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Animated drama

Blaze (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Blaze (2023) movie poster

Blaze is a 2023 animated drama directed by Del Kathryn Barton, starring Julia Savage as Blaze, Simon Baker and Yael Stone. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $56,928 worldwide. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2022. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$56.9K
award nominations
5
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Blaze (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Crime , Animation
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blaze About?

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

After witnessing a disturbing crime, a young girl struggles with trauma and emotional detachment. Seeking refuge, she retreats into her imagination, where the lines between fantasy and reality become indistinct. This journey allows her to confront the horrifying events and search for healing and a path toward redemption, blurring the boundaries of her perception.

Blaze Themes & Keywords

· 48 tags
  • post traumatic stress disorder
  • witness
  • dragon
  • imaginary friend
  • father daughter relationship
  • rape
  • surrealism
  • girl
  • directorial debut
  • one word title
  • character name as title
  • australian
+36 more
  • sydney australia
  • 12 year old
  • 13 year old
  • first menstruation
  • part stop motion animation
  • family relationships
  • father daughter conflict
  • violence
  • murder
  • courtroom
  • nightmare sequence
  • fantasy sequence
  • dream sequence
  • blood
  • coming of age
  • parent child relationship
  • teenage girl
  • teenage boy
  • teenager
  • alleyway
  • bedroom
  • argument
  • friend
  • friendship
  • photograph
  • single parent
  • menarche
  • menstruation
  • psychological drama
  • ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
  • young
  • world
  • vomiting
  • female vomiting
  • independent film
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Blaze Cast & Characters

Julia Savage leads the cast as Blaze, with Simon Baker as Luke and Yael Stone as Hannah. Directed by Del Kathryn Barton; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Blaze

· 6 more
From the director

More from Del Kathryn Barton

One more film directed by Del Kathryn Barton: Oscar Wilde’s the Nightingale and the Rose.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blaze Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blaze 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).

70 /100

Blaze Echo Score Breakdown

Blaze elicits a polarized response, drawing commendation for its visual inventiveness while provoking criticism for narrative cohesion. Critics highlight the film’s striking artistry and compelling performances, whereas many viewers cite uneven pacing and an overreliance on stylized sequences. The mixed appraisal reflects a work that excels in craft but falters in storytelling and rewatch appeal. Consequently, the film lands in the upper‑mid range of the rating spectrum.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    Regarding art and craft, Blaze is praised for its imaginative visual palette, combining puppetry, animation, and vivid effects that many critics deem extraordinary. The production design, especially the fuchsia dragon motif, receives particular acclaim. However, some reviewers note technical inconsistencies and an overabundance of spectacle that can feel gratuitous. Overall, the film’s artistic ambition outweighs its flaws, resulting in a strong visual impression.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    On character and emotion, performances are widely lauded, with Julia Savage’s portrayal of a traumatized pre‑teen singled out for nuance and depth. Critics commend the film’s empathetic tone and the emotional resonance achieved through its lead. While a few viewers find the emotional beats overstretched, the majority regard the acting as the film’s strongest element, delivering a compelling human core.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Evaluating story and flow, Blaze presents an ambitious premise but struggles with narrative cohesion. Critics acknowledge the film’s bold thematic exploration of trauma, yet many point to disjointed episodes and sluggish pacing that dilute engagement. Viewer feedback reinforces this view, citing excessive length and a tendency toward melodrama. Consequently, the storytelling is perceived as uneven, limiting overall narrative effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design receive limited commentary, but its visual style is consistently highlighted. Critics describe the imagery as vivid, with striking color palettes and inventive effects that create an immersive atmosphere. Some reviewers, however, argue that the sensory overload can distract from the narrative. Overall, the sensory components are a notable strength, albeit occasionally overwhelming.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, opinions diverge sharply. While some critics and viewers find the film’s emotional depth and visual originality compelling enough for repeat viewings, many audience members describe it as exhausting and overly lengthy, reducing the desire to revisit. The combination of heavy thematic material with a demanding aesthetic limits its replay value for a broad audience, positioning it as a niche, one‑time experience.

Plot

Blaze Plot Summary

What happens in Blaze 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

Blaze, Julia Savage is a 12-year-old girl living in a Paddington terrace house, the only home she has ever known. Her bedroom is in the roof space, sparsely decorated apart from a display cabinet that holds a pair of cute china animals and a small white china dragon. She has an imaginary friend, a ceiling-high dragon with multiple breasts, a long snout and teeth like a crocodile, glistening eyes the size of bowling balls, and long black lashes that growls and breathes fire. She calls her friend Zephy.

Full summary

The whole story of Blaze, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Blaze Box Office

Blaze grossed $56,928 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$56.9K

International
$56.9K
Awards

Blaze Awards & Nominations

Blaze earned 5 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2022.

5 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Blaze Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Blaze.

Blaze (2022) Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blaze?

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 name of the 12‑year‑old girl who is the film’s protagonist?

Details

Blaze Also Known As

37 alternative titles, including “Un lugar tranquilo: Día 1” and “Sakit Yer: Birinci Gün”.

Also known as
  • Un lugar tranquilo: Día 1
  • Sakit Yer: Birinci Gün
  • Un lugar en silencio
  • Тихое место: День первый
  • Un lugar tranquilo: Día uno
  • Sans un bruit : Jour 1
  • 콰이어트 플레이스: 첫째 날
  • Um Lugar Silencioso: Dia Um
  • Vùng Đất Câm Lặng: Ngày Một
  • Sessiz Bir Yer: Birinci Gün
  • Un Coin Tranquille : Jour 1
  • Un lugar en silencio: Día uno
+25 more
  • Tiché místo: První den
  • 寂静之地:入侵日
  • Ciche miejsce: Dzień pierwszy
  • Fără zgomot!: Ziua întâi, ჩუმი ადგილი: პირველი დღე
  • Тихе місце: День перший
  • ดินแดนไร้เสียง: วันที่หนึ่ง
  • A Quiet Place - Giorno 1
  • מקום שקט: היום הראשון
  • クワイエット・プレイス:DAY 1
  • Тихо место: Дан први
  • 噤界:入侵日
  • 無聲絕境外傳:首襲日
  • A Quiet Place: Tag Eins
  • Hiljainen paikka: Päivä yksi
  • Hang nélkül: Első nap
  • Tiché miesto: Prvý deň
  • یک مکان ساکت: روز اول
  • Tylos zona. Pirmoji diena
  • المكان الهادئ: اليوم الأول
  • Нито звук: Ден първи
  • Ένα Ήσυχο Μέρος: Μέρα Πρώτη
  • Tiho mesto: Prvi dan
  • Mjesto tišine: Dan prvi
  • Klusā pasaule: Pirmā diena
  • Kena vaikne kohake: Esimene päev

Seen Blaze?

FAQ

Blaze FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Blaze?

Blaze runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Blaze released?

Blaze was released on January 20, 2023.

Who directed Blaze?

Blaze was directed by Del Kathryn Barton.

More films by Del Kathryn Barton

Who is in the cast of Blaze?

Blaze stars Julia Savage as Blaze, Simon Baker as Luke and Yael Stone as Hannah, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Blaze make at the box office?

Blaze grossed $56,928 worldwide.

How is Blaze rated?

Blaze has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.

Was Blaze nominated for any awards?

Blaze received 5 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Blaze have a post-credit scene?

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

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