Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Colette (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Colette (2018) movie poster

Colette is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Wash Westmoreland, starring Keira Knightley as Colette, Dominic West and Eleanor Tomlinson. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $14.3 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Documentary (Short Subject). Critics gave it 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on Cinemax and Hoopla, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
worldwide gross
$14.3M
Oscar won
1
Echo Score
80
Colette (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Colette About?

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

In 19th century Paris, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette leaves her rural life for the allure of the city when she marries the mysterious Willy. She begins writing a successful novel series featuring Claudine, a spirited young woman, but her husband claims authorship of her work. As Colette’s popularity grows, she challenges conventions and redefines literature, fashion, and personal freedom, ultimately seeking to claim her own voice and identity.

Colette Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bisexuality
  • novelist
  • paris france
  • lesbian attraction
  • female female kiss
  • female nudity
  • based on true story
  • infidelity
  • open marriage
  • female protagonist
  • lesbian sex
  • lesbian relationship
+38 more
  • exploitation
  • husband wife relationship
  • sex scene
  • ghost writer
  • female writer
  • female topless nudity
  • theater
  • menage a trois
  • extramarital affair
  • prostitute
  • nudity
  • based on real person
  • domineering husband
  • book publisher
  • branding
  • money troubles
  • libertine
  • 1900s
  • novel
  • female ghost writer
  • dog
  • what happened to epilogue
  • ends with real life photos
  • adultery
  • female novelist
  • unfaithfulness
  • writer
  • older man younger woman relationship
  • burgundy france
  • publisher
  • literature
  • marriage
  • literary sensation
  • marital estrangement
  • androgyny
  • mime
  • high wheeler bicycle
  • bisexual woman
Where to watch

Where to Watch Colette

Stream it on Cinemax and Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Colette Cast & Characters

Keira Knightley leads the cast as Colette, with Dominic West as Willy and Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgie Raoul-Duval. Directed by Wash Westmoreland; 22 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Colette Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Colette 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

Colette Echo Score Breakdown

Colette excels in its visual craft and central performances while its narrative depth proves inconsistent. Reviews highlight the film’s strong direction, cinematography and costume design, alongside engaging performances from the leads. However, commentary notes that the plot occasionally feels superficial and pacing uneven, with some characters bordering on caricature. Overall, this biography resonates visually and emotionally but doesn’t fully sustain its dramatic momentum.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Colette offers vibrant visuals and precise production design anchored by deliberate editing. Critics and users praised the camerawork’s subtle integration into storytelling and the evocative set and costume choices that evoke Belle Époque Paris. Minor criticisms cited occasional styling that felt overly theatrical, but the overall aesthetic remains a standout element.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character and emotion, Colette is driven by compelling central performances. Keira Knightley’s portrayal of Colette and Dominic West’s contrasting delivery create palpable tension and empathy. Nonetheless, certain secondary roles feel underdeveloped and emotional beats sometimes lack unexpected depth. Overall, the lead performances sustain engagement even as character richness fluctuates among the supporting cast.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story and flow, the film unfolds a clear biographical arc underscored by feminist themes. Critics noted moments of wit and thematic resonance, yet pacing can drag and certain plot developments feel underexplored. Occasional clichés and implausible exchanges weaken the emotional impact. As a result, the narrative remains engaging but uneven in its depth and momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, Colette immerses with a cohesive period soundscape and rich visual style. Reviewers praised the delicate sound design, evocative score, and well-integrated costumes and makeup that enhance mood. Cinematography and production values were lauded for subtle camera movements and vibrant color palettes. Overall, the sensory elements strongly support the film’s atmospheric appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Regarding rewatch factor, Colette benefits from its performances and visual detail but lacks complexity that invites repeated viewings. While the central chemistry and refined art direction deliver enjoyment, narrative predictability and occasional superficiality limit fresh discoveries on revisit. Ultimately, the film remains pleasant on subsequent watches but lacks compulsive replayability.

Plot

Colette Plot Summary

What happens in Colette from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Colette, Keira Knightley is a young woman from the rural Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye at the end of the 19th century who begins an affair with Willy. Willy, Dominic West, eventually brings Colette to Paris as his bride, with socialites expressing surprise that a libertine like him would marry. He calls himself a literary entrepreneur, relying on several ghostwriters to draft articles, yet his extravagant lifestyle and constant entertaining of high society drain his finances. To keep up appearances, he hires a ghostwriter to work on a novel while Colette manages his correspondence. When Colette discovers Willy with a prostitute, the couple separates, though he eventually persuades her to return, promising honesty.

Full summary

The whole story of Colette, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Colette Box Office

Colette grossed $14.3 million worldwide. $5.1 million came from the US and Canada and $9.1 million (64%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.3M

US & Canada
$5.1M
International
$9.1M
US & Canada 36% Rest of the world 64%
Awards

Colette Awards & Nominations

Colette won 1 Oscar, including Documentary (Short Subject). Its biggest night was the Oscars 2021, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Colette Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

COLETTE | Official Trailer
  • Trailer Colette Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers
  • Trailer Colette | Official Trailer | (2018)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Colette?

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

Who plays the title role of Colette in the 2018 film?

Cars

Cars in Colette

1 car on screen: the 1911 Darracq Model RR.

  • 1911 Darracq Model RR in Colette 1911 Darracq Model RR Minor role
Details

Colette Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Колет” and “콜레트”.

Also known as
  • Колет
  • 콜레트
  • Колетт
  • Colette: Príbeh vášne
  • Koletė
  • Colette: liberación y deseo
  • Colette - Eine Frau schreibt Geschichte
  • 柯莱特
  • 花都教主柯蕾特
  • 寫我華麗緣
  • Kolete
  • Colette: Příběh vášně
+2 more
  • קולט, კოლეტი
  • コレット

Seen Colette?

FAQ

Colette FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Colette, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Colette?

Colette runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Colette released?

Colette was released on September 21, 2018.

Who directed Colette?

Colette was directed by Wash Westmoreland.

More films by Wash Westmoreland

Who is in the cast of Colette?

Colette stars Keira Knightley as Colette, Dominic West as Willy and Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgie Raoul-Duval, among 22 credited actors.

Where can I watch Colette?

In the US, Colette is streaming on Cinemax, Hoopla and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Colette make at the box office?

Colette grossed $14.3 million worldwide ($5.1 million domestic, $9.1 million international).

How is Colette rated?

Colette has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 74 on Metacritic, 69% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

What awards did Colette win?

Colette won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Documentary (Short Subject) at the Oscars 2021.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app