Damsel (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Damsel is a 2018 drama western directed by David Zellner, starring Mia Wasikowska as Penelope, Robert Pattinson and Nathan Zellner. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $323,235 worldwide. Critics gave it 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 53m (113 min)
- Director
- David Zellner
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Damsel About?
The premise of Damsel without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In the pursuit of his true love, Penelope, affluent pioneer Samuel Alabaster embarks on a journey across the untamed American Frontier. He's joined by Parson Henry, a guide with a fondness for whiskey, and Butterscotch, a spirited miniature horse. What begins as a straightforward quest quickly evolves into a dangerous adventure, blurring the lines between heroism and villainy and challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a damsel in distress.
Damsel Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- leather jacket
- dancing
- locket
- public hanging
- shot in the back of the head
- shot to death
- outhouse
- suicide by gun
- dynamite
- arrow in back
- explosion
- death by explosion
+38 more Show fewer
- engagement ring
- throwing a rock at someone
- written by cast member
- directed by cast member
- miniature horse
- remote beach
- proposing marriage on bended knee
- written by directors
- pioneer
- horse
- horseback riding
- drunkenness
- american frontier
- cowboy hat
- american flag
- pocket watch
- christian
- american indian
- native american
- wild west
- widower
- death in childbirth
- stagecoach
- bible
- prologue
- undressing
- long underwear
- man wears longjohns
- man wears long red underwear
- scene during opening credits
- dancer
- american west
- waiting for a stagecoach
- religion
- dead wife
- country music
- fiddler
- banjo
Damsel Cast & Characters
Mia Wasikowska leads the cast as Penelope, with Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster and Nathan Zellner as Rufus Cornell. Directed by David Zellner; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director David Zellner
-
Mia Wasikowska as Penelope -
Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster - Nathan Zellner as Rufus Cornell
- Joseph Billingiere as Zachariah Running Bear
Also Starring in Damsel
· 7 more- Robert Forster
- Morgan Lund Bar Creep
- Gary Brookins Sheriff
- David Wingo Barrel of Laughs
- Ray Kelleher Barkeep
- Robyn Adams
- Gabe Casdorph
Damsel Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Damsel 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Damsel Echo Score Breakdown
Damsel excels in visual composition and ambition, but its uneven momentum and thematic clarity temper its impact. Many reviews highlight striking cinematography and inventive humor, yet several note the deliberate pacing drags and moral underpinnings feel half-formed. The cast brings energy, though character arcs sometimes register as vague. Ultimately, the film offers moments of assured craft and wit amid an uneven narrative, making it a divisive but intriguing experience.
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 visual craft, Damsel presents commanding cinematography and cohesive production design. Multiple accounts praise the well-composed landscapes, precise framing, and period-appropriate costumes that support the western setting. Editing occasionally feels measured, with a deliberate rhythm that underscores the film’s subversive tone. Overall, its art direction emerges as one of the most accomplished elements.
- Character & Emotion 65
In terms of character and emotion, reactions are split over performance depth and emotional connection. Several reviewers commend the cast’s nuanced delivery, particularly in moments of dry humor, while others find the leads unengaged or underwritten. The chemistry between principal actors yields occasional resonance, though inconsistencies in character motivation undercut sustained emotional impact.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, Damsel alternates between inventive subversion and protracted pacing. Many accounts appreciate its comedic twists on genre conventions, yet several reviews criticize uneven momentum and abrupt tonal shifts. Plot developments occasionally lack clarity, with thematic threads feeling underdeveloped. Overall, narrative inconsistencies limit sustained engagement despite moments of wit.
- Sensory Experience 82
When it comes to sensory experience, Damsel delivers compelling audiovisual design and a distinctive score. Critics and viewers note lush visual compositions complemented by crisp sound editing and occasional bursts of thematic music. The film’s color palette and soundscapes reinforce its subversive atmosphere. Despite minor lapses in auditory mixing, the sensory presentation remains a pronounced strength.
- Rewatch Factor 60
In terms of rewatch factor, audience sentiment is divided between appreciation for its offbeat humor and frustration with its deliberate pacing. Some viewers express eagerness for repeat viewings of key comedic set pieces, while others find the slow rhythm diminishes lasting appeal. Overall, its rewatch value proves moderate and contingent on personal taste.
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IMDb 5.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 56% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 59%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 63 Metascore
User score 4.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 53% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Damsel Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Damsel from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Samuel Alabaster, Robert Pattinson, a wealthy frontier pioneer, intends to propose to and marry the love of his life, Penelope, Mia Wasikowska. In the town he hires Parson Henry, a drunken officiant, to perform the ceremony. Together they ride into the wilderness with a mini horse named Butterscotch, a wedding gift for Penelope, and set out across the harsh American frontier in search of a future together.
Full summary
The whole story of Damsel, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Damsel Box Office
Damsel grossed $323,235 worldwide. $305,136 came from the US and Canada and $18,099 (6%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$323.2K
- US & Canada
- $305.1K
- International
- $18.1K
Damsel Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Damsel.
How Well Do You Know Damsel?
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 mini horse that is meant to be a wedding gift for her?
Seen Damsel?
Movies Like Damsel
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Damsel, A Damsel in Distress and The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox.
Damsel FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Damsel, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Damsel?
Damsel runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).
When was Damsel released?
Damsel was released on June 22, 2018.
Who directed Damsel?
Damsel was directed by David Zellner.
More films by David Zellner Who is in the cast of Damsel?
Damsel stars Mia Wasikowska as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster and Nathan Zellner as Rufus Cornell, among 11 credited actors.
How much did Damsel make at the box office?
Damsel grossed $323,235 worldwide ($305,136 domestic, $18,099 international).
How is Damsel rated?
Damsel has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.
Does Damsel have a post-credit scene?
No. Damsel has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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