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What's After the Movie?
Adventure drama

Crater (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Crater (2023) movie poster

Crater is a 2023 adventure drama directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, starring Isaiah Russell-Bailey as Caleb, Billy Barratt and Mckenna Grace. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
Echo Score
60
Metascore
65
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Crater (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genres
Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama , Family
Original language
English
Studio
Disney+
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Crater About?

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

Following the loss of his father, Caleb prepares to leave his lunar colony. He and his friends embark on a journey to explore a mysterious crater, fulfilling his father's last wish. Along the way, they encounter a new companion from Earth and experience a thrilling adventure filled with humor and self-discovery as they uncover the crater’s secrets.

Crater Themes & Keywords

· 43 tags
  • death
  • space
  • coming of age
  • friend
  • father
  • planet
  • exploration
  • mysterious
  • boy
  • trip
  • legendary
  • growing
+31 more
  • girl
  • secret
  • teenager
  • young
  • colony
  • life
  • journey
  • moon
  • galaxy
  • astronaut
  • cosmic
  • 2250s
  • year 2257
  • 23rd century
  • futuristic
  • future
  • coming of age drama
  • space sci fi
  • dome
  • space station
  • lunar rover
  • moon buggy
  • gravity
  • baseball
  • child
  • children
  • teen drama
  • teen adventure
  • space adventure
  • survival adventure
  • character says 'sorry for your loss'
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Cast & crew

Crater Cast & Characters

Isaiah Russell-Bailey leads the cast as Caleb, with Billy Barratt as Dylan and Mckenna Grace as Addison. Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Kyle Patrick Alvarez

More films directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, best-rated first: The Stanford Prison Experiment, Easier with Practice, C.O.G. and Easier with Practice.

Full filmography
Ratings

Crater Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Crater 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (45).

60 /100

Crater Echo Score Breakdown

Crater delivers a modestly entertaining sci‑fi adventure that resonates most with younger viewers, but its overall impact is uneven. Critics note a blend of familiar tropes and occasional originality, while many point to formulaic storytelling and limited emotional depth. Viewers appreciate the family‑friendly tone, competent visuals, and a sweet ending, yet cite clichéd plot beats and uneven performances that hinder broader appeal. Consequently, the film sits squarely in the mixed‑review range.

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

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents solid production design and a believable lunar aesthetic. Critics and users commend the set pieces and muted palette, though some lament limited visual effects and occasional flashbacks that disrupt rhythm. The cinematography is serviceable, allowing suspension of disbelief, while the editing remains conventional. Overall, the craftsmanship is competent without reaching a standout level.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are mixed. The young cast receives praise for chemistry and occasional standout moments, yet many reviewers find the development superficial and dialogue uneven. Some critics highlight an emotional core that lifts the narrative, but audience feedback often mentions generic character arcs and a single strong lead amidst weaker peers. The net impression is modestly engaging but not deeply resonant.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the plot is perceived as formulaic and punctuated by cliché setups. Critics and viewers note pacing issues, forced action sequences, and logic gaps that undermine coherence. While a few acknowledge innovative touches within familiar tropes, the consensus leans toward a narrative that feels long and under‑developed for older audiences. Consequently, the storytelling earns a below‑average assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In the sensory experience, the film benefits from a pleasant musical score, convincing sound design, and visual elements that effectively convey a lunar setting. Reviewers appreciate the modest yet adequate CGI and set design, though some comment on dated or limited effects. The overall sensory package supports immersion and is regarded as a relative strength compared with other aspects.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    For rewatch factor, the movie offers family‑friendly moments and a hopeful ending that may appeal to children on repeat viewings. Critics suggest that the emotional core and occasional surprise could sustain interest, yet many users describe the story as generic and tiring, reducing its lasting allure. The mixed sentiments result in a moderate replay value, suitable mainly for a younger demographic.

Plot

Crater Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Crater from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a distant future, the Moon is a resource mine for humanity, and colonizing it has failed. People work 20 years in the lunar mines before they’re allowed to board a shuttle to a faraway world called Omega. If a miner dies before finishing those years, their next of kin must shoulder the remaining time, plus another 20 years if they’re over 18. Caleb Channing, whose father Michael dies in a mining accident, inherits a last will that orders Caleb to head for Omega because he’s under 18. Caleb, though, clings to a map his father left behind—a map to a crater on the Moon that he promised to visit. With three days before departure looming, Caleb feels the weight of that promise pull him away from Omega.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Crater?

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 name of the planet where miners are sent after completing their 20‑year term?

Details

Crater Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “月球奇幻之旅” and “月球奇幻旅”.

Also known as
  • 月球奇幻之旅
  • 月球奇幻旅
  • Cráter
  • A Cratera
  • Cratère
  • Le Cratère
  • गड्ढा
  • Cratere
  • クレーター
  • 陨石坑
  • 크레이터
  • Kráter
+7 more
  • Krater
  • Κρατήρας
  • Cráter: Un viaje inolvidable
  • クレーターをめざして
  • Кратер
  • המכתש על הירח
  • Krateris

Seen Crater?

FAQ

Crater FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Crater?

Crater runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Crater released?

Crater was released on May 12, 2023.

Who directed Crater?

Crater was directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez.

More films by Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Who is in the cast of Crater?

Crater stars Isaiah Russell-Bailey as Caleb, Billy Barratt as Dylan and Mckenna Grace as Addison, among 10 credited actors.

How is Crater rated?

Crater has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Crater have a post-credit scene?

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

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