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

Carmen (2022) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$384K
Echo Score
74
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Carmen (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m (87 min)
Director
Valerie Buhagiar
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Carmen

· 6 more
Ratings

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).

74 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$384K

US & Canada
$103.4K
International
$280.6K
US & Canada 27% Rest of the world 73%
Videos

Carmen Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip, 1 featurette and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer
  • Clip First 10 Minutes
  • Featurette TIFF 2022 Q&A with Paul Mescal, Melissa Barrera, Benjamin Millepied
Quiz

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

  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 film's primary female protagonist?

Cars

Cars in Carmen

16 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet C-3500 and the Ford Crown Victoria.

All 16 cars
  • 1988 Chevrolet C-3500 in Carmen 1988 Chevrolet C-3500 Important role
  • Ford Crown Victoria in Carmen Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1998 Ford Crown Victoria in Carmen 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1982 Ford F-150 in Carmen 1982 Ford F-150 Important role
Details

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?

FAQ

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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