Ema (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Ema is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Gael García Bernal, Catalina Saavedra and Santiago Cabrera. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $25.9 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Pablo Larraín
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Music Box Films
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ema About?
The premise of Ema without spoilers.
Following a traumatic event that leads to the dissolution of her marriage to a choreographer, Ema, a passionate reggaeton dancer, begins a journey of self-discovery. The film explores complex themes of art, desire, and the evolving nature of family relationships, set against a backdrop of provocative dance and vibrant visuals. It's a deeply personal drama from the director of Jackie and Neruda.
Ema Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dancer
- adopted son
- adoption
- dance
- fire
- fire brigade
- arson
- lesbian orgy
- intense lesbian sex
- woman orgasms during lesbian sex
- female nudity
- surreal-sex-scene
+38 more Show fewer
- surreal lesbian sex scene
- lesbian cowgirl sex position
- lesbian couple climaxing together
- lesbian group sex
- male star appears nude
- reggaeton
- choreographer
- flamethrower
- bleached hair
- bisexual woman
- lesbian sex
- stepfather
- female band
- arsonist
- dance instructor
- dance practice
- performance
- lesbian seduction
- guilt
- intense sex
- relationship in crisis
- couple in crisis
- lesbian sex from behind
- lesbian lover
- climaxing together
- sex scene
- lesbian sex scene
- nudity
- boyfriend seduced by another woman
- character name as title
- female name as title
- male nudity
- rear nudity
- male rear nudity
- star appears nude
- valparaiso chile
- older man younger woman marriage
- dance troupe
Ema Cast
Gael García Bernal leads the cast, with Catalina Saavedra and Santiago Cabrera. Directed by Pablo Larraín; 12 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Pablo Larraín
Also Starring in Ema
· 8 moreEma Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ema 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).
Ema Echo Score Breakdown
Ema presents a visually striking work that divides opinion across its components. The film’s direction and cinematography are widely praised for vibrant color and rhythmic composition, while its narrative often feels fragmented and emotionally thin. Performances, especially by the lead, receive mixed reactions, ranging from intense to unconvincing. The soundtrack and dance sequences enhance the sensory experience, yet the story’s coherence and replay value remain questionable. Overall, the movie scores moderately, reflecting strong artistic elements tempered by narrative shortcomings.
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, the film excels through bold visual choices and meticulous production design. Critics note the mesmerizing rhythm of the camera work and the vivid color palette, while multiple viewers describe the cinematography as beautiful and striking. Some dissent points to occasional over‑styling, yet the consensus affirms a high level of technical proficiency. The overall impression is that the artistic execution stands out as a primary strength.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, reactions are mixed. The lead performance is highlighted as intense and occasionally flawless, but several reviewers criticize a lack of depth and emotional resonance, describing the core character as empty. Supporting cast members receive both praise for nuance and remarks of detachment. This balance of strong moments and notable gaps leads to a moderate assessment of the film’s character work.
- Story & Flow 50
Regarding story and flow, the narrative is often viewed as disjointed and under‑developed. Critics point to an unfinished script and a plot that feels haphazard, while some users find the thematic ambition intriguing yet ultimately incoherent. The pacing alternates between engaging sequences and sluggish, confusing passages. Consequently, the story component receives a middling score reflecting both its originality and its structural weaknesses.
- Sensory Experience 80
In the sensory arena, the film delivers a compelling auditory and visual experience. Reviewers consistently commend the pulsating dance numbers, immersive soundtrack, and striking sound design that reinforce the film’s thematic boldness. The combination of music, choreography, and vivid imagery creates an atmospheric texture praised across critic and user comments. This strong consensus yields a high sensory score, underscoring the film’s effectiveness in this domain.
- Rewatch Factor 55
For rewatch factor, opinions are divided. Some viewers highlight the film’s artistic allure and recommend multiple viewings to unpack its symbolism, whereas others find the narrative emptiness and confusing structure diminish repeat appeal. The sensory richness offers some incentive for revisiting, yet the uneven storytelling curtails lasting enthusiasm. The resulting moderate score reflects a balance between fascination and frustration regarding future viewings.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 71 Metascore
User score 6.0
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
6.1K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Ema Box Office & Budget
Ema grossed $25.9 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 2.6 times what it cost. $10.1 million came from the US and Canada and $15.9 million (61%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$25.9M
2.6× its budget
- US & Canada
- $10.1M
- International
- $15.9M
- Budget
- $10M
Seen Ema?
Movies Like Ema
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ema, Esteros and Emmanuelle in Rio.
Ema FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Ema, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ema?
Ema runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Ema released?
Ema was released on August 13, 2021.
Who directed Ema?
Ema was directed by Pablo Larraín.
More films by Pablo Larraín Who is in the cast of Ema?
Ema stars Gael García Bernal, Catalina Saavedra and Santiago Cabrera, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Ema make at the box office?
Ema grossed $25.9 million worldwide ($10.1 million domestic, $15.9 million international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is Ema rated?
Ema has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Ema have a post-credit scene?
No. Ema has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Ema in?
The original language of Ema is Spanish.
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