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Documentary

Dahomey (2024): Ratings & Box Office

Dahomey (2024) movie poster

Dahomey is a 2024 documentary directed by Mati Diop. It runs 1 hour 8 minutes and earned $593,052 worldwide. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Documentary at the Lumières 2025. Critics gave it 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
worldwide gross
$593.1K
award won
1
Echo Score
85
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Dahomey (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 8m (68 min)
Director
Mati Diop
Genre
Documentary
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dahomey About?

The premise of Dahomey without spoilers.

In November 2021, twenty-six historical treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey were prepared to return to the Republic of Benin from Paris. This documentary, from Mati Diop (Atlantics), explores the complex issues surrounding appropriation, self-determination, and restitution as it follows the artifacts’ journey and examines how they will be received in a country that has changed significantly during their absence. Through multiple perspectives, the film raises questions about the repatriation of cultural heritage and its impact on identity and history. Winner of the Golden Bear at the 2024 Berlinale, this is a thought-provoking and essential conversation piece.

Dahomey Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • benin
  • dahomey kingdom
  • repatriation
  • one word title
  • statue
  • africa
  • title directed by female
  • no title at beginning
  • night
  • f rated
  • paris france
  • museum
+2 more
  • no opening credits
  • title at the end
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Crew

The Director of Dahomey

Directed by Mati Diop.

From the director

More from Mati Diop

More films directed by Mati Diop, best-rated first: Atlantics, Tokyo Trip, Naked Blue and Olympus.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dahomey Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dahomey 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (78).

85 /100

Dahomey Echo Score Breakdown

Dahomey delivers a compelling exploration of cultural restitution through a concise documentary format. Reviews highlight its poetic structure and confrontational moments, where student dialogues bring sharp insight into colonial legacies. Its formal playfulness and unhurried pacing balance introspection with academic rigor. While the film’s brevity limits narrative depth, it maintains engagement through rich anthropological commentary. Overall, Dahomey emerges as an intellectually stimulating and visually assured documentary that leaves a lasting impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of Art & Craft, Dahomey exhibits refined visual composition and deliberate editing choices. Its cool, static framing and understated color palette create a measured atmosphere that underscores the film’s thematic concerns. The editing maintains a poised rhythm, allowing each shot to convey layered meaning. Ultimately, the film’s formal playfulness and visual cohesion reinforce its contemplative tone.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the documentary fosters intimate engagement with participants’ voices. It foregrounds student discussions to reveal emotional stakes and conflicts around cultural restitution. The film’s focus on personal reflection and anthropological dialogue deepens emotional resonance. In conclusion, Dahomey’s nuanced portrayal of individuals cultivates empathy and underscores the human dimension of its subject matter.

  • Story & Flow 84

    For Story & Flow, Dahomey combines brisk pacing with thoughtful structure to navigate complex themes. Its concise 68-minute runtime allows for focused exploration, though the conference-like presentation sometimes limits narrative momentum. Nonetheless, the film’s poetic sequencing and clear thematic arcs maintain engagement and originality. Overall, the storytelling approach balances introspective moments with confrontational discussions to deliver a coherent and purposeful narrative.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    In terms of Sensory Experience, Dahomey emphasizes visual and auditory restraint to heighten its contemplative mood. The film’s sound design is subtle, allowing ambient voices and space to resonate without musical embellishment. Visually, the static compositions and precise framing reinforce the thematic weight and aid cohesion. These restrained sensory choices collectively immerse viewers in the film’s reflective and measured atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    When considering Rewatch Factor, Dahomey’s intellectual depth and formal elegance offer merit for subsequent viewings. Its dense anthropological dialogue and poetic structure reveal new insights upon repeat engagement. However, the documentary’s static presentation and conference-style format may limit casual rewatch appeal. Overall, the film’s layered thematic content sustains interest, though its academic tone may deter frequent revisits.

Box office

Dahomey Box Office

Dahomey grossed $593,052 worldwide. $100,959 came from the US and Canada and $492,093 (83%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$593.1K

US & Canada
$101K
International
$492.1K
US & Canada 17% Rest of the world 83%
Awards

Dahomey Awards & Nominations

Dahomey won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Documentary at the Lumières 2025.

1 win1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Dahomey Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2 [Subtitled]
  • Clip Clip [Subtitled]
  • Featurette Mati Diop on Dahomey
  • Featurette Mati Diop on Dahomey | NYFF62
Details

Dahomey Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Дагомея” and “達荷美:祖靈回家”.

Also known as
  • Дагомея
  • 達荷美:祖靈回家
  • 达荷美
  • 다호메이
  • 回歸達荷美
  • Dahomej
  • Dahomėja
  • Δαχομέη
  • Dahomee

Seen Dahomey?

FAQ

Dahomey FAQ: Box Office, Awards & Runtime

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

How long is Dahomey?

Dahomey runs 1 hour 8 minutes (68 minutes).

When was Dahomey released?

Dahomey was released on October 25, 2024.

Who directed Dahomey?

Dahomey was directed by Mati Diop.

More films by Mati Diop

How much did Dahomey make at the box office?

Dahomey grossed $593,052 worldwide ($100,959 domestic, $492,093 international).

How is Dahomey rated?

Dahomey has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 85 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

What awards did Dahomey win?

Dahomey won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best Documentary at the Lumières 2025.

Does Dahomey have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Dahomey in?

The original language of Dahomey is French.

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