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Thriller

Desolation (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Desolation (2018) movie poster

Desolation is a 2018 thriller directed by David Moscow, starring Ninja N. Devoe as Debbie, Brock Kelly and Raymond J. Barry. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $105,670 worldwide. Critics gave it 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
44%
worldwide gross
$105.7K
Echo Score
50
Desolation (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
David Moscow
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Desolation About?

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

In a city of dreams, a young woman's aspirations are shattered when a passionate romance with a famous actor takes a dark turn. After a whirlwind courtship, Katie finds herself isolated in his luxurious apartment, where the boundary between fantasy and reality begins to dissolve. As unsettling events unfold, she realizes her dream has become a terrifying trap, and she must fight to escape the heartthrob's grasp.

Desolation Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • female nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • sex scene
  • swimming pool
Where to watch

Where to Watch Desolation

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Desolation Cast & Characters

Ninja N. Devoe leads the cast as Debbie, with Brock Kelly as Jay and Raymond J. Barry as Father Bill. Directed by David Moscow; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Desolation

· 8 more
Ratings

Desolation Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Desolation 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (30).

50 /100

Desolation Echo Score Breakdown

Desolation presents an uneven blend of atmospheric strengths and narrative weaknesses. Many reviews praise its moody cinematography and sympathetic central performance, noting well-crafted visuals and an ominous score that sustain early suspense. However, criticisms converge on the film’s thin plot, predictable twists, and uneven pacing, especially in the second half where coherence falters. While its formal aspects and moments of tension offer occasional intrigue, the film’s disjointed structure and limited character depth result in a middling overall experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art direction and craft, Desolation delivers a moody atmosphere through its composed framings and concise shot design. Reviews highlight the well-shot sequences and an ominous score that deepens early tension. Some note occasional rough editing transitions and uneven visual cohesion. Overall, the film’s visual presentation remains solid despite sporadic technical lapses.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from a strong lead performance that anchors many scenes. Reviews remark on generally solid acting and glimpses of emotional resonance in the first half. However, characters often lack depth and feature sketchy motivations, leading to limited audience empathy. In sum, the character work provides basic engagement but rarely sustains deeper connection.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, Desolation struggles with narrative coherence and pacing. Critics and viewers point to a promising first half that gives way to a paper-thin plot, predictable twists, and abrupt tonal shifts. The middle section is often described as disjointed and at times nonsensical. Overall, the storyline’s uneven development undermines sustained engagement and suspense.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film achieves an unsettling mood through its ominous soundtrack and atmospheric sound design. Observations note effective ambient audio that heightens early suspense and a consistent visual palette. Some critics mention occasional over-loud effects and uneven sound mixing. Overall, while not flawless, the sensory elements contribute meaningfully to the film’s tense atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch value, Desolation offers limited incentive for repeat viewing. Reviewers commonly describe it as a single-experience film, noting that the thin plot and predictable resolution reduce its lasting appeal. Although its mood and lead performance retain some interest, the overall lack of narrative depth and novelty constrains its replay potential.

Plot

Desolation Plot Summary

What happens in Desolation 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

In the city of Los Angeles, a troubled actress named Monica Leskova tragically succumbs to her madness, ending her life by self-immolation. Meanwhile, in Elmira, New York, Katie Connor, a resilient rape survivor, learns from her friend Debbie that the Hollywood actor Jay Cutter is staying at their hotel for a film shoot. As Katie and Jay’s connection deepens, they gradually explore the contours of a romantic relationship.

Full summary

The whole story of Desolation, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Desolation Box Office

Desolation grossed $105,670 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$105.7K

US & Canada
$32K
Videos

Desolation Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Desolation.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Desolation?

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

What act of despair does Monica Leskova commit?

Seen Desolation?

FAQ

Desolation FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Desolation?

Desolation runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Desolation released?

Desolation was released on January 26, 2018.

Who directed Desolation?

Desolation was directed by David Moscow.

More films by David Moscow

Who is in the cast of Desolation?

Desolation stars Ninja N. Devoe as Debbie, Brock Kelly as Jay and Raymond J. Barry as Father Bill, among 12 credited actors.

Where can I watch Desolation?

In the US, Desolation is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and Philo and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Desolation make at the box office?

Desolation grossed $105,670 worldwide.

How is Desolation rated?

Desolation has 4.2/10 on IMDb, 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47% on TMDB and 2.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Desolation have a post-credit scene?

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

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