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Romantic drama

Firebird (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Firebird (2022) movie poster

Firebird is a 2022 romantic drama directed by Peeter Rebane, starring Tom Prior as Sergey Serebrennikov, Diana Pozharskaya and Oleg Zagorodnii. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $253,583 worldwide. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
57%
worldwide gross
$253.6K
Echo Score
72
Metascore
49
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Firebird (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Peeter Rebane
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Firebird About?

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

During the 1970s in Estonia, a Soviet Air Force base unexpectedly hosts a passionate and forbidden romance. Sergey, a hopeful performer, finds himself drawn to Roman, a skilled fighter pilot. Their secret relationship blossoms against the backdrop of Cold War tensions and a society where same-sex love is strictly prohibited, forcing them to confront difficult choices about love and duty.

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Cast & crew

Firebird Cast & Characters

Tom Prior leads the cast as Sergey Serebrennikov, with Diana Pozharskaya as Luisa and Oleg Zagorodnii as Roman Matvejev. Directed by Peeter Rebane; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Firebird

· 6 more
Ratings

Firebird Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Firebird 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

72 /100

Firebird Echo Score Breakdown

Firebird delivers a visually appealing portrait of forbidden love, bolstered by strong performances that elevate its emotional core. While the direction and cinematography capture the era’s stark atmosphere, the narrative relies heavily on familiar tropes and uneven pacing, especially in the second half. Critics note clichéd storytelling and a lack of risk, yet audiences respond to the chemistry and heartfelt moments. The mixed reception results in a respectable but not outstanding overall impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film succeeds in rendering a muted, period‑accurate aesthetic that many reviewers cite as compelling. Cinematography is praised for its stark composition and effective use of landscape to underscore tension. However, some critics argue that the editing and production design become repetitive, especially in the latter half, tempering overall artistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When evaluating acting and emotional resonance, reviewers consistently highlight the leads’ chemistry and nuanced performances. Both critics and users describe the portrayals as compelling, allowing the audience to connect with the characters’ forbidden romance. Minor criticism arises regarding supporting roles, which some find forgettable, yet the central performances largely sustain the film’s emotional credibility.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative structure draws criticism for reliance on familiar clichés and uneven pacing, particularly after the midpoint. Critics note a predetermined trajectory that diminishes tension, while some audience members find the plot emotionally charged and insightful regarding Soviet-era oppression. This dichotomy yields a mixed assessment of the story’s originality and engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    Soundtrack and sound design receive modest acknowledgement, with the film’s score supporting its melancholic tone without overpowering scenes. Visual style, especially the bleak color palette and stark lighting, reinforces the oppressive atmosphere the story depicts. Although not highlighted as a standout element, the sensory components consistently complement the film’s thematic intentions.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch value appears limited by the film’s predictability and familiar tropes, which some viewers find reduce the incentive for multiple viewings. Nonetheless, the strong central performances and emotional moments provide a modest appeal that could draw audiences back for the poignant concluding scenes. Overall, the film offers modest replay potential rather than a compelling reason to revisit.

Plot

Firebird Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Firebird from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sergey Serebrennikov, a young private in the Soviet Air Force, has only a few weeks remaining in his military service. He and his friends bristle under the tight control of the military commanders. He appears to have a budding romance with Luisa, the secretary to the base commander, and he indulges in a photography hobby that is barely tolerated by his superiors. He’s assigned to assist a new fighter pilot, Roman Matvejev when he arrives. An undeniable passion between them develops, despite the threat of imprisonment that hangs over homosexual romances under the Soviet regime. Nonetheless, they consummate their attraction to one another and are nearly found out by a KGB agent.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Firebird Box Office

Firebird grossed $253,583 worldwide. $144,118 came from the US and Canada and $109,465 (43%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$253.6K

US & Canada
$144.1K
International
$109.5K
US & Canada 57% Rest of the world 43%
Videos

Firebird Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Firebird?

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 is Sergey’s rank in the Soviet Air Force at the start of the film?

Cars

Cars in Firebird

13 cars on screen, including the 1980 UAZ 469 and the 1990 KAvZ 3270.

All 13 cars
  • 1980 UAZ 469 in Firebird 1980 UAZ 469 Main role
  • 1990 KAvZ 3270 in Firebird 1990 KAvZ 3270 Minor role
  • UAZ 3962 in Firebird UAZ 3962 Minor role
  • 1980 GAZ 24 Volga in Firebird 1980 GAZ 24 Volga Background role
Details

Firebird Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Жар-птица” and “Ohnivý vták”.

Also known as
  • Жар-птица
  • Ohnivý vták
  • Chim Lửa
  • 士兵與軍官
  • Secretos de guerra
  • 浴火鸟
  • Segredos de Guerra
  • 파이어버드
  • ציפור אש
  • Tűzmadár, ფასკუნჯი
  • Ognisty ptak
  • Firebird ファイアバード
+1 more
  • Tulilind

Seen Firebird?

FAQ

Firebird FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Firebird?

Firebird runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Firebird released?

Firebird was released on April 29, 2022.

Who directed Firebird?

Firebird was directed by Peeter Rebane.

More films by Peeter Rebane

Who is in the cast of Firebird?

Firebird stars Tom Prior as Sergey Serebrennikov, Diana Pozharskaya as Luisa and Oleg Zagorodnii as Roman Matvejev, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Firebird make at the box office?

Firebird grossed $253,583 worldwide ($144,118 domestic, $109,465 international).

How is Firebird rated?

Firebird has 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic, 74% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Firebird have a post-credit scene?

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

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