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Drama thriller

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

Foe (2023) movie poster

Foe is a 2023 drama thriller directed by Garth Davis, starring Saoirse Ronan as Hen, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $233,120 worldwide. Critics gave it 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
25%
worldwide gross
$233.1K
Echo Score
55
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Foe (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Garth Davis
Genres
Drama , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Foe About?

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

In a secluded rural setting, a couple's quiet life is unexpectedly disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. The encounter forces them to confront difficult choices and examine the nature of their relationship and their place in the world. Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal portray the couple as they navigate an unsettling offer and grapple with the complexities of isolation and connection in this compelling drama.

Foe Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • the future
  • female nudity
  • identity
  • based on novel
  • female full rear nudity
  • breasts
  • female star appears nude
  • clone
  • husband wife relationship
  • dystopian future
  • domestic drama
  • woman on top sex
+38 more
  • pianist
  • dust storm
  • mysterious visitor
  • outdoor nudity
  • ambiguous ending
  • male cyborg
  • female cyborg
  • butt
  • female topless nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • male nudity
  • uncertain world
  • year 2065
  • one year later
  • based on the novel of the same name
  • screenplay adapted by author
  • co written by director
  • psychological thriller
  • family farm
  • full rear nudity male
  • cyborg sci fi
  • factory worker
  • waitress
  • beetle
  • building on fire
  • horse herd
  • doppelganger
  • flashback
  • marriage ceremony
  • attempted suffocation
  • drunkenness
  • bracelet
  • implant
  • peephole
  • spaceship
  • shotgun
  • human experimentation
  • deception
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Cast & crew

Foe Cast & Characters

Saoirse Ronan leads the cast as Hen, with Paul Mescal as Junior and Aaron Pierre as Terrance. Directed by Garth Davis; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Foe

· 16 more
From the director

More from Garth Davis

More films directed by Garth Davis, best-rated first: Lion and Mary Magdalene.

Full filmography
Ratings

Foe Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Foe 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

55 /100

Foe Echo Score Breakdown

Foe achieves strength in its visual composition and performances yet falters in delivering a coherent and engaging narrative. Critics and audiences alike commend the film’s atmospheric cinematography and the chemistry between the lead actors, but they frequently cite its predictable twist, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped thematic exploration. While the score and sound design contribute to a palpable mood, the film’s slow progression and opaque storytelling diminish its overall impact. Ultimately, Foe resonates unevenly and leaves a subdued lasting impression.

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, Foe excels through its atmospheric camera work and meticulous framing. Reviewers highlight the film’s bewitching images of dried lakes, dust-swept plains, and darkly hued interiors as a visual anchor. The cinematography receives consistent praise for its cohesive palette and thoughtful use of light. While the production design echoes familiar dystopian tropes, the film’s art direction sustains a compelling sense of place throughout.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character and emotion, Foe is anchored by nuanced performances that convey both longing and betrayal. Critics and viewers consistently cite Saoirse Ronan’s raw-nerved intensity and Paul Mescal’s stinging sense of conflict as the film’s emotional core. Aaron Pierre also garners recognition for his restrained portrayal. Even when the drama veers into abstraction, the central chemistry sustains genuine resonance throughout.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When it comes to story and flow, Foe struggles with narrative coherence and sustained engagement. Reviewers frequently point to its predictable denouement, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped thematic arcs. The film’s elliptical structure is described as a tonal rut that hinders momentum and leaves key motivations vague. As a result, the plot feels undernourished and fails to deliver a compelling dramatic journey.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, Foe cultivates a palpable mood through its visual and aural design. Reviewers note the disarming score, meticulous sound design, and hauntingly plausible landscapes that heighten the film’s ominous tone. Moments of atmospheric tension underscore key emotional beats, though some find the ambiance overly oppressive or abstruse. Overall, the sensory elements remain immersive and distinct despite occasional excess.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Regarding rewatch factor, Foe offers limited incentive for repeat viewings due to its slow pacing and predictable resolution. While the performances and striking atmosphere may draw some viewers back, the film’s opaque storytelling and lack of thematic clarity diminish its replay value. Ultimately, the experience feels too tedious to warrant multiple viewings.

Plot

Foe Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Foe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 2065, the world grapples with a dire scarcity of fresh water and habitable land, leading to overcrowded cities and abandoned rural areas. The rise of AI-driven human substitutes begins to take over regular human labor, creating a chasm between the old way of life and a new reality.

At the heart of this tale are two lovers, Hen and Junior, who cling to the remnants of their life together on Junior’s family’s farm. The story unfolds with Hen lost in despair, sobbing uncontrollably in the shower—her anguish illuminated by a voiceover reflecting on her identity: >“I’ve lost those parts of who I am or who I could be, and I’m scared I won’t ever get them back.”

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Foe Box Office

Foe grossed $233,120 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$233.1K

International
$233.1K
Videos

Foe Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 3 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer
  • Featurette Garth Davis on Foe
  • Featurette GARTH DAVIS on directing Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal - FOE Q&A | Film Independent Presents
  • Featurette Foe director Garth Davis attends the film's red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Foe?

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 year is the movie 'Foe' set in?

Details

Foe Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Недруг” and “포”.

Also known as
  • Недруг
  • 포
  • Wróg
  • Enemy
  • Il nemico
  • Le Remplaçant
  • 적
  • Ворог
  • Bạn Hay Thù
  • 敌人
  • Враг
  • Intruso
+6 more
  • 如果我們終將分離
  • A látogató
  • もっと遠くへ行こう。
  • อมิตร
  • אויב
  • Rakip

Seen Foe?

FAQ

Foe FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Foe?

Foe runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Foe released?

Foe was released on October 6, 2023.

Who directed Foe?

Foe was directed by Garth Davis.

More films by Garth Davis

Who is in the cast of Foe?

Foe stars Saoirse Ronan as Hen, Paul Mescal as Junior and Aaron Pierre as Terrance, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Foe make at the box office?

Foe grossed $233,120 worldwide.

How is Foe rated?

Foe has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Foe have a post-credit scene?

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

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