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Documentary

Bending the Arc (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Bending the Arc (2017) movie poster

Bending the Arc is a 2017 documentary directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, starring Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $36,586 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.

IMDb rating
8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$36.6K
Echo Score
85
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Bending the Arc (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Directors
Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bending the Arc About?

The premise of Bending the Arc without spoilers.

This documentary follows a group of dedicated doctors and activists as they work to transform healthcare in a remote Haitian village. Over three decades, their grassroots initiative expands into a global movement, facing increasing challenges and highlighting the fight for essential, life-saving medical care. The film explores their commitment and the impact of their work on a community in need.

Bending the Arc Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • battle
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Cast & crew

Bending the Arc Cast

Paul Farmer leads the cast, with Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho. Directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bending the Arc

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos

More films directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, best-rated first: The Devil's Miner, The Ivory Game, The White House Effect and A LEGO Brickumentary.

Ratings

Bending the Arc Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bending the Arc 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (75).

85 /100

Bending the Arc Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Bending the Arc excels as an uplifting documentary that highlights perseverance over institutional obstacles. It synthesizes archival footage and present-day interviews to maintain a coherent and engaging narrative across decades. The film achieves consistent emotional resonance by focusing on the real-life dedication of its subjects, though occasional shifts into a sentimental score can feel overemphasized. On balance, it offers a compelling and instructive look at global health advocacy with enduring inspirational value.

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 cinematography and editing, the film delivers crisp framing of archival sequences and present-day interviews, lending clarity to its historical narrative. Direction remains focused and unobtrusive, while editing weaves disparate time periods into a cohesive whole. Occasional use of promotional-style montages introduces a hint of artifice. Overall, the film presents a polished yet straightforward visual craft.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth and emotional engagement, the documentary presents its protagonists with measured care, allowing their personal commitment to emerge naturally. Interviews convey authentic motivation and camaraderie among the healthcare advocates. With minimal dramatization, the film fosters empathy for its subjects. Overall, these nuanced portrayals anchor the narrative in genuine human resolve.

  • Story & Flow 85

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the film unfolds in a clear chronological structure that maintains momentum across decades. It balances historical context with personal anecdotes, avoiding informational overload. Occasional narrative repetition slightly diminishes forward drive, but thematic consistency ensures engagement. Overall, the story remains compelling in illustrating sustained action against systemic barriers.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In the realm of sensory experience, visual continuity is strengthened by high-quality archival footage and well-lit interview settings. The overall aesthetic remains restrained, complementing the subject matter. By contrast, the musical score occasionally adopts a heavy-handed tone that competes with on-screen testimony. Overall, the film’s auditory design is serviceable but at times overstates its emotional cues.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    In terms of rewatch potential and lasting appeal, the documentary’s inspirational narrative invites repeated viewing for its educational value. The dedication of its subjects and the unfolding global health breakthroughs retain relevance. While some stylistic choices feel documentary-standard, the core story continues to resonate. Overall, the film offers enduring insight for audiences revisiting its themes.

Box office

Bending the Arc Box Office

Bending the Arc grossed $36,586 worldwide. $21,907 came from the US and Canada and $14,679 (40%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$36.6K

US & Canada
$21.9K
International
$14.7K
US & Canada 60% Rest of the world 40%

Seen Bending the Arc?

FAQ

Bending the Arc FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bending the Arc, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bending the Arc?

Bending the Arc runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Bending the Arc released?

Bending the Arc was released on October 6, 2017.

Who directed Bending the Arc?

Bending the Arc was directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos.

More films by Kief Davidson

Who is in the cast of Bending the Arc?

Bending the Arc stars Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Bending the Arc make at the box office?

Bending the Arc grossed $36,586 worldwide ($21,907 domestic, $14,679 international).

How is Bending the Arc rated?

Bending the Arc has 8.0/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Does Bending the Arc have a post-credit scene?

No. Bending the Arc has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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