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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Dalíland (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Dalíland (2023) movie poster

Dalíland is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Mary Harron, starring Ben Kingsley as Salvador Dali, Christopher Briney and Barbara Sukowa. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $508,421 worldwide. Critics gave it 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
43%
worldwide gross
$508.4K
Echo Score
57
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Dalíland (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Mary Harron
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dalíland About?

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

In 1974, a young assistant named James becomes immersed in the world of Salvador Dalí, portrayed by Ben Kingsley, as the famed artist prepares for a significant gallery exhibition in both New York and Spain. The film explores the complexities of Dalí's relationship with his wife, Gala, played by Barbara Sukowa, and delves into the challenges of maintaining his artistic legacy. Through James's perspective, we observe Dalí’s unique personality, creative intensity, and the growing awareness of his own mortality.

Dalíland Themes & Keywords

· 42 tags
  • spain
  • surrealism
  • painter
  • manhattan new york city
  • based on real person
  • painter as protagonist
  • bohemian life
  • new york city
  • genius
  • mentor protege relationship
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
+30 more
  • aging
  • female rear nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • full frontal nudity
  • dialogue driven
  • dysfunctional marriage
  • 1970s
  • nudity
  • reference to paul eluard
  • artistic creation
  • flashback
  • 20th century
  • art student
  • docudrama drama
  • year 1973
  • salvador dali character
  • transgender
  • watching someone having sex
  • body paint
  • implied sex
  • alice cooper character
  • reference to alice cooper
  • parkinson's disease
  • panel game show
  • threesome
  • reference to what's my line
  • title spoken by character
  • man wears eyeglasses
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Cast & crew

Dalíland Cast & Characters

Ben Kingsley leads the cast as Salvador Dali, with Christopher Briney as James and Barbara Sukowa as Gala. Directed by Mary Harron; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dalíland

· 6 more
Ratings

Dalíland Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dalíland 43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (45).

57 /100

Dalíland Echo Score Breakdown

Dalíland elicits a mixed response, with critics and viewers agreeing that Ben Kingsley's portrayal anchors the film while the narrative feels conventional. The visual design and soundtrack receive commendation for capturing the artist's eccentric world, yet the direction and editing are described as uneven and formulaic. Storytelling choices are often labeled thin and safe, limiting emotional depth. Consequently, the film offers occasional highlights but struggles to sustain lasting appeal, resulting in a moderate overall rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, reviewers note the film's glossy cinematography and striking production design, which convey Dalí's vivid environment. However, criticism targets the direction as formulaic and the editing as uneven, creating pacing concerns. The combination of visual strengths with technical inconsistencies yields a balanced but unremarkable impression of the film's craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, Kingsley's performance is repeatedly highlighted as a standout, described as nuanced, vulnerable, and compelling. Supporting actors receive mixed remarks, but the overall acting quality is praised for capturing the eccentricities of Dalí and Gala. This strong central portrayal lifts the film despite other shortcomings, leading to a notably positive assessment of the character dimension.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive the most criticism, with many describing the script as formulaic, thin, and lacking focus. Reviewers point out missed opportunities for a daring narrative, noting that the plot often feels safe and conventional. The pacing is affected by uneven editing, and the overall storytelling fails to fully engage, resulting in a low to moderate appraisal of this aspect.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience garners moderate praise; the visual style is praised for its vibrant depiction of Dalí's world, and the orchestral score is noted as genteel yet fitting. Some users mention specific soundtrack choices that enhance mood. While the sensory elements generally succeed, occasional generic moments prevent full enthusiasm, producing an overall favorable but not exceptional sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor shows divided sentiment. Enthusiastic viewers find the film enjoyable and recommend it, largely due to the strong lead performance. Conversely, several critics and users argue that the predictable plot and conventional approach diminish replay value. This split opinion leads to a middling assessment of the film's lasting appeal and likelihood of multiple viewings.

Plot

Dalíland Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Dalíland from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1974 New York, Dalíland tells the intriguing story of James, a young assistant tasked with the significant responsibility of aiding the iconic surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. His mission is clear: ensure that Dalí completes his paintings in time for an anticipated, major exhibition. Upon entering Dalí’s chaotic realm at the luxurious St. Regis Hotel, James quickly finds himself enveloped in an extravagant world filled with a wild entourage, ongoing parties, and countless distractions.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Dalíland Box Office

Dalíland grossed $508,421 worldwide. $82,769 came from the US and Canada and $425,652 (84%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$508.4K

US & Canada
$82.8K
International
$425.7K
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

Dalíland Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Oscar Winner Sir Ben Kingsley on Becoming Salvador Dalí | DALÍLAND | TIFF 2023
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dalíland?

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

In which year is the main narrative of the movie set in New York City?

Details

Dalíland Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Dali Land” and “Daliland”.

Also known as
  • Dali Land
  • Daliland
  • ウェルカム トゥ ダリ
  • 達利:慾望之謎
  • ДалиЛенд
  • Dali Diyarı
  • 달리랜드
  • Dalilendas
  • Быть Сальвадором Дали
  • 达利之地
  • Ma vie avec Dalí
  • דאלילנד
+1 more
  • Dežela Dalí

Seen Dalíland?

FAQ

Dalíland FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Dalíland?

Dalíland runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Dalíland released?

Dalíland was released on June 9, 2023.

Who directed Dalíland?

Dalíland was directed by Mary Harron.

More films by Mary Harron

Who is in the cast of Dalíland?

Dalíland stars Ben Kingsley as Salvador Dali, Christopher Briney as James and Barbara Sukowa as Gala, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Dalíland make at the box office?

Dalíland grossed $508,421 worldwide ($82,769 domestic, $425,652 international).

How is Dalíland rated?

Dalíland has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Dalíland have a post-credit scene?

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

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