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Drama musical

Carmen (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Carmen (2023) movie poster

Carmen is a 2023 drama musical starring Melissa Barrera as Carmen, Paul Mescal and Benedict Hardie. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $383,996 worldwide. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the AACTA Awards 2024. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$384K
award won
1
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Carmen (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Genres
Drama , Musical
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 migrant woman, Carmen, endures harsh conditions while crossing the US border and unexpectedly connects with Aidan, a troubled Marine. They embark on a dangerous escape, seeking refuge and connection at La Sombra nightclub, a place where music and dance provide a temporary reprieve from their troubles. As they navigate a perilous journey, they confront both external threats and their own inner demons, all while trying to evade the law and search for a chance at redemption.

Carmen Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • 1980s
  • church
  • religious
  • village
  • malta
  • spinster
  • catholic priest
  • prayer
  • pretending to be a priest
  • priest
  • death of brother
  • brother sister relationship
+2 more
  • male female relationship
  • catholic
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Cast & crew

Carmen Cast & Characters

Melissa Barrera leads the cast as Carmen, with Paul Mescal as Aidan and Benedict Hardie as Mike.

Ratings

Carmen Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Carmen 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).

62 /100

Carmen Echo Score Breakdown

Carmen presents a visually arresting experience that is tempered by a fragmented narrative and uneven character work. Critics and viewers alike note striking cinematography and a compelling soundtrack, yet many find the plot meandering and the emotional stakes under‑developed. The film’s ambition in blending dance with drama yields moments of brilliance but often feels more style than substance. As a result, its appeal remains mixed, offering sensory delight for some while leaving others dissatisfied.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in cinematography, production design, and choreography, delivering a striking visual palette that reviewers consistently praised. Critics highlighted the arresting photography and ambitious staging, while users admired the scenery and visual style. Some noted occasional tonal sluggishness, but overall the technical execution is viewed as a strong point that elevates the work despite narrative shortcomings.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive mixed reactions. Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal’s chemistry is often cited as a highlight, and Natascha McElhone’s acting is praised for nuance. However, several critics describe the acting as flat or autopilot, and the script offers limited depth for the protagonists. The consensus suggests competent but not consistently compelling character work, leading to a moderate score.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow emerge as the film’s weakest area. Critics repeatedly mention a meandering plot, lack of narrative cohesion, and an under‑developed script that fails to sustain momentum. User feedback echoes confusion over the story’s structure and a desire for clearer context. Despite inventive ideas, the film’s pacing and storytelling coherence are judged insufficient, resulting in a lower assessment for this aspect.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory experience scores highly, driven by a praised musical score and inventive sound design. Reviewers commend Nicholas Britell’s soundtrack, describing it as a standout element that often compensates for other deficiencies. Visual style, including lighting and color choices, also receives commendation. While some note occasional overuse of slow‑motion, the overall sensory impact is regarded as a major strength of the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor reflects a divided audience. Some users describe the film as a gem worth returning to for its visual and auditory pleasures, while others find it inaccessible or tedious on subsequent viewings. Critics suggest the film’s novelty may wear off without a stronger narrative hook. Consequently, the film holds modest replay value, appealing mainly to viewers who prioritize style over story.

Plot

Carmen Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Carmen from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In mexico, a tense chase unfolds as a young man hunting for Carmen shoots and kills her mother, a flamenco dancer, when she refuses to surrender Carmen. The desperate choice Carmen makes is to flee across the border into the United States, hoping to escape the danger that surrounds her. In Texas, Aidan, an unemployed Marine veteran living with his sister, is drawn into a troubling world when he’s persuaded to join a militia border patrol. He is paired with his friend, Mike, and the two set out on a mission that will pull them deeper into moral peril than they expect.

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.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$384K

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

Carmen Awards & Nominations

Carmen won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the AACTA Awards 2024.

1 win3 nominations1 ceremony

  • AACTA Awards logo
    AACTA Awards 2024 1 win · 3 nominations
    • Won Best Costume Design
    • Nominated Best Editing
    • Nominated Best Production Design
Videos

Carmen Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Clip First 10 Minutes
  • Behind the Scenes The Music
  • Behind the Scenes Rossy de Palma as Masilda
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 profession does Carmen's mother have before her death?

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 & Awards

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

How long is Carmen?

Carmen runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Carmen released?

Carmen was released on April 21, 2023.

Who is in the cast of Carmen?

Carmen stars Melissa Barrera as Carmen, Paul Mescal as Aidan and Benedict Hardie as Mike, 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 6.3/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

What awards did Carmen win?

Carmen won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the AACTA Awards 2024.

Does Carmen have a post-credit scene?

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

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