Carmen (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Carmen is a 2022 drama directed by Valerie Buhagiar, starring Natascha McElhone as Carmen, Richard Clarkin and Steven Love. It is inspired by Carmen by Prosper Mérimée and George Burnham Ives. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes and earned $383,996 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Valerie Buhagiar
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Good Deed Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Carmen About?
The premise of Carmen without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A passionate young woman named Carmen escapes a tragic past in Mexico, seeking a fresh start and freedom in the United States. Her journey leads her to the US border, where she encounters Aidan, an ex-marine now working as a border patrol officer. As Carmen and Aidan's lives become intertwined, they face a complex and emotionally charged struggle against a backdrop of uncertainty and danger.
Carmen Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- soldier
- chihuahuan desert
- bare chested male
- based on opera
- begins with voice over narration
- voice over narration
- reference to superman
- coming of age drama
- classic musical
- female nudity
Carmen Cast & Characters
Natascha McElhone leads the cast as Carmen, with Richard Clarkin as Tom and Steven Love as Paulo. Directed by Valerie Buhagiar; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Valerie Buhagiar
-
Natascha McElhone as Carmen - Richard Clarkin as Tom
- Steven Love as Paulo
- Henry Zammit Cordina as Fr. Francis
Also Starring in Carmen
· 6 more- Paul Portelli Monsignor
- Michela Farrugia Rita
- Peter Galea Police Officer
- Chakid Zidi Ahmad
- Pauline Fenech Giovanna
- Andre Agius
Carmen Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Carmen 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Carmen Echo Score Breakdown
Carmen offers a visually appealing portrait of Malta with lush cinematography and an engaging soundtrack that elevate its modest narrative. Natascha McElhone provides a nuanced performance, balancing humor and pathos, though the plot relies on coincidences and thin development, limiting narrative momentum. The film enjoys modest rewatch value for its atmospheric charm despite structural unevenness.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of direction and visual composition, the film excels with a picturesque countryside and stylish production design that many reviewers describe as gorgeous and fashion‑like. Editing occasionally feels fragmented, especially with frequent flashbacks, but overall the craftsmanship supports the film’s tonal goals. The artistic execution remains a notable strength.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character work, McElhone's performance is consistently praised for its charm and emotional depth, resonating with both critics and audiences. The supporting cast adds to the protagonist's journey, and the chemistry is described as seamless. Minor criticisms note missed opportunities to fully showcase her talent, but the overall impression is highly favorable.
- Story & Flow 55
The story’s coherence is mixed; reviewers highlight a warm, fairy‑tale premise but criticize reliance on coincidences and a thin plot structure. Some praise its playful tone and uplifting message, yet many point to underdeveloped narrative threads and implausible elements that disrupt pacing. Consequently, the storyline is viewed as uneven and less compelling.
- Sensory Experience 82
Sensory experience receives strong commendation, with the score described as soaring and the visual palette sparkling under Mediterranean sunlight. The soundtrack and sound design contribute to a fever‑dream atmosphere that many find immersive. While a few note occasional tonal inconsistency, the overall sensory impact is considered a major asset.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s visual charm and uplifting moments invite repeat viewings, particularly for fans of its setting and style. However, narrative shortcomings and occasional implausibility reduce its long‑term appeal for some viewers. Overall, it offers enough delight to merit another look, though not universally compelling.
-
IMDb 5.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 98%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
13 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Carmen Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Carmen 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 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Mexico, a young man searching for Carmen shoots and kills Carmen’s mother, a flamenco dancer, when she refuses to give Carmen up. Carmen, Natascha McElhone decides to flee across the border, setting off a tense journey that pulls in a wary borderland world.
Full summary
The whole story of Carmen, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Carmen Box Office
Carmen grossed $383,996 worldwide. $103,388 came from the US and Canada and $280,608 (73%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$384K
- US & Canada
- $103.4K
- International
- $280.6K
Carmen Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip, 1 featurette and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer UK Trailer
- Teaser Teaser Trailer
- Clip First 10 Minutes
- Featurette TIFF 2022 Q&A with Paul Mescal, Melissa Barrera, Benjamin Millepied
How Well Do You Know Carmen?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the film's primary female protagonist?
Cars in Carmen
16 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet C-3500 and the Ford Crown Victoria.
-
1988 Chevrolet C-3500 Important role -
Ford Crown Victoria Important role -
1998 Ford Crown Victoria Important role -
1982 Ford F-150 Important role
Carmen Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “카르멘” and “卡门”.
- Also known as
-
- 카르멘
- 卡门
- Кармен
- כרמן
- Κάρμεν
- คาร์เมน
- Carmen - Tánc az életért
Seen Carmen?
Movies Like Carmen
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Carmen, Carmen and Carmen.
Carmen FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Carmen, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Carmen?
Carmen runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Carmen released?
Carmen was released on September 23, 2022.
Who directed Carmen?
Carmen was directed by Valerie Buhagiar.
More films by Valerie Buhagiar Who is in the cast of Carmen?
Carmen stars Natascha McElhone as Carmen, Richard Clarkin as Tom and Steven Love as Paulo, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Carmen make at the box office?
Carmen grossed $383,996 worldwide ($103,388 domestic, $280,608 international).
How is Carmen rated?
Carmen has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Does Carmen have a post-credit scene?
No. Carmen has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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