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Horror film

Censor (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Censor (2021) movie poster

Censor is a 2021 horror film directed by Prano Bailey-Bond, starring Niamh Algar as Enid Baines, Michael Smiley and Adrian Schiller. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $361,699 worldwide. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$361.7K
Echo Score
78
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Censor (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 24m (84 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Censor About?

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

A film censor named Enid takes her duty seriously, protecting audiences from disturbing content. Haunted by the unresolved disappearance and presumed death of her sister, she becomes increasingly disturbed when a mysterious film surfaces. The movie triggers unsettling memories and forces Enid to confront a dark and troubled past, leading her down a dangerous path to uncover buried secrets and the truth about what happened to her sister.

Censor Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1980s
  • film censor
  • cabin in the woods
  • england
  • mysterious disappearance
  • video nasties as subject
  • vhs tape
  • title directed by female
  • static on tv screen
  • vhs rental store
  • mistaken identity
  • projection room
+38 more
  • watching a horror movie
  • violence
  • surrealism
  • suspense mystery
  • psychological horror
  • disappearance of sister
  • missing sister
  • search for missing sister
  • missing daughter
  • video
  • missing child
  • lost in the woods
  • loss of daughter
  • film director
  • dream sequence
  • film canister
  • writing down an address
  • mob of reporters
  • typewriter
  • award trophy
  • film producer
  • notepad
  • train
  • smoking
  • records room
  • haunted wood
  • film set
  • makeup artist
  • making a horror film
  • newspaper headline
  • splashed with blood
  • fake blood
  • polaroid camera
  • foggy night
  • woman drives a car
  • film camera
  • wielding an axe
  • rainbow
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Cast & crew

Censor Cast & Characters

Niamh Algar leads the cast as Enid Baines, with Michael Smiley as Doug Smart and Adrian Schiller as Frederick North. Directed by Prano Bailey-Bond; 13 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Censor Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Censor 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (86) and weakest in story & flow (70).

78 /100

Censor Echo Score Breakdown

Censor offers a striking mix of retro horror motifs and psychological tension that largely engages its audience. Critics note its ambitious direction, inventive visual flair, and strong central performance, while some point to uneven pacing and occasional narrative opacity. User feedback mirrors this split, praising the 1980s aesthetic and atmospheric soundscape but citing moments of static storytelling. The film’s thematic depth and stylistic boldness contribute to a solid, if occasionally uneven, viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 86

    Visually, Censor leans heavily into a saturated 1980s palette, employing neon hues and grainy textures that evoke period video nasties. The cinematography captures both claustrophobic interiors and eerie woodland scenes, while production design reinforces the era-specific aesthetic. Some reviewers note rough edges and low-budget constraints, yet the overall visual ambition remains effective.

  • Character & Emotion 76

    The film’s emotional core rests on Niamh Algar’s nuanced portrayal of Enid, delivering a measured yet unsettling performance that anchors the narrative. Supporting actors contribute credible chemistry, though a few secondary characters appear underwritten, serving more as structural placeholders than fully realized figures. Overall, the acting ensemble provides sufficient depth to sustain audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Censor constructs an ambitious premise that interrogates censorship and memory through a fragmented, psychogenic structure. The plot’s originality and thematic daring are evident, but the pacing swings between deliberate tension and sluggish exposition, leading some viewers to experience confusion during the middle act. While the climax offers thematic resolution, narrative ambiguity persists, rendering the story both intriguing and uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sensory landscape blends lo‑fi synth scores with cavernous ambient drones, reinforcing the film’s unsettling mood. Sound design punctuates key moments with subtle creaks and distant static, while the visual treatment—grainy footage, high‑contrast lighting, and period‑accurate set pieces—immerses viewers in a retro horror tableau. Though occasional low‑budget textures surface, the overall atmosphere remains consistently immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    The film’s lingering thematic questions and unsettling imagery encourage repeat viewings, as new details emerge upon subsequent watches. Many users cite its thought‑provoking ending and strong atmospheric grip as reasons to revisit. However, the sluggish first act and occasional narrative opacity may diminish rewatch enthusiasm for some, resulting in a generally favorable but not universal rewatch appeal.

Plot

Censor Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Censor 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 1985, Enid Baines works for the British Board of Film Classification during the height of the video nasty controversy, a period when violent content was under intense scrutiny. Her colleagues nickname her “Little Miss Perfect” because of her unwavering stance on cutting or banning graphic material. During a family dinner, Enid’s parents discuss her sister Nina, who disappeared when they were children. Though Nina has since been legally declared dead, Enid clings to the belief that she might still be alive somewhere out there.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Censor Box Office

Censor grossed $361,699 worldwide. $90,050 came from the US and Canada and $271,649 (75%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$361.7K

US & Canada
$90.1K
International
$271.6K
US & Canada 25% Rest of the world 75%
Videos

Censor Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official US Trailer
  • Trailer New & Exclusive UK Trailer
  • Clip Video Nasty Clip
  • Featurette Meet the Artist: Prano Bailey-Bond on CENSOR
  • Featurette Niamh Algar and Prano Bailey-Bond On the Making of Brand New British Horror Film 'Censor'
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Censor?

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 main character who works as a film censor?

Cars

Cars in Censor

1 car on screen: the 1980 Ford Cortina MkV.

  • 1980 Ford Cortina MkV in Censor 1980 Ford Cortina MkV Important role
Details

Censor Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Цензор” and “Sansür”.

Also known as
  • Цензор
  • Sansür
  • 검열
  • 电影审查员
  • Cenzorka
  • Цензорка
  • 撕裂異弒界
  • A cenzor
  • צנזורה
  • Cenzor
  • 映画検閲

Seen Censor?

FAQ

Censor FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Censor?

Censor runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).

When was Censor released?

Censor was released on June 11, 2021.

Who directed Censor?

Censor was directed by Prano Bailey-Bond.

Who is in the cast of Censor?

Censor stars Niamh Algar as Enid Baines, Michael Smiley as Doug Smart and Adrian Schiller as Frederick North, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Censor make at the box office?

Censor grossed $361,699 worldwide ($90,050 domestic, $271,649 international).

How is Censor rated?

Censor has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Censor have a post-credit scene?

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

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