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What's After the Movie?
Crime drama

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

Clean (2022) movie poster

Clean is a 2022 crime drama directed by Paul Solet, starring Adrien Brody as Clean, Chandler DuPont and Michelle Wilson. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $318,877 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$318.9K
Echo Score
55
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Clean (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Paul Solet
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Clean About?

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

Sandra Pankhurst runs a trauma cleaning business, offering a compassionate service to individuals and families dealing with hoarding, crime scenes, and other difficult situations. Forced to take a leave of absence due to illness, Sandra is compelled to revisit her own painful past and search for her birth mother. Meanwhile, her dedicated team finds unexpected connection and humor as they navigate the challenging and often heartbreaking work, discovering strength and solace in their shared experiences.

Clean Themes & Keywords

· 33 tags
  • violence
  • garbage man
  • melancholy
  • revenge
  • carjacking
  • murder
  • co written by director
  • co written by cast member
  • produced by cast member
  • director producer writer
  • character name as title
  • racial slur
+21 more
  • hit in the face with a hammer
  • bloody face
  • n word
  • father son relationship
  • reference to kanye west
  • pipe wrench
  • hit with a pipe wrench
  • one fights many
  • pulled over by the police
  • bowling alley
  • motel
  • pawnshop
  • crime boss
  • punched in the face
  • son shoots father
  • shot repeatedly
  • shot to death
  • redemption
  • man
  • title spoken by character
  • f word
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Cast & crew

Clean Cast & Characters

Adrien Brody leads the cast as Clean, with Chandler DuPont as Dianda and Michelle Wilson as Ethel. Directed by Paul Solet; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Paul Solet

More films directed by Paul Solet, best-rated first: Tread, Bullet Head, Tales of Halloween and Grace.

Full filmography
Ratings

Clean Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Clean 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in sensory experience (71) and weakest in story & flow (38).

55 /100

Clean Echo Score Breakdown

Clean presents a mixed viewing experience marked by strong visual ambition but uneven narrative execution. Critics acknowledge the film's atmospheric cinematography and occasional effective performances, yet repeatedly note a thin plot and pacing issues. User feedback mirrors this split, praising technical moments while criticizing sluggish storytelling and limited replay appeal. Consequently, the film lands as a stylistically bold yet narratively underdeveloped entry.

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

  • Art & Craft 62

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates notable visual flair, with operatic gestures and cold, moody palettes receiving commendation. Critics highlight the director's atmospheric ambitions and the technical achievements noted by some users. However, occasional heavy‑handedness and uneven editing prevent a fully cohesive aesthetic. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid but not consistently polished.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When evaluating character and emotion, Adrien Brody's performance emerges as a central strength, described as nuanced and capable of conveying inner turmoil. Some reviewers point to limited dialogue and over‑reliance on brooding, which dampens emotional resonance. Supporting cast contributions receive mixed mentions, resulting in a moderately effective but not uniformly compelling character portrayal.

  • Story & Flow 38

    Story and flow suffer from a fragmented narrative and uneven pacing, according to both critics and users. The plot is often labeled as a mess or overly simplistic, with action sequences arriving after prolonged sluggish segments. Originality is hindered by on‑the‑nose themes and a reliance on revenge tropes, leading to a largely unsatisfying storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 71

    Sensory experience stands out through striking visual design and a bold atmospheric tone that many reviewers find compelling. While the soundtrack and sound design receive fewer specific comments, the overall sensory impact is enhanced by dark, operatic visuals and deliberate mood setting. This aspect offers the most consistent praise, elevating the film's immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is limited, as repetitive pacing and predictable plot developments diminish long‑term appeal. Some viewers acknowledge occasional merit for fans of Brody or for isolated technical moments, yet the consensus indicates low desire for repeat viewings. The film's strengths do not sufficiently overcome its narrative shortcomings to sustain lasting engagement.

Plot

Clean Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Clean from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Utica, New York, the story unfolds around a garbage truck driver known only as Clean, portrayed by Adrien Brody, who scrapes by in a declining urban neighborhood rife with crime. As he performs his job collecting waste, Clean takes the initiative to salvage usable parts from the trash, repurposing them to sell at a thrift shop belonging to an acquaintance. Haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter and burdened by past transgressions, Clean leads a solitary existence in a workshop, tormented by memories of her untimely death.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Clean Box Office

Clean grossed $318,877 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$318.9K

US & Canada
$318.9K
Videos

Clean Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Clip Clean "Hunting" Ft. Adrien Brody & RZA Official Clip | HD | IFC Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Clean?

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 nickname of the garbage truck driver in the movie 'Clean'?

Details

Clean Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “克林, clean2022” and “Pasado Violento”.

Also known as
  • 克林, clean2022
  • Pasado Violento
  • Clean - Rache ist ein schmutziges Geschäft (2021)
  • 全面扫荡
  • Špinavá práce
  • 클린
  • Одинокий волк
  • Odwet
  • Passado Violento
  • Клийн: Чистачът
  • נקי
  • Švarus
+5 more
  • Ανοιχτοί Λογαριασμοί
  • 全面掃蕩
  • クリーン ある殺し屋の献身
  • Smetar
  • Špinavá pomsta

Seen Clean?

FAQ

Clean FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Clean?

Clean runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Clean released?

Clean was released on January 28, 2022.

Who directed Clean?

Clean was directed by Paul Solet.

More films by Paul Solet

Who is in the cast of Clean?

Clean stars Adrien Brody as Clean, Chandler DuPont as Dianda and Michelle Wilson as Ethel, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Clean make at the box office?

Clean grossed $318,877 worldwide.

How is Clean rated?

Clean has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Clean have a post-credit scene?

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

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