Colette (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Wash Westmoreland
- Original language
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French
- Studio
- Bleecker Street
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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 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.
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.
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Director Wash Westmoreland
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Keira Knightley as Colette -
Dominic West as Willy -
Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgie Raoul-Duval -
Fiona Shaw as Sido
Also Starring in Colette
· 18 more- Robert Pugh Jules
- Ray Panthaki Veber
- Denise Gough
- Attila Árpa
- Caroline Boulton
- Rebecca Root Rachilde
- Aiysha Hart
- Al Weaver Schwob
- Arabella Weir Mme. de Caillavet
- Máté Haumann Count Muffat
- Jake Graf Gaston de Caillavet
- Masayoshi Haneda
- Virág Bárány Lotte Kinceler
- Dickie Beau Wague
- Shannon Tarbet
- Sloan Thompson Matilde
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
100 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$14.3M
- US & Canada
- $5.1M
- International
- $9.1M
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
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Oscars 2021 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Documentary (Short Subject)
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Spirit Awards 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Screenplay
Colette Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 3 trailers.
- Trailer Colette Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers
- Trailer Colette | Official Trailer | (2018)
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the title role of Colette in the 2018 film?
Cars in Colette
1 car on screen: the 1911 Darracq Model RR.
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1911 Darracq Model RR Minor role
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 Show fewer
- קולט, კოლეტი
- コレット
Seen Colette?
Movies Like Colette
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Becoming Colette, Camille Claudel and Curiosa.
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.
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