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Drama musical

Come from Away (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Come from Away (2021) movie poster

Come from Away is a 2021 drama musical directed by Christopher Ashley, starring Joel Hatch as Claude Elliott and others, Emily Walton and Astrid Van Wieren. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $1.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10.

IMDb rating
8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$1.7M
Echo Score
81
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Come from Away (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Musical
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Come from Away About?

The premise of Come from Away without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, nearly 7,000 stranded travelers are unexpectedly diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. The small town’s residents open their homes and hearts, welcoming the unexpected guests with remarkable generosity. This true story explores the connections forged between the travelers and the locals as they navigate uncertainty and find solace in one another. It's a heartwarming tale of compassion, friendship, and the strength of community during a time of global crisis, showcasing the profound impact of human kindness.

Come from Away Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • based on broadway musical
  • september 11 2001
  • gander newfoundland and labrador
  • based on true story
  • stage musical
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Cast & crew

Come from Away Cast & Characters

Joel Hatch leads the cast as Claude Elliott and others, with Emily Walton as Janice Mosher and others and Astrid Van Wieren as Beulah Davis and others. Directed by Christopher Ashley; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Come from Away

· 6 more
From the director

More from Christopher Ashley

More films directed by Christopher Ashley, best-rated first: Diana: The Musical, Lucky Stiff, All Shook Up and Jeffrey.

Full filmography
Ratings

Come from Away Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Come from Away 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in story & flow (70).

81 /100

Come from Away Echo Score Breakdown

Come from Away delivers a largely uplifting musical experience anchored by sincere performances and a compassionate narrative. Critics commend its staged spectacle and emotional resonance, while a minority note a static presentation that can feel like a recorded theater piece. User feedback mirrors this split, with most praising the heartfelt storytelling and a few finding the format lacking depth. The consensus points to a strong, though occasionally uneven, adaptation that rewards viewers seeking hope and humanity.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film benefits from a well‑crafted stage capture and vibrant cinematography praised by several reviewers. Critics highlighted the “brilliantly shot” spectacle, though some found the presentation occasionally flat, likening it to a recorded theater. Viewers noted the clarity of production design but mentioned limited cinematic dynamism. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid with room for greater filmic flair.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character work, performances are widely regarded as nuanced and emotionally resonant. Critics and audiences highlighted the ensemble’s chemistry and the ability to convey compassion across diverse roles. Positive remarks focus on heartfelt portrayals, while isolated critiques describe the character beats as sentimental. The balance of strong acting and authentic emotion leads to a high assessment of this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 70

    The narrative structure receives mixed feedback, with many praising the uplifting arc of community solidarity after 9/11. Some reviewers, however, point out a thin plot framework and occasional pacing issues, noting that the story leans heavily on episodic moments rather than a tight script. While the core message remains compelling, the storytelling is seen as competent but not consistently engaging.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Sensory elements such as the soundtrack and visual style are generally well‑received. Critics applaud the layered musical score and effective sound design that enhance emotional tone, though one review labeled the audio as “aural wallpaper.” Viewers appreciated the clear visuals and distinct dialect work, but the static set design limited visual immersion. Overall, the sensory experience is positive with minor drawbacks.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch value is regarded as strong, with many reviewers citing the film’s ability to inspire optimism and its emotionally rewarding moments. The consensus suggests that audiences find the musical uplifting enough to return, while a few dissenting voices criticize its format as less compelling on repeat viewings. The predominance of favorable comments supports a high rewatch factor score.

Plot

Come from Away Plot Summary

What happens in Come from Away from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On the morning of September 11, 2001, the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, are thrust into a global crisis. While at a local Tim Hortons, the town’s mayor, Claude Elliott, is informed of the terrorist attacks by Janice Mosher, a reporter. Due to the sudden closure of US airspace, 38 diverted flights land at Gander International Airport, nearly doubling the town’s population with 7,000 stranded passengers.

The community immediately springs into action to provide care. Schoolteachers Beulah Davis and Annette organize the local school for shelter, while Bonnie Harris from the SPCA ensures that animals in the plane holds are cared for. To solve transportation issues, Mayor Claude reaches an agreement with union leader Garth to end a bus drivers’ strike.

Full summary

The whole story of Come from Away, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Come from Away Box Office

Come from Away grossed $1.7 million worldwide. $184,477 came from the US and Canada and $1.5 million (89%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.7M

US & Canada
$184.5K
International
$1.5M
US & Canada 11% Rest of the world 89%
Videos

Come from Away Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Come from Away.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Come from Away?

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 town does the story primarily take place?

Details

Come from Away Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “远道而来” and “来自远方”.

Also known as
  • 远道而来
  • 来自远方
  • Máshonnan jöttek
  • Come from Away: Bem-Vindos a Gander
  • Come From Away: Bienvenidos a Gander
  • הם באו מרחוק
  • 컴 프롬 어웨이
  • Đến Từ Phương Xa
  • Гости издалека
  • カム・フロム・アウェイ
  • 來自遠方
  • Przybywacie z daleka

Seen Come from Away?

FAQ

Come from Away FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Come from Away?

Come from Away runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Come from Away released?

Come from Away was released on September 10, 2021.

Who directed Come from Away?

Come from Away was directed by Christopher Ashley.

More films by Christopher Ashley

Who is in the cast of Come from Away?

Come from Away stars Joel Hatch as Claude Elliott and others, Emily Walton as Janice Mosher and others and Astrid Van Wieren as Beulah Davis and others, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Come from Away make at the box office?

Come from Away grossed $1.7 million worldwide ($184,477 domestic, $1.5 million international).

How is Come from Away rated?

Come from Away has 8.5/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Does Come from Away have a post-credit scene?

No. Come from Away has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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