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Drama

Blame (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Blame (2018) movie poster

Blame is a 2018 drama starring Quinn Shephard as Abigail Grey, Nadia Alexander and Marcia DeBonis. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes. Critics gave it 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Echo Score
68
Metascore
54
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Blame (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blame About?

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

During a new school year at a suburban high school, shy Abigail finds comfort in literature, much to the frustration of the scheming Melissa. When an unexpected casting in Arthur Miller's The Crucible favors Abigail over Melissa, her confidence grows and her connection with Jeremy deepens. However, Melissa's envy intensifies, triggering a series of events that expose unsettling secrets and impact the entire school community.

Blame Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • sex standing up
  • jealous teenager
  • sexual misconduct accusation
  • teensploitation
  • male teacher female student romance
  • adult actress plays a teenage girl
  • inappropriate outfit
  • man fondles a woman's breasts
  • man teenage girl romance
  • vengeance
  • split personality
+38 more
  • apology
  • envy
  • amateur actress
  • female high school principal
  • mother daughter relationship
  • raised middle finger
  • clapping
  • vaping
  • teenage sex
  • sexual fantasy
  • f rated
  • high school
  • coming of age
  • reference to arthur miller
  • male teacher female student relationship
  • substitute teacher
  • drama teacher
  • kiss
  • persecuted girl
  • cross necklace
  • child abuse
  • cheerleader
  • directed by star
  • troubled teenage girl
  • school play
  • teenage girl wears a nightgown
  • undressing
  • male teacher female student kiss
  • sucking someone's finger
  • webcam girl
  • stripping
  • abusive father
  • man teenage girl relationship
  • woman applies makeup
  • teacher student relationship
  • jealousy
  • pregnancy
  • glass uncorn figurine
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Cast & crew

Blame Cast & Characters

Quinn Shephard leads the cast as Abigail Grey, with Nadia Alexander as Melissa Bowman and Marcia DeBonis as Ms. Cohen.

Also Starring in Blame

· 7 more
Ratings

Blame Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blame 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

68 /100

Blame Echo Score Breakdown

While "Blame" demonstrates strong craft in its art direction and character work, it struggles with narrative coherence and pacing. Reviews highlight compelling visual choices and nuanced performances, but many criticize uneven plot development and loose plot threads. The soundtrack and visual style receive moderate praise, though the underlying story leaves some viewers unsatisfied. On balance, the film offers moments of insight but falls short of cohesive execution, resulting in a modest overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art direction and cinematography, "Blame" delivers a visually engaging debut marked by inventive framing and a restrained color palette that underscores the film’s emotional tone. Several reviewers praised Aaron Kovalchik’s lensing and Shephard’s assured directorial choices, though a handful noted occasional pacing issues and uneven editing transitions. Overall, the visual craft adds meaningful depth despite intermittent execution gaps.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotional resonance, "Blame" offers a collection of nuanced performances that capture teenage insecurity and interpersonal power dynamics. The lead delivers a layered portrayal of vulnerability tempered by fleeting confidence, and supporting roles convey credible tension within peer groups. While some critiques point to underdeveloped motivations and occasional detachment, the ensemble chemistry fosters an authentic sense of emotional stakes.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, "Blame" presents moments of genuine engagement but is hindered by unresolved threads and uneven narrative flow. Several viewers and critics noted that plot developments can feel underexplored or abrupt, particularly around the climactic revelations. Although the film introduces thought-provoking themes and inventive metaphors, the execution at times sacrifices clarity and momentum, yielding a moderately disjointed experience.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    When it comes to sensory elements, "Blame" employs a modest soundtrack and sound design that effectively complements its subdued visual style without overwhelming the narrative. Several reviews commend the refined audio mix and occasional score cues, although some viewers found the music choices unspectacular. Visually, the film maintains a consistent aesthetic tone, with measured composition and subtle soundscapes enhancing key emotional moments overall.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch potential, "Blame" offers select scenes and character interactions that merit repeat viewing for their thematic nuance. Some audiences appreciated the film’s layered treatment of teenage dynamics and found that subsequent viewings reveal subtle emotional cues. However, unresolved narrative gaps and an inconsistent pace may limit lasting appeal for many. Overall, the film retains moderate replay value despite its uneven structure.

Plot

Blame Plot Summary

What happens in Blame 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

Abigail begins her journey lying in bed, reluctant to return to high school, referenced only as “MHS”. In her bedroom, she has a copy of “Sybil,” hinting at her struggles. During a meeting with her parents and Ms. Cohen, it is decided that she needs to get back to her routine as soon as possible, with her parents in agreement.

Meanwhile, the character of Melissa, played by Nadia Alexander, is introduced as a rebellious cheerleader whose vibrant, multicolored hair and heavy makeup reflect her defiance. She lives with Robert, a man who emphasizes the importance of school and tells her to get out of bed. However, Melissa reacts defiantly, asserting “He’s not my father,” revealing the nature of their relationship as guardianship rather than parenthood.

Full summary

The whole story of Blame, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Blame Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Blame.

Blame Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blame?

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 does Abigail struggle with at the beginning of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Blame

8 cars on screen, including the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera and the Chevrolet Express.

All 8 cars
  • 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera in Blame 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Important role
  • Chevrolet Express in Blame Chevrolet Express Background role
  • 2005 Ford Taurus in Blame 2005 Ford Taurus Background role
  • 2012 Honda CR-V in Blame 2012 Honda CR-V Background role
Details

Blame Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Buramu” and “特工次世代”.

Also known as
  • Buramu
  • 特工次世代
  • Blame!
  • BLAME! 剧场版
  • ブラム(2017)
  • 探索者!
  • אשמה!
  • BLAME! 探索者
  • 블레임!
  • Блам!
  • BLAME! ブラム
  • Κατηγορώ
+4 more
  • เบลม!
  • BLAME!‎
  • BLAME! 特工次時代
  • Thế Giới Người Máy Blame

Seen Blame?

FAQ

Blame FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Blame?

Blame runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Blame released?

Blame was released on January 5, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Blame?

Blame stars Quinn Shephard as Abigail Grey, Nadia Alexander as Melissa Bowman and Marcia DeBonis as Ms. Cohen, among 11 credited actors.

How is Blame rated?

Blame has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 54 on Metacritic, 66% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Blame have a post-credit scene?

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

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