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Thriller

Fatale (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Fatale (2020) movie poster

Fatale is a 2020 thriller directed by Deon Taylor, starring Hilary Swank as Detective Val Quinlan, Michael Ealy and Damaris Lewis. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
46%
worldwide gross
$7M
Echo Score
49
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Fatale (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Deon Taylor
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Fatale About?

The premise of Fatale without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a passionate encounter, Derrick finds his seemingly perfect life spiraling out of control. He becomes entangled in a dangerous game of deception when he meets a determined detective, Hilary Swank, who threatens to expose his secrets and destroy everything he has built, including his family and career. The stakes are high as he struggles to maintain his carefully constructed facade.

Fatale Themes & Keywords

· 46 tags
  • murder
  • female detective
  • female psychopath
  • evil lead character
  • rogue cop
  • woman harrassing a man
  • home invasion
  • child custody
  • mentally ill woman
  • champagne
  • tv news
  • las vegas nevada
+34 more
  • reference to the nba
  • bachelor party
  • hotel room safe
  • questioned by police
  • murder investigation
  • removing wedding ring
  • accused of murder
  • false accusation
  • framed for murder
  • shot in the chest
  • shot to death
  • reference to shaquille o'neal
  • villain not really dead cliche
  • stabbed repeatedly
  • elevator
  • bloody clothing
  • radio news
  • villainess as protagonist
  • villainess
  • sex scene
  • 2020s
  • 21st century
  • black man white woman sex
  • murder mystery
  • unfaithful husband
  • femme fatale
  • cheating husband
  • adulterous husband
  • obsession
  • seduction
  • infidelity
  • adultery
  • manipulation
  • female nudity
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Cast & crew

Fatale Cast & Characters

Hilary Swank leads the cast as Detective Val Quinlan, with Michael Ealy as Derrick Tyler and Damaris Lewis as Tracie Tyler. Directed by Deon Taylor; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Fatale

· 12 more
From the director

More from Deon Taylor

More films directed by Deon Taylor, best-rated first: Black and Blue, Supremacy, Meet the Blacks and The Intruder.

Full filmography
Ratings

Fatale Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fatale 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (30).

49 /100

Fatale Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s technical presentation and performances offer moments of interest but are undermined by uneven narrative and thematic inconsistencies. While some critics and viewers appreciated the throwback thriller style and strong cinematography, many found the pacing faltered and character chemistry lacking. The film oscillates between engaging set pieces and cliché-driven sequences, resulting in a fragmented viewing experience. Net effect: a mixed thriller with sporadic strengths that struggle to cohere into a consistently engaging whole.

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, the film displays intermittent visual flair but lacks a consistent directorial imprint. The cinematography delivers striking compositions and a throwback aesthetic, yet the overall visual rhythm suffers from uneven editing and occasional stylistic ambiguity. Production design achieves a period-appropriate tone but does not rescue the patchy pacing of individual scenes. The result is a technically proficient yet inconsistent visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, Hilary Swank’s performance stands out for its clarity and focus, yet overall character depth is uneven. Some viewers and critics praised the central acting and emotional moments, but many noted a lack of chemistry between leads and reliance on simplistic stereotypes. This imbalance yields performances that are technically solid but fail to forge consistent emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 30

    The story and flow suffer from uneven pacing and a reliance on familiar genre tropes. The initial twist generates intrigue, but subsequent narrative beats often feel predictable or underdeveloped. Critics and audiences remarked on implausible plot developments and a tendency to recycle stereotypes, which undermines sustained engagement. As a result, the thriller’s momentum falters, leaving the plot coherence and originality wanting.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, the film offers a distinct throwback visual style supported by strong cinematography, but its sound design and musical score are largely unremarkable. The aesthetic choices convey a trashy thriller mood, yet the audio elements fail to enhance tension or atmosphere consistently. Overall, the sensory components contribute to a moderate level of immersion without delivering a fully cohesive audiovisual impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When evaluating rewatch factor, the film provides occasional thrills that may appeal on repeat viewings for genre enthusiasts, but its uneven narrative and character chemistry limit lasting appeal. Some viewers find enjoyment in specific set pieces and stylistic nods, yet the overall inconsistency and reliance on clichés diminish symmetry on subsequent viewings. The film ultimately offers modest replay value primarily for a niche audience.

Plot

Fatale Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Fatale 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

As the city streets rush past, sports agent Derrick Tyler shares a heartfelt monologue, reflecting on a life once dominated by competition but now entangled in high stakes. This contemplative mood paves the way for a narrative woven with themes of love, loyalty, and the thin line separating truth from deceit.

Derrick is locked in a marriage with Tracie while teaming up with his childhood friend Rafe Grimes, both of whom champion African American athletes. However, as Tracie returns to work, Derrick is hit with an unforeseen wave of insecurity, which she interprets as stifling control over their relationship.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Fatale Box Office

Fatale grossed $7 million worldwide. $6.3 million came from the US and Canada and $724,392 (10%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$7M

US & Canada
$6.3M
International
$724.4K
US & Canada 90% Rest of the world 10%
Videos

Fatale Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 5 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Fatale (2020 Movie) Official Trailer – Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy
  • Teaser Fatale (2020 Movie) Official Announcement – Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy
  • Clip Fatale (2020 Movie) Official Clip “You Are One Very Convincing Liar” – Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy
  • Clip Fatale (2020 Movie) Official Clip “Have We Met Before” – Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy
  • Clip Fatale (2020 Movie) Official Clip “Give Me The Combination” – Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fatale?

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

Who plays the character Derrick Tyler?

Cars

Cars in Fatale

22 cars on screen, including the 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit and the 2009 Ducati 1198 S.

All 22 cars
  • 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Fatale 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit Main role
  • 2009 Ducati 1198 S in Fatale 2009 Ducati 1198 S Important role
  • 2017 Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 Spyder in Fatale 2017 Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 Spyder Important role
  • 2015 Cadillac Escalade in Fatale 2015 Cadillac Escalade Minor role
Details

Fatale Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “致命情人” and “الفاتنة”.

Also known as
  • 致命情人
  • الفاتنة
  • Фатална свалка
  • 致命女郎
  • Fatalna
  • Osudové pokušení
  • קטלני
  • जानलेवा
  • A végzet asszonya
  • Fatale - Doppio inganno
  • ファタール
  • 파탈
+14 more
  • Pavojinga pagunda
  • فاتال
  • Niezapomniana
  • Perdas e Danos
  • Tentație periculoasă
  • Опасный соблазн
  • Fatale: Juego Fatal
  • Ölümcül Günah
  • Фатальна зустріч
  • Người Phụ Nữ Nguy Hiểm
  • Saatuslik naine
  • Osudové pokušenie
  • Fatališka moteris
  • Liktenīgā

Seen Fatale?

FAQ

Fatale FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Fatale?

Fatale runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Fatale released?

Fatale was released on December 18, 2020.

Who directed Fatale?

Fatale was directed by Deon Taylor.

More films by Deon Taylor

Who is in the cast of Fatale?

Fatale stars Hilary Swank as Detective Val Quinlan, Michael Ealy as Derrick Tyler and Damaris Lewis as Tracie Tyler, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Fatale make at the box office?

Fatale grossed $7 million worldwide ($6.3 million domestic, $724,392 international).

How is Fatale rated?

Fatale has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, 42 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Fatale have a post-credit scene?

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

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