 million worldwide. IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
worldwide gross
$3.1M
Echo Score
78
Loading streaming availability…
Bad Seeds (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genre
Comedy
Original language
French
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bad Seeds About?

The premise of Bad Seeds without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This quirky comedy follows Wael, a resourceful former street urchin who now works as a con artist. He and his adoptive mother, Monique, target Victor in a scheme that quickly spirals out of control. Forced to improvise, they find themselves unexpectedly employed by Victor, working as his secretary and mentoring a group of energetic teenagers.

Bad Seeds Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • banlieue
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Bad Seeds Cast & Characters

Kheiron leads the cast as Wael, with Catherine Deneuve as Monique and André Dussollier as Victor.

Ratings

Bad Seeds Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Bad Seeds 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

Bad Seeds Echo Score Breakdown

Bad Seeds finds its primary strength in character-driven warmth complemented by solid craft, though noticeable pacing unevenness tempers overall coherence. The direction and production design adeptly establish a grounded Parisian milieu, while intermittent sentimentality lingers longer than intended. A sincere blend of humor and heart sustains audience engagement, even as certain plot turns feel foreseeable. Ultimately, the film delivers a predominantly positive viewing experience anchored by strong performances and thoughtful execution.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the direction demonstrates clear purpose through intimate framing and measured pacing. The production design evokes everyday Paris settings effectively, even if visual flair remains subdued. Editing maintains narrative clarity but occasionally allows sentiment to linger longer than necessary. Net effect: craft elements support story without drawing attention to themselves.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances stand out through nuanced portrayals and believable connections. Wael’s interactions with the teens convey gradual trust-building, and Catherine Deneuve’s presence adds seasoned depth. Emotional resonance is heightened by authentic chemistry among the ensemble, even as some supporting arcs feel lightly sketched. Overall, characters drive the film’s heartfelt impact.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film offers an engaging premise in its blend of con artistry and mentorship. Plot progression is generally coherent, but pacing drags in quieter segments, diminishing momentum. Originality emerges in the parallel childhood flashbacks, though these occasionally feel predictable. Ultimately, the narrative provides modest engagement with intermittent lulls.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, the soundtrack underscores emotional beats with unobtrusive warmth and gentle melody. Sound design is clear but does not venture into distinctive territory. Visual style favors naturalistic lighting and restrained color palettes, which support the film’s grounded tone. Overall, sensory elements enhance the mood without becoming prominent.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s heartwarming scenes and character moments offer moderate replay value. Viewers may revisit for particular performances or thematic subtlety, but subdued pacing and occasional narrative predictability could limit repeated engagement. While the core message retains appeal, the lasting impact may wane for those seeking more dynamic or varied experiences.

Plot

Bad Seeds Plot Summary

What happens in Bad Seeds from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Emma Grossman, a nine-year-old girl living with her widowed father, David Grossman, is haunted by a tragic event. One day, she witnesses a cat drown in the fountain just below her bedroom window, which sparks a cascade of dark thoughts. Throughout breakfast, Emma shares her deep desire to earn a Citizenship medal, awarded to a student who truly embodies the values of her school.

Full summary

The whole story of Bad Seeds, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Bad Seeds Box Office

Bad Seeds grossed $3.1 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.1M

International
$3.1M
Videos

Bad Seeds Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bad Seeds.

Bad Seeds / Mauvaises Herbes (2018) - Trailer (English Subs)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bad Seeds?

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

Who is the main character of 'Bad Seeds'?

Cars

Cars in Bad Seeds

9 cars on screen, including the 1964 Ford Country Squire and the 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille.

All 9 cars
  • 1964 Ford Country Squire in Bad Seeds 1964 Ford Country Squire Main role
  • 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Bad Seeds 1974 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Important role
  • 2006 Dodge Charger in Bad Seeds 2006 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 1972 Pontiac LeMans in Bad Seeds 1972 Pontiac LeMans Important role
Details

Bad Seeds Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Mikres apates” and “Wilde Kräuter”.

Also known as
  • Mikres apates
  • Wilde Kräuter
  • Sementes Podres
  • Wśród chwastów
  • Mala hierba
  • Stökiga typer
  • L'erba cattiva
  • Kötü Tohumlar
  • 甜蜜種子
  • Сорняки
  • 甜蜜香草
  • Плевели
+4 more
  • 莠出良才
  • Μικρές απάτες
  • 나쁜 아이들, სარეველები
  • Plevel

Seen Bad Seeds?

FAQ

Bad Seeds FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Bad Seeds, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bad Seeds?

Bad Seeds runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Bad Seeds released?

Bad Seeds was released on December 21, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Bad Seeds?

Bad Seeds stars Kheiron as Wael, Catherine Deneuve as Monique and André Dussollier as Victor, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Bad Seeds make at the box office?

Bad Seeds grossed $3.1 million worldwide.

How is Bad Seeds rated?

Bad Seeds has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 76% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Bad Seeds have a post-credit scene?

No. Bad Seeds has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Bad Seeds in?

The original language of Bad Seeds is French.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app