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Documentary

Emanuel (2019): Cast & Ratings

Emanuel (2019) movie poster

Emanuel is a 2019 documentary directed by Brian Ivie, starring Mark Williams as Officer, George Howard Adams and Brien Gregorie. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes and was made on a reported $1 million budget. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
73
Metascore
66
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Emanuel (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 20m (80 min)
Director
Brian Ivie
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Emanuel About?

The premise of Emanuel without spoilers.

On June 17, 2015, a horrific act of violence shook the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic and significant place of worship. A white supremacist entered the church during a Bible study meeting and fatally shot nine African American parishioners. The senseless tragedy left the Charleston community and the nation deeply saddened and sparked a national conversation about racism and hate. The survivors demonstrated extraordinary forgiveness, ultimately choosing compassion over bitterness.

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Cast & crew

Emanuel Cast & Characters

Mark Williams leads the cast as Officer, with George Howard Adams as Officer and Brien Gregorie as Police Captain. Directed by Brian Ivie; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Emanuel

· 5 more
Ratings

Emanuel Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Emanuel 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

73 /100

Emanuel Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Emanuel succeeds as a heartfelt documentary anchored by its emotional testimony and measured presentation of grief and forgiveness. Reviews highlight the film’s capacity to bear witness through intimate interviews that balance personal reflection with broader historical context. Its narrative unfolds with steady pacing, allowing interviewees’ voices to convey hope amid tragedy. While some note moments of understated visual or sonic restraint, the film’s depth of empathy and thematic cohesion leave a lasting impression. Net result: a moving, thoughtfully crafted documentary.

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 and craft, Emanuel employs restrained visual compositions and measured editing to foreground its subjects. The opening sequences integrate archival footage with cinematic framing, lending occasional visual flourish amid predominantly interview-driven scenes. Although some critics noted instances of minimal background sound design, the film’s deliberate pace and thoughtful shot choices support its solemn tone. Overall, the restrained aesthetic underlines the documentary’s focus on testimony over spectacle.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Emanuel offers deeply affecting personal narratives from survivors and relatives. The film prioritizes candid reflection, allowing interviewees’ expressions of grief, love, and forgiveness to resonate. Observations highlight the emotional authenticity of testimonies and the clear sense of communal empathy on display. The film’s emphasis on individual voices cultivates a nuanced portrait of resilience and compassion throughout its runtime.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Emanuel balances historical context with current reflections in a clear and coherent structure. Reviewers note the film’s effective pacing, moving smoothly between survivor interviews and news footage without disorienting the audience. The narrative approach feels original in weaving personal testimony with broader social commentary. Though some viewers observed occasional narrative dryness, the documentary maintains engagement through its focused thematic arc.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, Emanuel adopts a soundscape and visual style that foregrounds spoken testimony. The soundtrack remains understated, with occasional background music sparingly used to punctuate emotional moments. Visual cohesion is maintained through consistent framing and subdued color palettes. While this restraint supports the film’s solemn tone, some critics suggested a richer sound design might enhance its immersive quality. The sensory choices prioritize substance over stylistic flair.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, Emanuel’s documentary style offers meaningful insights but limited repeat viewing dynamics. The film’s emotional depth and thematic coherence encourage reflection, yet its solemn tone and interview-driven format may constrain its entertainment value on subsequent viewings. Observers note that the film’s power lies in its initial impact rather than in discoveries upon rewatch. Overall, the lasting appeal resides more in its message than in cinematic reexperience.

Videos

Emanuel Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Emanuel (2019) | Official Trailer [HD]
  • Trailer Emanuel (2019) | Final Trailer ft. Stephen Curry [HD]
  • Clip Emanuel - Rev. A.R. Bernard Clip
Details

Emanuel Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “엠마뉴엘” and “O Massacre de Charleston”.

Also known as
  • 엠마뉴엘
  • O Massacre de Charleston

Seen Emanuel?

FAQ

Emanuel FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Emanuel, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Emanuel?

Emanuel runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).

When was Emanuel released?

Emanuel was released on June 17, 2019.

Who directed Emanuel?

Emanuel was directed by Brian Ivie.

Who is in the cast of Emanuel?

Emanuel stars Mark Williams as Officer, George Howard Adams as Officer and Brien Gregorie as Police Captain, among 9 credited actors.

What was the budget of Emanuel?

Emanuel had a reported budget of $1 million.

How is Emanuel rated?

Emanuel has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Emanuel have a post-credit scene?

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

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