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Comedy

Brian and Charles (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Brian and Charles (2022) movie poster

Brian and Charles is a 2022 comedy directed by Jim Archer, starring David Earl as Brian, Chris Hayward and Louise Brealey. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $860,850 worldwide on a $1.2 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2023. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$860.9K
award nomination
1
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Brian and Charles (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Jim Archer
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$1.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Brian and Charles About?

The premise of Brian and Charles without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In rural Wales, a lonely inventor named Brian dedicates his time to building quirky, often flawed gadgets. Determined to overcome his solitude, he undertakes his most challenging creation: Charles, an AI robot assembled from a washing machine and various spare parts. As Brian and Charles spend time together, they form a heartwarming bond, exploring themes of friendship, the challenges of loneliness, and the joy of finding connection in the most unexpected ways.

Brian and Charles Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • inventor
  • welsh countryside
  • breaking the fourth wall
  • robot
  • artificial intelligence
  • based on short film
  • farm
  • farmhouse
  • bike
  • bike on fire
  • village store
  • shopkeeper
+38 more
  • pet rat
  • thunderstorm
  • disco music
  • friendship
  • reference to frankenstein
  • cabbage
  • game of darts
  • plumber
  • bowtie
  • washing machine
  • dancing
  • pillow fight
  • watching tv
  • wales
  • cottage
  • reference to hawaii
  • disguise
  • family argument
  • character asks are we there yet
  • lane
  • mechanical character
  • parrot
  • walking
  • lake
  • village life
  • tractor
  • talking on phone
  • gardening
  • teenager with attitude
  • bully
  • binoculars
  • cow shed
  • bonfire
  • fireworks
  • rescue from fire
  • car chase
  • trip around the world
  • forest
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Cast & crew

Brian and Charles Cast & Characters

David Earl leads the cast as Brian, with Chris Hayward as Charles and Louise Brealey as Hazel. Directed by Jim Archer; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Brian and Charles

· 6 more
From the director

More from Jim Archer

More films directed by Jim Archer: Down from London, Brian and Charles and My Sister’s Dollhouse.

Full filmography
Ratings

Brian and Charles Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Brian and Charles 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

80 /100

Brian and Charles Echo Score Breakdown

Brian and Charles delivers a heartfelt indie experience anchored by its handcrafted aesthetic and earnest performances. Reviewers commend the film’s visual charm, the chemistry between its leads, and the gentle humor that sustains its modest runtime. Nevertheless, critiques note uneven storytelling, occasional predictability, and a limited depth that may curb its lasting resonance. Overall, the movie succeeds in offering a warm, quirky portrait of friendship, though its appeal may wane beyond dedicated fans.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film’s visual and technical craftsmanship leans toward a handcrafted aesthetic. Critics highlight the handmade look, gorgeous Welsh landscapes, and the inventive design of the robot, which together create a distinctive indie texture. Some observations mention occasional mismatched production values and uneven editing that prevent a fully polished finish. In sum, the artwork is largely effective, though not uniformly refined.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Performances and character dynamics form a clear strength of the picture. Earl and Hayward provide nuanced, sincere portrayals that convey loneliness and affection, while supporting cast members add credible warmth and occasional humor. Reviewers also note that a few secondary characters feel underdeveloped or lean on cliché, but the central friendship remains compelling. Overall, strong acting and chemistry outweigh minor character shortcomings.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The narrative balances a whimsical premise with modest storytelling ambition. The screenplay is praised for its witty setup and heartfelt moments, yet multiple critics point to thematic thinness, predictable plot beats, and occasional one‑note pacing. While the film sustains interest through its originality, the lack of deeper narrative layers limits its overall impact. Consequently, the story is engaging but not fully developed.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    Sensory elements reinforce the film’s offbeat tone with consistent effectiveness. Visual design—particularly the robot’s assembled look—and the sweeping Welsh scenery receive commendation, as does an understated soundtrack that complements the quirky mood. Sound design remains subtle yet functional, and no significant sensory flaws are reported. The overall sensory presentation successfully supports the film’s whimsical atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch potential is moderate, driven by the film’s charm and cult‑friendly quirks. Viewers appreciate the memorable central duo and the gentle humor, which invite repeat viewings for fans. However, the limited plot complexity and occasional predictability may diminish broader repeat appeal, with some reviewers suggesting the movie could be quickly forgotten. Thus, enjoyment persists for enthusiasts, while general audiences may find less incentive to revisit.

Plot

Brian and Charles Plot Summary

What happens in Brian and Charles 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

Brian Gittins is a solitary inventor residing in the scenic rural Wales, where his unusual gadgets rarely function as intended. One fateful day, while rummaging through scrap materials, he stumbles upon a mannequin’s head. This peculiar find ignites his imagination, pushing him to attempt the creation of an artificially-intelligent robot. Unfortunately, his initial efforts yield no results as he cannot seem to activate the invention. However, during a wild thunderstorm that night, Brian’s fortunes change when he discovers the robot, now miraculously activated, roaming outside his workshop. He invites the curious creation into his home.

Full summary

The whole story of Brian and Charles, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Brian and Charles Box Office & Budget

Brian and Charles grossed $860,850 worldwide on a $1.2 million budget, 72% of what it cost. $430,635 came from the US and Canada and $430,215 (50%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$860.9K

72% of its budget back

US & Canada
$430.6K
International
$430.2K
Budget
$1.2M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Awards

Brian and Charles Awards & Nominations

Brian and Charles earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2023.

1 nomination1 ceremony

  • British Academy Film Awards logo
    BAFTA 2023 1 nomination
    • Nominated Outstanding British Film
Videos

Brian and Charles Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 4 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip BRIAN AND CHARLES - "I'm Your Friend" Official Clip - Only in Theaters June 17
  • Clip BRIAN AND CHARLES - "Building A Robot" Official Clip - Only in Theaters Friday
  • Clip BRIAN AND CHARLES - "I Built Your Body" Official Clip - Now Playing Only in Theaters
  • Clip BRIAN AND CHARLES - "Dancing For Me" Official Clip - Now Playing Only in Theaters
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Brian and Charles?

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 Brian Gittins' profession?

Cars

Cars in Brian and Charles

5 cars on screen, including the 2014 Ford Transit MkV and the 1987 Land-Rover 90.

All 5 cars
  • 2014 Ford Transit MkV in Brian and Charles 2014 Ford Transit MkV Main role
  • 1987 Land-Rover 90 in Brian and Charles 1987 Land-Rover 90 Important role
  • 2010 Deutz-Fahr unknown in Brian and Charles 2010 Deutz-Fahr unknown Minor role
  • Suzuki Eiger in Brian and Charles Suzuki Eiger Minor role
Details

Brian and Charles Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “브라이언 앤 찰스” and “Brian és Charles”.

Also known as
  • 브라이언 앤 찰스
  • Brian és Charles
  • Brian y Charles
  • Брайан и Чарльз
  • Brian e Charles
  • بريان وتشارلز
  • 布赖恩和查尔斯
  • Brian và Charles
  • בריאן וצ'ארלס
  • Браян і Чарльз
  • 布萊恩與查爾斯
  • Brian et Charles
+4 more
  • Brian ve Charles
  • ไบรอัน&ชาร์ลส์ คู่ซี้หัวใจไม่ประดิษฐ์
  • Brian și Charles
  • Brajanas ir Čarlzas

Seen Brian and Charles?

FAQ

Brian and Charles FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Brian and Charles?

Brian and Charles runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Brian and Charles released?

Brian and Charles was released on June 17, 2022.

Who directed Brian and Charles?

Brian and Charles was directed by Jim Archer.

More films by Jim Archer

Who is in the cast of Brian and Charles?

Brian and Charles stars David Earl as Brian, Chris Hayward as Charles and Louise Brealey as Hazel, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Brian and Charles make at the box office?

Brian and Charles grossed $860,850 worldwide ($430,635 domestic, $430,215 international) on a budget of $1.2 million.

How is Brian and Charles rated?

Brian and Charles has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Was Brian and Charles nominated for any awards?

Brian and Charles received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Brian and Charles have a post-credit scene?

No. Brian and Charles has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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