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Sci-fi horror film

Crimes of the Future (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Crimes of the Future (2022) movie poster

Crimes of the Future is a 2022 sci-fi horror film directed by David Cronenberg, starring Viggo Mortensen as Saul Tenser, Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $4.6 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Make-Up in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2022. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$4.6M
award nominations
3
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Crimes of the Future (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
David Cronenberg
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
Budget
$35M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Crimes of the Future About?

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

In a dystopian future where the human body undergoes synthetic evolution, performance artist Saul Tenser showcases unsettling transformations of his own organs alongside his partner, Caprice. As Saul’s fame grows, a detective, Timlin, begins to monitor their activities. However, a shadowy organization sees an opportunity to exploit Saul's notoriety, intending to reveal a disturbing progression in human evolution and further obscure the line between biology and technology.

Crimes of the Future Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • body horror
  • eating plastic
  • organ removal
  • child autopsy
  • transhumanism
  • dystopian sci fi
  • murder
  • leap in evolution
  • scar
  • tattoo
  • facial cut
  • cut with a knife
+38 more
  • autopsy
  • corpse in freezer
  • synthetic food
  • surgical operation
  • surgical scar
  • surgical experiment
  • surgical show
  • drill in the head
  • murdered with a drill
  • mother murders her son
  • mother son relationship
  • capsized ship
  • dead body
  • suspended bed
  • pain
  • food
  • eating
  • coughing
  • surgery
  • videotaping
  • audience
  • art
  • detective
  • artist
  • conceptual art
  • pleasure
  • body art
  • cosmetic surgery
  • body crime
  • performance surgery
  • politics
  • organ generation
  • archive
  • scalpel
  • technician
  • chest scar
  • industrial waste
  • genetics
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Cast & crew

Crimes of the Future Cast & Characters

Viggo Mortensen leads the cast as Saul Tenser, with Léa Seydoux as Caprice and Kristen Stewart as Timlin. Directed by David Cronenberg; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Crimes of the Future Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Crimes of the Future 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

71 /100

Crimes of the Future Echo Score Breakdown

Crimes of the Future presents a visually arresting experience anchored by strong direction and striking cinematography, while its narrative cohesion falters for many viewers. Critics and fans praise the film's daring aesthetic and occasional standout performances, yet note uneven pacing and a lack of a decisive climax. The result is a divisive work that rewards appreciation of its sensory ambition but may deter those seeking a more conventional story.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film excels, with reviewers highlighting elegant ease, hypnotic imagery, and meticulous production design. Critics commend the crisp, detailed picture and inventive use of color and lighting. Some note a clinical or slow pace, but the majority of commentary underscores the film's strong artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When assessing performances, critics acknowledge Mortensen, Seydoux, and especially Stewart for delivering nuanced, compelling portrayals. Several reviewers cite strong chemistry and a standout lead. Conversely, a few comments describe characters as flat or lacking clear motivation, creating a mixed yet generally positive impression of the acting.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding narrative flow, opinions diverge sharply. Some praise the film's thought‑provoking themes and integration of eco‑horror concepts, while many point to a weak plot structure, sluggish pacing, and absence of a climactic resolution. The story is seen as secondary to visual spectacle, resulting in an overall lukewarm assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience stands out, with reviewers applauding striking visuals, inventive lighting, and a distinct color palette. Sound design receives limited mention, but the overall auditory ambience supports the film's unsettling tone. The consensus is that the film delivers a memorable and immersive sensory landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch potential is mixed; enthusiasts appreciate the film's layered imagery and thematic depth, suggesting repeat viewings may reveal new details. However, several critics describe the pacing as tedious and the narrative as unsatisfying, limiting its appeal for multiple viewings. The overall impression leans toward modest replay value.

Plot

Crimes of the Future Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Crimes of the Future 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At an undetermined future, significant innovations in biotechnology have led to the development of machines and analogue computers that seamlessly interact with and regulate human bodily functions, making it a commonplace reality. Alongside this, humanity has undergone several biological transformations of unknown origins. A notable change is the absence of physical pain and infectious diseases for most, which has made surgeries possible in regular settings while individuals are conscious. However, some people are experiencing more radical physiological alterations. One striking case is that of a young boy named Brecken, who possesses the extraordinary ability to consume and digest plastics as if they were food. Believing her son to be inhuman, Brecken’s mother tragically smothers him with a pillow, leaving his body to be discovered later by his father, Lang Dotrice.

Full summary

The whole story of Crimes of the Future, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Crimes of the Future Box Office & Budget

Crimes of the Future grossed $4.6 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 13% of what it cost. $2.5 million came from the US and Canada and $2.1 million (46%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.6M

13% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2.5M
International
$2.1M
Budget
$35M
US & Canada 54% Rest of the world 46%
Awards

Crimes of the Future Awards & Nominations

Crimes of the Future earned 3 award nominations, including Best Make-Up in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2022.

3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Crimes of the Future Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 4 trailers, 4 teasers and 2 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Redband Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer #2
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Crimes of the Future?

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 unique ability does Brecken possess?

Details

Crimes of the Future Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Painkillers” and “Müstakbel Suçlar”.

Also known as
  • Painkillers
  • Müstakbel Suçlar
  • 크라임스 오브 더 퓨처
  • Nākotnes noziegumi
  • 미래의 범죄
  • 後人類罪行
  • 未来罪行
  • 미래의 범죄들
  • Infracțiunile viitorului
  • Zbrodnie przyszłości
  • Злочини майбутнього
  • Crimes do Futuro
+16 more
  • Les Crimes du futur
  • Crímenes del futuro
  • A jövő bűnei
  • Преступления будущего
  • Zločiny budoucnosti
  • Zločini budućnosti
  • جرائم المستقبل
  • 未來犯罪
  • Tội Ác Trong Tương Lai
  • פשעי העתיד
  • Zločini prihodnosti
  • Ateities nusikaltimai
  • Εγκλήματα του Μέλλοντος
  • Crims del futur
  • クライムズ・オブ・ザ・フューチャー, მომავლის დანაშაულები
  • Престъпленията на бъдещето

Seen Crimes of the Future?

FAQ

Crimes of the Future FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Crimes of the Future?

Crimes of the Future runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Crimes of the Future released?

Crimes of the Future was released on June 3, 2022.

Who directed Crimes of the Future?

Crimes of the Future was directed by David Cronenberg.

More films by David Cronenberg

Who is in the cast of Crimes of the Future?

Crimes of the Future stars Viggo Mortensen as Saul Tenser, Léa Seydoux as Caprice and Kristen Stewart as Timlin, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Crimes of the Future make at the box office?

Crimes of the Future grossed $4.6 million worldwide ($2.5 million domestic, $2.1 million international) on a budget of $35 million.

How is Crimes of the Future rated?

Crimes of the Future has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Was Crimes of the Future nominated for any awards?

Crimes of the Future received 3 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Crimes of the Future have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Crimes of the Future has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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