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Custody (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Custody (2018) movie poster

Custody is a 2018 drama directed by Xavier Legrand, starring Léa Drucker as Miriam Besson, Mathilde Auneveux and Thomas Gioria. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $3.8 million worldwide on a $3.1 million budget. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$3.8M
Echo Score
78
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Custody (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Xavier Legrand
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
Budget
$3.1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Custody About?

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

Facing a difficult divorce, Miriam is desperate to secure sole custody of her son, Julien, concerned about Antoine's volatile temper. When a judge grants joint custody, Julien finds himself caught in a tense and emotionally draining conflict between his parents. As the legal battle intensifies, the boy must navigate a challenging situation and confront the growing darkness that threatens to destroy his family.

Custody Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • divorce
  • lie
  • child custody
  • violent father
  • judge
  • lawyer
  • birthday party
  • france
  • divorced parents
  • jealous rage
  • fear
  • anger
+38 more
  • jealousy
  • couple
  • husband wife relationship
  • custody battle
  • apartment
  • boy
  • cigarette smoking
  • kiss
  • bus
  • toilet
  • mother son relationship
  • singing
  • neighbor
  • rifle
  • police
  • bathtub
  • police arrest
  • no music score
  • written by director
  • cell phone
  • divorce proceedings
  • violent man
  • insane with jealousy
  • pathological jealousy
  • father son estrangement
  • father daughter estrangement
  • pregnancy test
  • veiled threat
  • shotgun
  • shooting through a door
  • house key
  • directorial debut
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • handcuffs
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • 11 year old
  • mother daughter relationship
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Cast & crew

Custody Cast & Characters

Léa Drucker leads the cast as Miriam Besson, with Mathilde Auneveux as Joséphine Besson and Thomas Gioria as Julien Besson. Directed by Xavier Legrand; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Custody

· 6 more
Ratings

Custody Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Custody 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

78 /100

Custody Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Custody excels in technical execution and sustained tension but is tempered by narrative limitations and uneven character depth. The film’s artful direction, precise editing, and immersive sound design generate a palpable atmosphere, while seasoned performances convey emotional intensity. Some reviewers noted a lack of subplot resolution and limited internal perspective, particularly in character motivations. These factors slightly undermine originality and coherence. In sum, the film delivers a gripping sensory experience despite occasional storytelling constraints.

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 art and craft, the film’s direction and technical execution are among its strongest elements. Critics highlighted its precise camerawork, deliberate editing, and attention to sound design, which fuse documentary realism with thriller intensity. Some noted minor inconsistencies in visual rhythm. Overall, the film demonstrates consistent craft and visual restraint.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are generally commended for their intensity and clarity. Lead actors deliver crisp dialogue and convey palpable tension, yet several observers pointed out a lack of internal perspective and nuanced backstory. Emotional moments resonate through restrained close-ups but deeper motivations remain underexplored. Overall, the character work feels vivid yet somewhat limited.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative’s tension and pacing secure sustained engagement, especially in its closing acts. Reviewers praised its verity and structured suspense, though originality and depth are flagged as shortcomings. Some plot threads, like the dropped subplot and legal context, are left underdeveloped, which can weaken coherence. Overall, story progression is compelling but not fully realized.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film leverages its sound design and musical cues to amplify atmosphere. Background sound editing and a restrained soundtrack create bone-deep tension, while tight framing enhances claustrophobic immersion. Visual style balances documentary realism with measured compositions. The sensory elements consistently reinforce the film’s tone and maintain a compelling intensity throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s intense opening and unrelenting tension leave a memorable imprint. Critics found its visceral impact and technical proficiency worthy of repeat viewings, though narrative predictability and limited character nuance may diminish subsequent engagement. Occasional loose ends and a lack of surprises temper lasting appeal. Overall, the film offers moderate replay value.

Plot

Custody Plot Summary

What happens in Custody from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Miriam Besson, Léa Drucker and Antoine Besson are a recently divorced couple navigating a tense custody dispute that reaches the courtroom with mounting emotional weight. They share two children: Joséphine Besson, Mathilde Auneveux, who is nearly eighteen, and Julien Besson, Thomas Gioria, who is eleven. In the custody hearing, Miriam seeks sole custody to shield Julien from what she describes as violent behavior by Antoine, presenting a letter from Julien that expresses his wish not to see his father. The scene is charged with fear, care, and the complexities of a family divided.

Full summary

The whole story of Custody, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Custody Box Office & Budget

Custody grossed $3.8 million worldwide on a $3.1 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $83,882 came from the US and Canada and $3.7 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.8M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$83.9K
International
$3.7M
Budget
$3.1M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Custody?

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

Who plays Miriam Besson, the mother seeking sole custody of her son?

Details

Custody Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Velayet” and “Custodia Compartida”.

Also known as
  • Velayet
  • Custodia Compartida
  • Jeszcze nie koniec
  • 아직 끝나지 않았다
  • L'affido - Una storia di violenza
  • Nach dem Urteil
  • KP18: Sūnaus globa
  • Allt för min son
  • Опекунство
  • Láthatás
  • Μετά το Χωρισμό
  • Sūnaus globa
+10 more
  • Custódia
  • Попечителство
  • 家戰
  • 监护风云
  • 監護權爭戰
  • Střídavá péče
  • משמורת
  • Striedavá starostlivosť
  • Custódia Partilhada
  • Custodie

Seen Custody?

FAQ

Custody FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Custody?

Custody runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Custody released?

Custody was released on June 29, 2018.

Who directed Custody?

Custody was directed by Xavier Legrand.

More films by Xavier Legrand

Who is in the cast of Custody?

Custody stars Léa Drucker as Miriam Besson, Mathilde Auneveux as Joséphine Besson and Thomas Gioria as Julien Besson, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Custody make at the box office?

Custody grossed $3.8 million worldwide ($83,882 domestic, $3.7 million international) on a budget of $3.1 million.

How is Custody rated?

Custody has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Custody have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Custody in?

The original language of Custody is French.

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