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Documentary

Eating Animals (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Eating Animals (2018) movie poster

Eating Animals is a 2018 documentary directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn, starring Natalie Portman. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $153,993 worldwide. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Editing at the Spirit Awards 2019. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$154K
award won
1
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Eating Animals (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Eating Animals About?

The premise of Eating Animals without spoilers.

Narrated by Natalie Portman, this documentary explores the realities of modern factory farming and its impact. It uncovers the often-hidden consequences for animal welfare, human health, and the environment, contrasting sustainable practices with industrial exploitation. The film highlights the true cost of inexpensive food, revealing issues such as animal suffering, overuse of antibiotics, and ecological damage.

Eating Animals Themes & Keywords

· 6 tags
  • animal abuse
  • meat industry
  • health
  • animal
  • farm
  • meat
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Cast & crew

Eating Animals Cast

Natalie Portman stars in Eating Animals. Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn.

From the director

More from Christopher Dillon Quinn

One more film directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn: God Grew Tired of Us.

Full filmography
Ratings

Eating Animals Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Eating Animals 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

79 /100

Eating Animals Echo Score Breakdown

Eating Animals demonstrates a strong command of documentary form through its effective melding of visual evidence and narrative purpose. The film’s clear mission to illuminate animal agriculture resonates throughout, aided by a consistent tone that balances graphic imagery with informative context. While some viewers note a lack of novel models or practical solutions, the cohesive structure maintains engagement from opening to close. Overall, the documentary leaves a lasting impression as a thought-provoking examination of food systems.

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 art and craft, Eating Animals presents careful cinematography and measured editing that underscore its investigative goals. The visuals range from close-focus farm portraits to wide environmental contexts, creating an understated yet impactful framing. Production design remains minimal in service of real-world footage, reinforcing clarity. The editing choices sustain narrative clarity without ornamental flourish.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary relies on the conviction of its narrator and the emotional weight of firsthand accounts. The voiceover anchors key transitions, complemented by personal stories of farmers and veterinarians that evoke empathy. Some viewers note limited diversity in perspectives, but the core testimonials deliver sincere resonance. The performances contribute a grounded emotional thrust to the film’s central arguments.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, the film structures its material around thematic chapters that chart the consequences of livestock farming. This measured pacing allows viewers to absorb environmental, health, and ethical dimensions, though some critics expected more narrative breakthroughs. The sequencing of exposé segments and expert commentary maintains engagement despite occasional repetitiveness. Overall, the coherent progression reinforces the central message without major digressions.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Regarding sensory experience, Eating Animals combines a subdued score with clear sound design that foregrounds ambient farm noises and interview clarity. The visual style maintains consistent framing and color grading to support documentary realism. Graphic footage is handled with restraint, avoiding sensational contrast while still conveying visceral impact. The overall audio-visual coherence underpins the film's informative focus rather than decorative flair.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    With respect to rewatch factor, the documentary offers substantial informational content that could reward subsequent viewings for detail seekers. The emphasis on data, personal narratives, and environmental context provides new insights upon repeat exposure. However, the weight of graphic imagery and single-issue focus may limit casual reengagement. Overall, its lasting appeal is strongest for audiences invested in agricultural and ethical inquiry.

Box office

Eating Animals Box Office

Eating Animals grossed $153,993 worldwide. $149,614 came from the US and Canada and $4,379 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$154K

US & Canada
$149.6K
International
$4.4K
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Awards

Eating Animals Awards & Nominations

Eating Animals won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Editing at the Spirit Awards 2019.

1 win4 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Eating Animals Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Eating Animals.

Eating Animals - Official Trailer | HD | Sundance Selects
Cars

Cars in Eating Animals

36 cars on screen, including the 1992 Volvo 240 and the 1988 Honda Accord.

All 36 cars
  • 1992 Volvo 240 in Eating Animals 1992 Volvo 240 Main role
  • 1988 Honda Accord in Eating Animals 1988 Honda Accord Important role
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey in Eating Animals 2002 Honda Odyssey Important role
  • 1999 Jeep Cherokee in Eating Animals 1999 Jeep Cherokee Important role

Seen Eating Animals?

FAQ

Eating Animals FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Eating Animals?

Eating Animals runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Eating Animals released?

Eating Animals was released on June 15, 2018.

Who directed Eating Animals?

Eating Animals was directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn.

More films by Christopher Dillon Quinn

Who is in the cast of Eating Animals?

Eating Animals stars Natalie Portman.

How much did Eating Animals make at the box office?

Eating Animals grossed $153,993 worldwide ($149,614 domestic, $4,379 international).

How is Eating Animals rated?

Eating Animals has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

What awards did Eating Animals win?

Eating Animals won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Best Editing at the Spirit Awards 2019.

Does Eating Animals have a post-credit scene?

No. Eating Animals has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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