Don't Go (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Don't Go is a 2018 mystery film directed by David Gleeson, starring Melissa George as Hazel, Grace Farrell and Aoibhinn McGinnity. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Critics gave it 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- David Gleeson
- Genre
- Mystery
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- IFC Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Don't Go About?
The premise of Don't Go without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following the tragic loss of their young daughter, Ben and Hazel move to a quiet coastal town hoping to heal. Ben is plagued by visions of his deceased child, leading him to believe she’s trying to reach out from beyond. As his obsession grows, Hazel becomes increasingly concerned, and they find themselves entangled in a perplexing mystery where the boundary between the living and the dead becomes unclear.
Don't Go Themes & Keywords
· 15 tags- grief
- dream
- bereavement
- male nudity
- rear nudity
- beach
- sex scene
- female nudity
- barefoot woman
- shower
- smoking in bed
- female rear nudity
+3 more Show fewer
- female frontal nudity
- female topless nudity
- death of child
Don't Go Cast & Characters
Melissa George leads the cast as Hazel, with Grace Farrell as Molly and Aoibhinn McGinnity as Serena. Directed by David Gleeson; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director David Gleeson
-
Melissa George as Hazel - Grace Farrell as Molly
- Aoibhinn McGinnity as Serena
-
Stephen Dorff as Ben Slater
Also Starring in Don't Go
· 5 more- Lalor Roddy Removal Man
- Simon Delaney Father Sean
- Charlotte Bradley Siobhan
- Des Cave Uncle Frank
- Luke Griffin Kieran
More from David Gleeson
More films directed by David Gleeson, best-rated first: Cowboys & Angels and The Front Line.
Don't Go Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Don't Go 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).
Don't Go Echo Score Breakdown
Don't Go delivers strong visual craftsmanship and committed performances but is hampered by uneven storytelling and limited lasting impact. The film’s art direction and cinematography establish a moody atmosphere, and Stephen Dorff and Melissa George bring emotional sincerity to their roles. Yet the narrative’s pacing and coherence fluctuate, leading to moments of confusion and diminished engagement. While the musical score and production design enhance key sequences, the repetitive structure and underdeveloped plotlines hold the film back. In sum, the film balances cinematic flair with narrative shortcomings that constrain its overall appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art direction and cinematography, the film excels at creating an evocative visual palette. Critics and viewers noted the striking contrast between darker reality filters and brighter beach sequences. Atmospheric set pieces and local Irish scenery reinforce the mood, and editing choices support key emotional beats. Overall, the film’s visual craftsmanship remains a clear highlight.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, lead performances offer genuine sincerity despite occasional depth issues. Stephen Dorff’s portrayal conveys desperation credibly, and Melissa George adds warmth to her role. Supporting actors provide solid contributions, though some viewers found underdeveloped relationships and limited psychological insight. Ultimately, the acting elevates emotional moments even as character arcs feel uneven.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers intriguing concepts but often lacks momentum. Viewers and critics pointed to repetitive pacing and moments of confusion as the plot shifts between timelines. While the time-slip device and final payoff resonated with some, others found the storyline too familiar and underdeveloped. Overall, engagement fluctuates due to uneven plotting.
- Sensory Experience 65
When evaluating the sensory experience, the film blends a moody score and cohesive visual style with mixed results. The musical themes underscore emotional sequences effectively, and sound design enhances the eerie atmosphere. However, some viewers described the soundtrack as forgettable, and extended lingering shots reduce overall immersion. In total, the sensory elements support the mood yet occasionally fall short.
- Rewatch Factor 40
When considering rewatch value, the film presents limited lasting appeal. A minority of viewers praised the subtle clues and layered metaphors that invite a second viewing, yet many found the narrative ambiguity and slow pacing deter repeated engagement. The emotional resonance in key scenes offers some motivation to revisit, but overall, the uneven plot undermines strong replay potential.
-
IMDb 5.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 50% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
Don't Go Plot Summary
What happens in Don't Go from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Struggling to cope with the devastating loss of their only child, Molly, Ben and Hazel Slater decide to embark on a journey to reshape their lives. They take on the challenge of renovating a beautiful hotel set against the stunning backdrop of Ireland’s rugged west coast. Yet, this picturesque location is rife with bittersweet memories that linger painfully.
Full summary
The whole story of Don't Go, scene by scene
Don't Go Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Don't Go.
How Well Do You Know Don't Go?
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 tragic event motivates Ben and Hazel to renovate a hotel?
Cars in Don't Go
18 cars on screen, including the 2003 Land-Rover Discovery Series II and the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W203.
-
2003 Land-Rover Discovery Series II Important role -
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W203 Important role -
2001 Hyundai Matrix Minor role -
2001 Audi A4 B6 Background role
Don't Go Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Don't Let Go” and “Ne odlazi”.
- Also known as
-
- Don't Let Go
- Ne odlazi
- Не си отивай
- Не уходи
- אל תלכי
- 别走
- Не йди
- 別走
- Don't Go - Zwischen Leben und Tod
Seen Don't Go?
Movies Like Don't Go
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Don't Sleep, Don't Look Now and Don't Make Me Go.
Don't Go FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Don't Go, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Don't Go?
Don't Go runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Don't Go released?
Don't Go was released on October 26, 2018.
Who directed Don't Go?
Don't Go was directed by David Gleeson.
More films by David Gleeson Who is in the cast of Don't Go?
Don't Go stars Melissa George as Hazel, Grace Farrell as Molly and Aoibhinn McGinnity as Serena, among 9 credited actors.
How is Don't Go rated?
Don't Go has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 45 on Metacritic, 50% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Don't Go have a post-credit scene?
No. Don't Go has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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