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Biographical drama

Blaze (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Blaze (2018) movie poster

Blaze is a 2018 biographical drama starring Ben Dickey as Blaze Foley, Alia Shawkat and Charlie Sexton. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $704,955 worldwide on a $1.2 million budget. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$705K
Echo Score
72
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Blaze (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Music
Original language
English
Budget
$1.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blaze About?

The premise of Blaze without spoilers.

The film portrays the life of musician Blaze Foley, exploring three key periods. It depicts his intense and passionate romance with Sybil Rosen, a final, poignant struggle against the challenges of life, and the enduring legacy of his music long after his death. Through these interwoven timelines, a portrait of a complex and unforgettable artist emerges.

Blaze Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • country music
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • one word title
  • character name as title
  • blaze foley character
  • forename as title
  • hospital
  • praying
  • austin
  • guitar player
  • guitarist
+38 more
  • guitar playing
  • lap dance
  • lap dancer
  • jewish
  • yellow
  • hitchhike
  • hitchhiking
  • kiss
  • singing
  • moving
  • singer
  • singer songwriter
  • singer as protagonist
  • bar singer
  • narrator
  • bar
  • muse
  • storyteller
  • cake
  • smoking
  • sitting on a toilet
  • interview
  • flower
  • flower seller
  • lying on bed
  • lying on a bed
  • cuddle
  • motorcycle
  • shoot
  • death
  • train
  • cemetery
  • graveyard
  • churchyard
  • lying down in the middle of a road
  • dying in the middle of the road
  • radio interview
  • hidden in the closet
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Cast & crew

Blaze Cast & Characters

Ben Dickey leads the cast as Blaze Foley, with Alia Shawkat as Sybil and Charlie Sexton as Townes Van Zandt.

Ratings

Blaze Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blaze 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

72 /100

Blaze Echo Score Breakdown

Blaze offers a character-driven exploration of passion and music that is at once absorbing and uneven. Across critical responses, the film’s direction and performances are praised for their authenticity and reverence, while its extended runtime and episodic structure draw frequent criticism for diluting momentum. Visually and sonically the drama resonates through a nuanced score and cohesive cinematic style, yet the plot’s meandering quality hampers sustained engagement. In sum, Blaze leaves a modest but memorable impression.

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 & Craft, Blaze features a clearly defined directorial vision and moments of striking cinematography. Several critics noted its kaleidoscopic framing and inventive visual flourishes, and users observed compelling camera work in key sequences. However, the editing and episodic structure occasionally feel overextended, which undermines narrative flow. Overall, the film’s craft remains engaging but uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Blaze offers nuanced performances that anchor its emotional core. Critics highlighted Ben Dickey’s haunted portrayal and Alia Shawkat’s moments of tender chemistry, and the film’s focus on passion yields intimate resonance in key scenes. Some users noted inconsistency in dramatic impact, with certain interactions lacking depth. Overall, the character study is compelling yet occasionally uneven.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of Story & Flow, Blaze presents an episodic narrative that some find absorbing but others consider meandering. Critics cited its tender focus and emotional authenticity, yet many pointed to an overlong runtime and diffuse structure that hampers pacing. User feedback similarly notes moments of incoherence and narrative drift, with dramatic peaks not always built up. Overall, the story delivers depth but suffers from uneven engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, Blaze excels through its evocative soundtrack and cohesive visual style. Critics praised the film’s use of folk music to deepen emotional resonance, and the sound design complements the intimate performances. Users also appreciated the musical sequences and atmospheric score. While sonic elements are consistently effective, some found the visual mood overly stylized. Overall, the sensory impact is strong and immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Blaze offers moments of authenticity and musical depth that encourage a second viewing. Critics noted its passionate performances and thematic richness, suggesting lasting appeal for fans of character studies. However, the film’s uneven pacing and episodic structure may reduce enjoyment on repeat viewings. User comments similarly reflect mixed enthusiasm, citing both absorbing sequences and prolonged sections. Overall, the rewatch value is moderate but selective.

Box office

Blaze Box Office & Budget

Blaze grossed $704,955 worldwide on a $1.2 million budget, 59% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$705K

59% of its budget back

US & Canada
$705K
Budget
$1.2M
Videos

Blaze Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Clip: Postcards From The Road
  • Clip Clip: Pawn Shop Guitar
  • Clip Clip: Letter To Merle
Details

Blaze Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “블레이즈” and “Блэйз”.

Also known as
  • 블레이즈
  • Блэйз
  • 布雷兹留住心醉一首歌
  • 留住醉後一首歌
  • Блейз, ბლეიზი
  • בלייז
  • ブレイズ
  • เบลซ

Seen Blaze?

FAQ

Blaze FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Blaze?

Blaze runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Blaze released?

Blaze was released on August 17, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Blaze?

Blaze stars Ben Dickey as Blaze Foley, Alia Shawkat as Sybil and Charlie Sexton as Townes Van Zandt, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Blaze make at the box office?

Blaze grossed $704,955 worldwide on a budget of $1.2 million.

How is Blaze rated?

Blaze has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Blaze have a post-credit scene?

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

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