Cuties (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Cuties is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Denny Shoopman and Maïmouna Doucouré, starring Maïmouna Gueye as Mariam, Demba Diaw and Myriam Hamma. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $692,459 worldwide on a $15,000 budget. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 1.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Directors
- Denny Shoopman and Maïmouna Doucouré
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Bac Films
- Budget
- $15K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Cuties About?
The premise of Cuties without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Amy, an eleven-year-old girl, is drawn into a vibrant and rebellious dance crew, disrupting her childhood and introducing her to a world of self-expression. As she explores the electrifying power of dance, she also navigates the complexities of friendship, adolescence, and discovering her own identity. The experience challenges her understanding of growing up and finding her voice.
Cuties Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- gay
- teenager
Cuties Cast & Characters
Maïmouna Gueye leads the cast as Mariam, with Demba Diaw as Ismaël and Myriam Hamma as Yasmine. Directed by Denny Shoopman and Maïmouna Doucouré; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Denny Shoopman
-
Co-director Maïmouna Doucouré
- Maïmouna Gueye as Mariam
- Demba Diaw as Ismaël
- Myriam Hamma as Yasmine
- Bilel Chegrani as Walid C.
Also Starring in Cuties
· 6 more- Mbissine Thérèse Diop La tante
- Esther Gohourou Coumba
- Ilanah Cami-Goursolas Jess
- Mamadou Samaké Samba
- Fathia Youssouf Abdillahi
- Medina El Aidi
Cuties Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Cuties 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 1.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Cuties Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Cuties presents a thought-provoking commentary on youthful agency that divides responses. While most critics commend its raw examination of early sexualization and applaud the director's sensitive approach, many viewers react negatively to its uncomfortable imagery and moral implications. The film’s impactful message is clear, but its execution remains polarizing. Overall, this tension results in a moderately positive impression tempered by ethical controversy.
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, Cuties exhibits confident direction and precise editing that underscore its thematic intent. The visual framing often emphasizes the contrast between childlike innocence and mature stylization, while production design remains unobtrusive to maintain focus. These choices deliver a cohesive aesthetic. Overall, the film’s craft effectively supports its narrative aims.
- Character & Emotion 78
When it comes to character and emotion, Cuties presents nuanced performances that reflect genuine adolescent uncertainty. The central portrayal captures conflicting desires for acceptance and autonomy, and supporting roles reinforce the thematic stakes without distraction. Emotional resonance emerges from understated interactions and credible chemistry. Overall, the film creates authentic character depth.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, Cuties offers a distinctive premise that interrogates social pressures on youth. Pacing varies with deliberate sequences designed to unsettle, although some narrative beats feel repetitive and raise questions without resolution. The engagement hinges on thematic intensity more than plot momentum. Overall, the film’s story is original but uneven in its progression.
- Sensory Experience 65
When considering sensory experience, Cuties employs a restrained soundtrack and unobtrusive sound design that accentuate its contemplative tone. The visual style is marked by naturalistic lighting and measured color palettes, reinforcing the film’s tonal contrast. Occasional rhythmic editing heightens tension, though auditory cues largely remain subdued. Overall, the sensory elements are cohesive and purposeful.
- Rewatch Factor 50
In terms of rewatch factor, Cuties may challenge repeated viewing due to its intense thematic focus and uncomfortable subject matter. The film’s confrontational approach prompts reflection but can diminish casual enjoyment on subsequent watches. While the message resonates, the persistent discomfort limits its replayability. Overall, the lasting appeal is moderate but constrained.
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IMDb 1.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 14%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 1.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 35% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.5 /5
56 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
Cuties Plot Summary
What happens in Cuties from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Amy, an 11-year-old girl hailing from Senegal, navigates her life in an apartment nestled within one of Paris’ most impoverished neighborhoods. Living with her mother, Mariam, and her two younger brothers—one of whom is Ismaël—her world is colored by the complexities of her family dynamics. Her heart simmers with rage towards her father, who is poised to bring home a second wife, a situation that exacerbates her frustration with the polygamous family structure. In addition, Amy finds herself at odds with the Islamic traditions that her aunt seeks to impose on her, leading to a brewing discontent that is palpable throughout her daily life.
Full summary
The whole story of Cuties, scene by scene
Cuties Box Office & Budget
Cuties grossed $692,459 worldwide on a $15,000 budget, 46 times what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$692.5K
46× its budget
- International
- $692.5K
- Budget
- $15K
Cuties Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Cuties.
How Well Do You Know Cuties?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the main character in 'Cuties'?
Cuties Also Known As
Also known as “娇娃们”.
- Also known as
-
- 娇娃们
Seen Cuties?
Movies Like Cuties
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Girl, Cutie Pie and Tucked.
Cuties FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Cuties, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cuties?
Cuties runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Cuties released?
Cuties was released on September 9, 2020.
Who directed Cuties?
Cuties was directed by Denny Shoopman and Maïmouna Doucouré.
Who is in the cast of Cuties?
Cuties stars Maïmouna Gueye as Mariam, Demba Diaw as Ismaël and Myriam Hamma as Yasmine, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Cuties make at the box office?
Cuties grossed $692,459 worldwide on a budget of $15,000.
How is Cuties rated?
Cuties has 1.5/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 35% on TMDB.
Does Cuties have a post-credit scene?
No. Cuties has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Cuties in?
The original language of Cuties is French.
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