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Drama thriller

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

Eileen (2023) movie poster

Eileen is a 2023 drama thriller directed by William Oldroyd, starring Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen Dunlop, Anne Hathaway and Shea Whigham. It is partly based on Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $1.7 million worldwide on a $16 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2024. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$1.7M
award nomination
1
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Eileen (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
William Oldroyd
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$16M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Eileen About?

The premise of Eileen without spoilers, adapted from Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a bleak New England winter, young postal worker Eileen feels trapped by her life and overbearing mother. The arrival of new counselor Rebecca Staltz brings a spark of excitement, and the two women develop an unexpected friendship. However, Rebecca harbors secrets, and as Eileen’s fascination with her grows, she is drawn into a dangerous and deceitful situation that challenges her sense of morality and forever alters her life.

Eileen Themes & Keywords

· 19 tags
  • lesbian
  • prison
  • juvenile detention
  • psychological thriller
  • 1960s
  • year 1964
  • period piece
  • friendship between women
  • prison drama
  • workplace drama
  • psychological drama
  • period drama
+7 more
  • female protagonist
  • lesbian protagonist
  • based on novel
  • friendship
  • character name as title
  • secret
  • character name in title
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Cast & crew

Eileen Cast & Characters

Thomasin McKenzie leads the cast as Eileen Dunlop, with Anne Hathaway as Rebecca and Shea Whigham as Jim Dunlop. Directed by William Oldroyd; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from William Oldroyd

One more film directed by William Oldroyd: Lady Macbeth.

Full filmography
Ratings

Eileen Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Eileen 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (30).

60 /100

Eileen Echo Score Breakdown

Eileen demonstrates considerable strengths in its craft and performances but struggles with narrative coherence and lasting engagement. Critics praised the film’s deliberate visual style and period production design, along with nuanced lead performances that convey silent tension and emotional complexity. However, many found the central plot’s pacing uneven and its climactic turns unearned, leaving a sense of narrative disconnection. The result is a film that impresses in moments yet falls short of a fully satisfying thriller experience.

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 and craft, Eileen offers a polished period design and confident visual approach. The film employs an understated color palette and inventive framing that evoke mid-century interiors and emotional restraint. Cinematography by Ari Wegner earns repeated notice for its composed tableaux and attention to detail. Overall, the production design and editing contribute a refined aesthetic foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, Eileen is buoyed by two compelling lead performances. The portrayal of Eileen unfolds with measured restraint, while the more worldly companion exudes magnetic charisma. Supporting roles provide textured counterpoints, even if some secondary figures feel underexplored. Together, the cast delivers strong moments of emotional resonance, anchoring the film’s intimate psychological themes.

  • Story & Flow 30

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative often loses momentum through abrupt tonal shifts and underdeveloped arcs. Early intrigue gives way to a late scramble that many viewers found unearned, and pacing inconsistencies interrupt engagement. Despite occasional moments of suspense, the plot’s dramatic turns tend to feel contrived rather than organically foreshadowed. As a result, the overall storyline falls short of its thriller ambitions.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In sensory experience, the film excels at creating an atmosphere of quiet unease. Subtle sound design and a restrained score heighten tension without resorting to overt shock tactics. Visual cohesion is maintained through consistent lighting and thoughtful compositional choices. While a few manipulative jump-scare moments jar the tone, the prevailing soundscape and imagery leave a lingering, haunting effect.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Concerning rewatch factor, Eileen offers intriguing details but may lack broader replay appeal due to narrative inconsistencies. Close observation reveals symbolic touches and performance nuances worth revisiting, yet the uneven story structure and unpredictable tonal shifts may discourage multiple viewings. The film’s strongest assets remain its visual craftsmanship and acting, which provide limited incentive for sustained return engagement.

Plot

Eileen Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Eileen from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with a striking scene of a car facing a frozen lake, enveloped in smoke. Set in the early 1960s, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) finds herself in her vehicle, distracted by a young couple’s flirtations in a nearby car. In a moment of impulsive excitement, she shoves snow down her pants before driving back home in her smoky, malfunctioning car. Upon her arrival, she encounters her father, Jim (Shea Whigham), who is slumped in an armchair, surrounded by empty liquor bottles. Eileen dutifully replaces the bottles as a way of maintaining order in their chaotic home. After making her way to her room, she indulges in sweets, only to spit them out before drifting off to sleep.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Eileen Box Office & Budget

Eileen grossed $1.7 million worldwide on a $16 million budget, 10% of what it cost. $1.4 million came from the US and Canada and $238,658 (14%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.7M

10% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.4M
International
$238.7K
Budget
$16M
US & Canada 86% Rest of the world 14%
Awards

Eileen Awards & Nominations

Eileen earned 1 award nomination, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Eileen Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Eileen.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Eileen?

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 location does Eileen gaze at from her car at the beginning of the film?

Details

Eileen Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “艾琳” and “アイリーン”.

Also known as
  • 艾琳
  • アイリーン
  • 아일린
  • Mi Nombre Era Eileen
  • Eilyn
  • Eileen voltam
  • Ейлін
  • Ейлийн
  • Айлин
  • Meu Nome Era Eileen
  • איילין
  • ไอลีน
+2 more
  • Ајлин
  • Eilīna

Seen Eileen?

FAQ

Eileen FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Eileen, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Eileen?

Eileen runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Eileen released?

Eileen was released on December 1, 2023.

Who directed Eileen?

Eileen was directed by William Oldroyd.

More films by William Oldroyd

Who is in the cast of Eileen?

Eileen stars Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen Dunlop, Anne Hathaway as Rebecca and Shea Whigham as Jim Dunlop, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Eileen make at the box office?

Eileen grossed $1.7 million worldwide ($1.4 million domestic, $238,658 international) on a budget of $16 million.

How is Eileen rated?

Eileen has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Is Eileen based on a book?

Yes. Eileen is partly adapted from Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh.

Was Eileen nominated for any awards?

Eileen received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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