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War drama

Beanpole (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Beanpole (2019) movie poster

Beanpole is a 2019 war drama directed by Kantemir Balagov, starring Vasilisa Perelygina as Masha, Viktoriya Miroshnichenko and Andrey Bykov. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 79/100.

worldwide gross
$1.6M
Echo Score
79
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Beanpole (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 14m (134 min)
Director
Kantemir Balagov
Genres
Drama , War
Original language
Russian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Beanpole About?

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

In the besieged city of Leningrad, 1945, two young women named Iya and Masha attempt to find purpose and hope amidst the devastation of World War II. The city lies in ruins, its people struggling with physical and emotional trauma as they try to rebuild their lives and find solace in a world irrevocably changed by conflict.

Beanpole Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • hospital
  • euthanasia
  • year 1945
  • post world war two
  • female protagonist
  • female female kiss
  • female soldier
  • russia
  • leningrad
  • tall woman
  • female veteran
  • friendship between women
+38 more
  • veterans hospital
  • tramway
  • doctor
  • dog
  • ex sniper
  • old man
  • f rated
  • women's bathhouse
  • hero
  • abdominal scar
  • wanting to have a child
  • unwanted sex
  • accidental death
  • trying to get pregnant
  • death of child
  • nurse
  • handicap
  • one word title
  • leningrad soviet union
  • bath
  • little boy
  • mother son relationship
  • sex scene
  • nudity
  • rear nudity
  • vomiting
  • paint
  • dress
  • snow
  • nosebleed
  • pregnancy
  • tram
  • hit by a tram
  • murder
  • female friendship
  • war ruins
  • soviet union
  • nickname
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Cast & crew

Beanpole Cast & Characters

Vasilisa Perelygina leads the cast as Masha, with Viktoriya Miroshnichenko as Iya Sergueeva and Andrey Bykov as Nikolay Ivanovich. Directed by Kantemir Balagov; 23 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Beanpole

· 19 more
Show all 23 cast members
From the director

More from Kantemir Balagov

More films directed by Kantemir Balagov: Tesnota (Closeness) and Closeness.

Full filmography
Ratings

Beanpole Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).

79 /100

Beanpole Echo Score Breakdown

Beanpole presents a meticulously crafted portrait of post‑war Leningrad, distinguished by its visual precision and emotionally resonant performances. Critics highlight the film's technical sophistication and controlled direction, while many viewers commend the acting, though some note the deliberate pacing can feel ponderous. The sensory palette—muted color and intimate framing—deepens the sense of lingering trauma, creating a work that rewards attentive viewing despite its bleak tone. Overall, its artistic ambition outweighs its narrative sluggishness, offering a compelling, if challenging, cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a high level of technical control, with precise cinematography and a restrained production design that evoke the cold austerity of post‑war Leningrad. Critics praise the visual sophistication and deliberate composition, and users note the inspired use of color and intimate camera work. While the pacing can feel measured, the overall aesthetic execution remains strong and contributes significantly to the film’s impact.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are largely praised for their naturalism and depth. Lead actors deliver nuanced portrayals of trauma, and reviewers highlight the intensity of the central relationship without overt sensationalism. Some viewers find a particular character’s behavior ambiguous, but the consensus points to a solid emotional core that anchors the story and enhances its empathetic resonance.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is recognized for its originality and shrewd plotting, offering a fresh perspective on post‑war survival. However, the measured pacing and extended bleak sequences generate mixed reactions, with several reviewers describing the film as ponderous. While the plot’s thematic richness is acknowledged, its slow unfolding detracts from overall engagement for some audiences.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    In the sensory realm, the film’s soundscape and visual style receive strong commendation. Critics note the potent imagery and solid aesthetic execution, and users cite the inspired cinematography and deliberate color palette. The understated sound design complements the stark visuals, reinforcing the atmosphere of lingering trauma. This cohesive sensory approach heightens immersion despite the film’s somber subject matter.

  • Rewatch Factor 71

    For rewatch factor, the film offers lasting appeal to viewers willing to engage with its uncomfortable themes and artistic ambition. Some audiences appreciate its depth and may return for its nuanced performances and visual richness, while others find the pervasive bleakness a barrier to repeat viewings. The overall consensus positions Beanpole as a work with moderate replay value, rewarding for those seeking a challenging, thought‑provoking experience.

Plot

Beanpole Plot Summary

What happens in Beanpole from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At the end of the Second World War, Iya Sergeyevna, Viktoriya Miroshnichenko as a tall nurse nicknamed Beanpole (Дылда), works in a Leningrad hospital under Dr. Nikolai Ivanovich Andrey Bykov. Iya sometimes suffers fits where she is temporarily immobile, just slightly trembling. She lives in a communal apartment with the three-year-old boy Pashka Timofey Glazkov.

One day, Iya accidentally smothers the child to death while suffering an episode. Days later, Masha arrives at Iya’s room, returning in uniform from the front, and asks where her son Pashka is.

Full summary

The whole story of Beanpole, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Beanpole Box Office

Beanpole grossed $1.6 million worldwide. $196,258 came from the US and Canada and $1.4 million (88%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.6M

US & Canada
$196.3K
International
$1.4M
US & Canada 12% Rest of the world 88%
Videos

Beanpole Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

Trailer
  • Trailer Official U.S. Trailer
  • Featurette Kantemir Balagov on Beanpole, the Trauma of WWII, and Human Connection
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Beanpole?

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 is the nickname given to the main character Iya Sergeyevna?

Details

Beanpole Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Dylda” and “Giraffa”.

Also known as
  • Dylda
  • Giraffa
  • Den väldiga kvinnan
  • Une grande fille
  • La ragazza d'autunno
  • Дилда
  • 빈폴
  • 高个儿
  • Violeta
  • Uzun Kız
  • Una gran mujer (Beanpole)
  • Върлината
+12 more
  • Uma Mulher Alta
  • ג'ירפה
  • Ένα Ψηλό Κορίτσι
  • Wysoka dziewczyna
  • Vysoká dívka
  • Beanpole - Den väldiga kvinnan
  • Притка
  • Dlhaňa
  • Đậu Đũa
  • Bohnenstange
  • 戦争と女の顔
  • 裂愛

Seen Beanpole?

FAQ

Beanpole FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Beanpole?

Beanpole runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).

When was Beanpole released?

Beanpole was released on May 16, 2019.

Who directed Beanpole?

Beanpole was directed by Kantemir Balagov.

More films by Kantemir Balagov

Who is in the cast of Beanpole?

Beanpole stars Vasilisa Perelygina as Masha, Viktoriya Miroshnichenko as Iya Sergueeva and Andrey Bykov as Nikolay Ivanovich, among 23 credited actors.

How much did Beanpole make at the box office?

Beanpole grossed $1.6 million worldwide ($196,258 domestic, $1.4 million international).

Does Beanpole have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Beanpole in?

The original language of Beanpole is Russian.

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