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What's After the Movie?
Horror thriller

Choke (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Choke (2020) movie poster

Choke is a 2020 horror thriller directed by Gregory Hatanaka, starring Lisa London as Stephanie, Sal Landi and Shane Ryan-Reid. It runs 1 hour 13 minutes. Its Echo Score is 35/100.

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Choke (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 13m (73 min)
Director
Gregory Hatanaka
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Choke About?

The premise of Choke without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The lines between reality and fiction, and good and bad blur when both a nihilistic detective and a serial killer’s affairs with a mysterious girl overlap.

Choke Themes & Keywords

· 44 tags
  • detective
  • serial killer
  • cult
  • cult leader
  • erotica
  • psychological drama
  • psychological horror
  • psychological thriller
  • serial killer crime
  • b horror
  • bowl
  • dead woman
+32 more
  • female corpse
  • retail store
  • spoon
  • tape machine
  • train
  • train compartment
  • train station
  • woman strangled
  • auto erotic
  • hospital
  • kitchen
  • telephone
  • police
  • police station
  • pool
  • prostitute
  • strangled to death
  • strangled woman
  • bed
  • car
  • chokehold
  • gun
  • money
  • nude man
  • running man
  • salt crystal
  • suicide
  • therapist
  • tied to a chair
  • woman bound and gagged
  • bound and gagged
  • tape gag
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Cast & crew

Choke Cast & Characters

Lisa London leads the cast as Stephanie, with Sal Landi as Stanton and Shane Ryan-Reid as Brandon. Directed by Gregory Hatanaka; 18 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Gregory Hatanaka

More films directed by Gregory Hatanaka, best-rated first: Mad Cowgirl, A Wiseguy Christmas, Amityville Cop and Kill Plan.

Full filmography
Ratings

Choke Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in sensory experience (48) and weakest in rewatch factor (32).

35 /100

Choke Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s primary shortcoming lies in its lack of cohesive execution, which undermines its artistic ambitions. Critics and users alike point to uneven direction, amateur cinematography, and a disjointed narrative that hampers engagement. While a minority appreciate its experimental tone and occasional strong performances, the dominant impression is one of confusion and limited appeal. Consequently, the overall experience feels more flawed than compelling.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of visual and technical craft, the film presents an uneven picture. Reviewers describe the cinematography and editing as amateur and poorly coordinated, yet some note a unique, original vision and occasional decent music cues. The disparity between raw production values and flashes of artistic intent leads to a mixed assessment. Overall, the art and craft are more inconsistent than polished.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    When it comes to character work, performances are largely inconsistent. Many users criticize the lead acting as abysmal and the dialogue as laughable, though a few acknowledge moments of nuanced work, particularly from supporting actors. The emotional resonance is weak, and chemistry between characters often feels forced. Consequently, the acting contributes more to the film’s shortcomings than to its strengths.

  • Story & Flow 34

    The narrative structure suffers from poor coherence and erratic pacing. Critics and viewers repeatedly mention a story that jumps without clear purpose, leading to confusion and boredom. A small segment of the audience praises its originality and thought‑provoking ambiguity, but the prevailing view is that the plot fails to engage or resolve satisfactorily. Overall, the story is more fragmented than compelling.

  • Sensory Experience 48

    Sensory elements offer a blend of modest strengths and notable weaknesses. Some reviewers find the soundtrack decent and occasional visual moments appealing, while others highlight overused voice‑overs, grating dialogue, and lacking sound design. The visual style is described as amateur, yet moments of distinct aesthetic choices are acknowledged. The mixed sensory impact results in a generally uneven but occasionally effective experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 32

    Rewatch value is limited by the film’s confusing narrative and uneven execution. Most viewers report boredom and difficulty following the plot, reducing the desire for repeat viewings. A minority cites lingering intrigue and appreciation for its experimental nature, suggesting some potential for revisiting. Nonetheless, the dominant sentiment is that the film provides little incentive for subsequent watches.

Plot

Choke Plot Summary

What happens in Choke from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a crowded, lower-middle-class neighborhood of Mumbai, a couple named Sarita Pillai and Sushant Pillai struggle to make ends meet while raising their young son. Despite the daily grind, they share a musical background that hints at brighter moments from the past. A flashback reveals Sarita’s grave stage fright during a reality singing show, when the roar of a large audience caused her to freeze. That traumatic memory still shadows her, coloring how she navigates the present pressures of work, family, and debt.

Full summary

The whole story of Choke, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Choke?

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 Sarita's primary occupation in the film?

Details

Choke Also Known As

Also known as “დახრჩობა”.

Also known as
  • დახრჩობა

Seen Choke?

FAQ

Choke FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Choke, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Choke?

Choke runs 1 hour 13 minutes (73 minutes).

When was Choke released?

Choke was released on May 10, 2020.

Who directed Choke?

Choke was directed by Gregory Hatanaka.

More films by Gregory Hatanaka

Who is in the cast of Choke?

Choke stars Lisa London as Stephanie, Sal Landi as Stanton and Shane Ryan-Reid as Brandon, among 18 credited actors.

Does Choke have a post-credit scene?

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

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