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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

BlackBerry (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

BlackBerry (2023) movie poster

BlackBerry is a 2023 biographical drama starring Jay Baruchel as Mike, Glenn Howerton and Saul Rubinek. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$2M
Echo Score
75
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BlackBerry (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , History , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is BlackBerry About?

The premise of BlackBerry without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

This biographical comedy follows a team of tech innovators as they strive to revolutionize mobile communication. Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) lead the charge, partnering to create the iconic BlackBerry. The film explores their journey, highlighting the ambition, innovation, and challenges they faced in bringing this groundbreaking device to the world.

BlackBerry Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 2000s
  • 1990s
  • business
  • office
  • smartphone
  • mobile phone
  • year 1996
  • 20th century
  • canada
  • cell phone
  • telephone
  • technology
+38 more
  • 21st century
  • work
  • marketing
  • canadian business
  • technology company
  • blackberry cell phone
  • national hockey league
  • waterloo ontario
  • rise and fall
  • anger
  • yelling
  • meeting
  • ends with text
  • male protagonist
  • private plane
  • travel
  • watching a movie
  • based on book
  • based on true story
  • white hair
  • blackberry
  • dramedy
  • blackberry phone
  • phonebooth
  • securities exchange commission
  • stock fraud
  • reorganization
  • production standards
  • iphone
  • business presentation
  • communications network
  • threatened hostile takeover
  • hubris
  • business executive
  • f word
  • profanity
  • workplace drama
  • financial drama
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Cast & crew

BlackBerry Cast & Characters

Jay Baruchel leads the cast as Mike, with Glenn Howerton as Jim and Saul Rubinek as John Woodman.

Ratings

BlackBerry Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave BlackBerry 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (83) and weakest in story & flow (65).

75 /100

BlackBerry Echo Score Breakdown

BlackBerry delivers a compelling look at the rise and fall of a once‑dominant tech company, anchored by standout performances that elevate the material. Critics highlight the film’s smart observation of corporate dynamics, while viewers appreciate its humor and occasional nostalgic resonance. However, the narrative pacing feels rushed, and some technical sequences appear over‑styled. Overall, the picture succeeds in portraying its subject with energy, though it leaves room for a tighter structure and deeper character nuance.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows competent direction and a recognizable visual style that evokes a corporate atmosphere. Critics note the “fussy aesthetic” and an occasionally shaky camera, but also praise the effective framing of ensemble scenes. The editing supports the brisk timeline, though some moments feel hastily cut. Consequently, the technical execution is solid yet uneven, yielding a moderate overall impression.

  • Character & Emotion 83

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are the film’s strongest asset. Glenn Howerton’s portrayal of a ruthless executive and several supporting actors receive consistent acclaim for nuance and charisma. Reviewers also acknowledge occasional stereotypical or under‑developed secondary roles, but the ensemble’s chemistry largely compensates. This results in a largely positive assessment of the film’s acting and emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative chronicles BlackBerry’s ascent and decline with a mix of drama and comedy. Critics describe the plot as watchable yet note that the pacing accelerates toward the end, leaving the conclusion feeling abrupt. Some viewers suggest the film would benefit from a longer format to fully explore its complexities. The overall storytelling is engaging but sporadically uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In the sensory domain, the soundtrack and sound design receive positive remarks for enhancing the corporate setting and underscoring key moments. Viewers highlight the memorable score, while critics mention an “electronic noise” backdrop that adds texture without overwhelming. Visual elements, such as the muted color palette, contribute to an authentic period feel. The sensory experience therefore supports the film’s tone effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Assessing rewatch factor, the film’s humor and strong lead performances encourage repeat viewings for fans of tech‑industry stories. Some audience members suggest a series format would have allowed deeper exploration, and a few find the pacing a deterrent to full re‑engagement. Nonetheless, the blend of factual intrigue and entertainment value grants the movie a respectable lasting appeal.

Plot

BlackBerry Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in BlackBerry 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film charts the evolution of mobile communication, which has been progressing towards satellite technology and handheld devices since the 1980s. Set in Waterloo, 1996, we follow Mike Lazaridis, the CEO of Research in Motion (RIM), alongside his inventive partner Douglas Fregin, as they gear up to present their innovative “PocketLink” device to the ambitious businessman Jim Balsillie.

As they prepare for the presentation, tensions rise when Lazaridis is distracted by the incessant buzzing of Balsillie’s China-made intercom. RIM is known for its unique culture, combining nerdy enthusiasm with professionalism, as they design hardware systems that promise to revolutionize communication by integrating a cell phone, pager, and email into one device. However, their initial pitch falls flat.

Full summary

The whole story of BlackBerry, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

BlackBerry Box Office & Budget

BlackBerry grossed $2 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 41% of what it cost. $1.5 million came from the US and Canada and $571,053 (28%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

41% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.5M
International
$571.1K
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 72% Rest of the world 28%
Videos

BlackBerry Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 8 teasers and 1 featurette.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Teaser Jay Quote 27
  • Teaser Story 30
  • Teaser BB 15
Quiz

How Well Do You Know BlackBerry?

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 was the original name of the BlackBerry device?

Details

BlackBerry Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “BlackBerry: The Limited Series” and “بلاك بيري”.

Also known as
  • BlackBerry: The Limited Series
  • بلاك بيري
  • 블랙베리
  • БлекБеррі
  • Кто убил BlackBerry?
  • Blackberry: El Inicio De La Historia
  • 黑莓
  • BlackBerry - Klick einer Generation
  • בלקברי
  • Блекбери
  • แบล็กเบอร์รี่
  • ブラックベリー

Seen BlackBerry?

FAQ

BlackBerry FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is BlackBerry?

BlackBerry runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was BlackBerry released?

BlackBerry was released on May 12, 2023.

Who is in the cast of BlackBerry?

BlackBerry stars Jay Baruchel as Mike, Glenn Howerton as Jim and Saul Rubinek as John Woodman, among 10 credited actors.

How much did BlackBerry make at the box office?

BlackBerry grossed $2 million worldwide ($1.5 million domestic, $571,053 international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is BlackBerry rated?

BlackBerry has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does BlackBerry have a post-credit scene?

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

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