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Comedy drama

Columbus (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Columbus (2017) movie poster

Columbus is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Kogonada, starring Parker Posey, John Cho and Rory Culkin. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $1.1 million worldwide on a $700,000 budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 2018. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$1.1M
award nominations
3
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Columbus (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Kogonada
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$700K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Columbus About?

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

When a renowned architect falls ill, his son Jin unexpectedly finds himself in Columbus, Indiana, a city famed for its modernist architecture. There, he encounters Casey, a local library worker with a deep appreciation for design. As Jin grapples with his father’s condition, an unlikely connection develops between them, exploring themes of family, love, and finding a sense of belonging against the backdrop of the city’s distinctive buildings.

Columbus Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • architecture
  • asian man white woman relationship
  • indiana
  • city name in title
  • one word title
  • library
  • outdoor sculpture
  • tour guide
  • bank
  • hospital visit
  • mother daughter relationship
  • father son relationship
+38 more
  • covered bridge
  • columbus indiana
  • cleaning lady
  • reference to eero saarinen
  • reference to eliel saarinen
  • athens on the prairie
  • 2010s
  • translator
  • comatose father
  • hospital
  • american midwest
  • architect
  • middle aged man
  • professor
  • rain
  • umbrella
  • cell phone
  • apology
  • prologue
  • old man falls to the ground
  • church
  • mls masters of library science degree
  • sitting on the floor
  • bridge
  • college student
  • irwin conference center columbus indiana
  • watering plants
  • f word
  • crying woman
  • restaurant
  • telephone call
  • flashback
  • cleaning a vegetable
  • watching tv
  • year 1954
  • man wears a bathrobe
  • man brushes his teeth
  • friend
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Cast & crew

Columbus Cast

Parker Posey leads the cast, with John Cho and Rory Culkin. Directed by Kogonada; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Kogonada

More films directed by Kogonada, best-rated first: After Yang, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Once There Was Everything and Mirrors of Bergman.

Full filmography
Ratings

Columbus Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Columbus 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in sensory experience (92) and weakest in story & flow (55).

78 /100

Columbus Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Columbus wins admiration for its deliberate pacing and visual elegance even as its narrative unfolds at a restrained tempo. Critics emphasize the film’s meditative approach to architecture and emotion, noting that its static compositions yield therapeutic beauty. Audience feedback reflects appreciation for the cinematography and reflective tone, although some viewers find the slow plot progression underwhelming. The balance of cinematic craftsmanship against narrative minimalism results in a film that is compelling for contemplative viewers but may test the patience of those seeking more dynamic storytelling.

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, Columbus exhibits striking visual design and measured editing that underscore its architectural focus. Critics highlight the clean compositions and precision of framing, while viewers praise the symmetry of building shots and subtle transitions. The film’s understated color palette and cohesive production design reinforce its contemplative aesthetic. Overall, the art direction sustains a lasting visual appeal.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Columbus delivers nuanced performances anchored by its leads. Reviews note Haley Lu Richardson’s expressive depth and John Cho’s understated presence, though some viewers find the emotional engagement restrained. The on-screen chemistry emerges gradually through quiet exchanges and shared silences. Ultimately, the character work offers subtle resonance that aligns with the film’s reflective tone.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, Columbus adopts a deliberate pace that emphasizes atmosphere over plot momentum. While critics appreciate its methodical structure and thematic cohesion, audiences are divided over the sparse narrative drive. Observers point to extended scenes that invite contemplation but may feel inert to some. In sum, the story’s contemplative rhythm engenders a meditative but occasionally meandering experience.

  • Sensory Experience 92

    In sensory terms, Columbus excels with its evocative soundtrack and meticulous sound design paired with a coherent visual style. Critics laud the ethereal score that complements the concrete imagery, and users cite the film’s audio-visual harmony. The polished sound mixing and consistent visual motifs enhance immersion. Altogether, the sensory elements heighten the film’s reflective atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When it comes to rewatch value, Columbus offers layers that invite repeated viewings. Some viewers note fresh discoveries in character subtleties and architectural details on subsequent watches. However, the deliberate pace may deter those seeking more dynamic narratives. Overall, the film’s contemplative nature yields moderate replay appeal, especially for architecture enthusiasts.

Plot

Columbus Plot Summary

What happens in Columbus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Columbus, Indiana, Jin Lee arrives from South Korea to watch over his estranged father, who, while visiting the town to give a lecture about architecture, has fallen into a coma and is now in a local hospital. One day, Casey, a young woman who works in a library near the hospital, crosses paths with him. Casey lives with and takes care of her mother, a recovering drug addict.

Full summary

The whole story of Columbus, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Columbus Box Office & Budget

Columbus grossed $1.1 million worldwide on a $700,000 budget, 1.6 times what it cost. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $77,110 (7%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1M

1.6× its budget

US & Canada
$1M
International
$77.1K
Budget
$700K
US & Canada 93% Rest of the world 7%
Awards

Columbus Awards & Nominations

Columbus earned 3 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 2018.

3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Columbus Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser 1
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Columbus?

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

In which city and state is the film primarily set?

Cars

Cars in Columbus

6 cars on screen, including the 1990 Honda Civic and the 2013 Cadillac SRX.

All 6 cars
  • 1990 Honda Civic in Columbus 1990 Honda Civic Main role
  • 2013 Cadillac SRX in Columbus 2013 Cadillac SRX Minor role
  • 2016 Volkswagen Passat NMS in Columbus 2016 Volkswagen Passat NMS Minor role
  • 2006 Cadillac DTS in Columbus 2006 Cadillac DTS Background role
Details

Columbus Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “콜럼버스” and “構築心方向”.

Also known as
  • 콜럼버스
  • 構築心方向
  • Колумбус
  • Калъмбъс
  • 在哥伦布
  • Κολόμπους
  • Kolumbas
  • コロンバス
  • 心靈築動
  • קולומבוס

Seen Columbus?

FAQ

Columbus FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Columbus?

Columbus runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Columbus released?

Columbus was released on August 4, 2017.

Who directed Columbus?

Columbus was directed by Kogonada.

More films by Kogonada

Who is in the cast of Columbus?

Columbus stars Parker Posey, John Cho and Rory Culkin, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Columbus make at the box office?

Columbus grossed $1.1 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $77,110 international) on a budget of $700,000.

How is Columbus rated?

Columbus has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Columbus nominated for any awards?

Columbus received 3 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Columbus have a post-credit scene?

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

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