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Drama

Broker (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Broker (2022) movie poster

Broker is a 2022 drama directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, starring Kang-ho Song, Dong-won Kang and Du-na Bae. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $18.9 million worldwide on a $7.8 million budget. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$18.9M
Echo Score
78
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Broker (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Hirokazu Koreeda
Genre
Drama
Original language
Korean
Studio
Neon
Budget
$7.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Broker About?

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

During a heavy rain, a baby is anonymously left in a church’s baby box, unexpectedly connecting the lives of several strangers. Among them are two men who run a unique business of finding adoptive families for abandoned infants, and a woman desperately searching for her missing child. As they grapple with questions of family and morality, their paths intertwine in a surprising and heartfelt story about love, loss, and the unconventional bonds that define parenthood.

Broker Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • abandoning a baby
  • one word title
  • baby trafficking
  • baby
  • laundry
  • rain
  • orphan
  • ironing
  • sewing
  • children
  • scar
  • little boy
+16 more
  • soccer ball
  • police
  • police officer
  • beach
  • soap bubble
  • balloon
  • illness
  • hospital
  • laundromat
  • telephone call
  • gps tracking
  • train
  • big wheel
  • singing in a car
  • singing in a van
  • reference to son heung min
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Cast & crew

Broker Cast

Kang-ho Song leads the cast, with Dong-won Kang and Du-na Bae. Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Hirokazu Koreeda

More films directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, best-rated first: Shoplifters, Still Walking, Monster and After Life.

Full filmography
Ratings

Broker Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Broker 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (86) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

Broker Echo Score Breakdown

Broker presents a nuanced exploration of unconventional family bonds, anchored by Kore-eda's restrained direction and empathetic tone. The film balances moments of gentle humor with weighty social commentary, yielding an overall experience that feels both heartfelt and measured. While the narrative occasionally falters in pacing, the strong performances and layered thematic content sustain engagement. Consequently, the movie offers a satisfying, if not flawless, entry in the director's oeuvre, rewarding attentive viewers with lasting emotional resonance.

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 direction and craftsmanship, the film showcases Kore-eda's characteristic subtlety and measured pacing. Critics note a gentle visual style and competent production design, though some mention repetitive elements and a slow burn that can feel meandering. User feedback describes the visuals as decent and the score as alternating between effective and heavy‑handed. Overall, the artistic execution is solid, delivering a restrained aesthetic that supports the story without overwhelming it.

  • Character & Emotion 86

    Character work stands out as a primary strength, with performances described as nuanced, compelling, and occasionally outstanding. Reviewers highlight the multidimensional portrayals, especially by the South Korean cast, noting the chemistry and emotional resonance among the misfit ensemble. While a few viewers find some acting reserved, the consensus underscores a deep empathy conveyed through the characters. This focus on authentic, layered personalities elevates the film’s emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The narrative weaves themes of abandonment, trafficking, and chosen family, offering an original premise that engages viewers. Critics admire its thought‑provoking intentions, yet many point to uneven pacing, occasional melodramatic turns, and a tendency toward sentimentality. User comments echo this mix, describing the plot as overcomplicated or overly neat at times. Consequently, the story’s cohesion and rhythm are mixed, delivering both compelling moments and noticeable lapses.

  • Sensory Experience 71

    Sensory elements, including the soundtrack and visual composition, receive generally positive remarks. The score is praised for its moving quality, though some find it inconsistent or heavy‑handed. Visuals are characterized as decent, supporting the film’s subdued tone. Critics note the gentle sound design that complements the emotional landscape. Overall, the sensory experience enhances the mood without dominating the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    Rewatch value is high, with many reviewers citing lasting appeal and a satisfying emotional payoff. The film’s blend of humor, tenderness, and social insight invites repeat viewings, and its gentle pacing rewards attentive audiences. While certain critics warn of potential generic melodrama, the prevailing sentiment is that the film’s heartening moments and strong performances make it a rewarding experience on subsequent watches.

Plot

Broker Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Broker from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ha Sang-hyeon (Kang-ho Song) runs a modest hand laundry and volunteers at a nearby church, where his friend Dong-soo (Dong-won Kang) also works. Together, they sustain an illegal operation: Sang-hyeon occasionally snatches babies from the church’s baby box with Dong-soo to sell them on the adoption black market, weaving danger into every step of their shady business. The routine is kept quiet, and the pair rely on a network that blurs lines between salvation and crime.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Broker Box Office & Budget

Broker grossed $18.9 million worldwide on a $7.8 million budget, 2.4 times what it cost. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $17.8 million (94%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$18.9M

2.4× its budget

US & Canada
$1M
International
$17.8M
Budget
$7.8M
US & Canada 6% Rest of the world 94%
Videos

Broker Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 4 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 7 videos
Official International Teaser
  • Trailer Official International Main Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser Official UK Trailer #2
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Broker?

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

Who is the detective leading the investigation into the baby‑broker network?

Cars

Cars in Broker

31 cars on screen, including the 2014 Hyundai Sonata and the 1995 SsangYong Istana.

All 31 cars
  • 2014 Hyundai Sonata in Broker 2014 Hyundai Sonata Main role
  • 1995 SsangYong Istana in Broker 1995 SsangYong Istana Main role
  • 2010 Daewoo BS 090 in Broker 2010 Daewoo BS 090 Minor role
  • 2005 Hyundai Starex in Broker 2005 Hyundai Starex Minor role
Details

Broker Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “요람” and “Baby”.

Also known as
  • 요람
  • Baby
  • Box
  • 经手人
  • 中间人
  • ব্রোকার
  • ब्रोकर
  • Regnen skyller alt bort
  • Min vakre stjerne
  • Pikku tähti
  • Beurokeo
  • 掮客
+20 more
  • Broker - Uma Nova Chance
  • Les Bonnes étoiles
  • Le buone stelle - Broker
  • Посредник
  • Broker - Familie gesucht
  • 孩子轉運站
  • 嬰兒轉運站
  • จัดหารัก
  • ベイビー・ブローカー
  • Người Môi Giới
  • سمسار
  • Τυχερό Αστέρι
  • Bebek Servisi
  • Min vackra stjärna
  • Baby Broker
  • Broker - Intermediários
  • Prostředník
  • Посередник
  • ברוקר
  • Posrednik

Seen Broker?

FAQ

Broker FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Broker?

Broker runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Broker released?

Broker was released on December 26, 2022.

Who directed Broker?

Broker was directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.

More films by Hirokazu Koreeda

Who is in the cast of Broker?

Broker stars Kang-ho Song, Dong-won Kang and Du-na Bae, among 4 credited actors.

How much did Broker make at the box office?

Broker grossed $18.9 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $17.8 million international) on a budget of $7.8 million.

How is Broker rated?

Broker has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does Broker have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Broker in?

The original language of Broker is Korean.

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