Founders Day (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Founders Day is a 2024 comedy thriller starring Amy Hargreaves as Blair Gladwell, Jayce Bartok and Arun Storrs. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 46m (106 min)
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Mainframe Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Founders Day About?
The premise of Founders Day without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
As Founder's Day nears, a wave of disturbing murders shatters the peace of a small town. Fear and suspicion grip the community as the mayoral race intensifies. The investigation unfolds against a backdrop of mounting tension, raising questions about who is responsible and whether the killer will be apprehended before the town descends into chaos.
Founders Day Themes & Keywords
· 5 tags- murder
- slasher
- slasher horror
- whodunit
- villainess
Founders Day Cast & Characters
Amy Hargreaves leads the cast as Blair Gladwell, with Jayce Bartok as Harold Faulkner and Arun Storrs as Nancy Faulkner.
-
Amy Hargreaves as Blair Gladwell - Jayce Bartok as Harold Faulkner
- Arun Storrs as Nancy Faulkner
- Olivia Nikkanen as Melissa Faulkner
Also Starring in Founders Day
· 16 more- Naomi Grace Allison Chambers
- Devin Druid Adam Faulkner
- Tyler James White Rob Donahue
- Emilia McCarthy Lilly Gladwell
- Adam Weppler Deputy Miller
- Erik Bloomquist Oliver Hull
- Kate Edmonds Britt
- Dylan Slade Tyler
- Andrew Stewart-Jones Thomas Chambers
- Catherine Curtin Commissioner Peterson
- William Russ Mr. Jackson
- Patrick Zeller Councilman Larry
- Jeffrey Alan Solomon David
- Cathy Salvodon Susan
- Callie Beaulieu Peg
- Shravan Amin Councilman Simon
Founders Day Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Founders Day 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in art & craft (48) and weakest in sensory experience (40).
Founders Day Echo Score Breakdown
Founders Day delivers a uneven blend of slasher tropes and political satire, resulting in a largely mixed to negative reception. Critics note formulaic plotting, uneven tone, and a script that overreaches, while a handful of reviewers praise its occasional wit and competent direction. Audience reactions echo this split, with many pointing to forgettable characters and uninspired kills, though a few enjoy its nostalgic vibe. Consequently, the film scores modestly, reflecting limited lasting appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 48
Regarding art and craft, the direction is described as composed yet constrained, and the production design receives occasional praise for distinguishing the film from typical slashers. However, reviewers repeatedly cite low‑budget execution, technical continuity errors, and a lack of visual polish that undermines atmosphere. The overall craft therefore feels modest and uneven.
- Character & Emotion 45
In terms of character and emotion, performances are uneven; a few actors are noted for delivering competent, even standout, roles, while many are criticized for flat, forgettable portrayals and inconsistent tone. The ensemble lacks strong chemistry, leaving audiences disengaged from the protagonists. Overall, character work is largely underwhelming.
- Story & Flow 42
The story is seen as cluttered and formulaic, with a plot that juggles too many sub‑threads and a climax that fails to deliver satisfying revelations. Reviewers note a lack of originality and pacing issues that dilute tension. Consequently, narrative cohesion is perceived as weak.
- Sensory Experience 40
Sensory experience receives mixed feedback; some viewers appreciate a distinctive art direction that sets the film apart, while others criticize poor sound design, cheap visual effects, and inconsistent atmosphere. The soundtrack and audio cues are rarely highlighted positively. Overall, the sensory elements feel inconsistent and detract from immersion.
- Rewatch Factor 48
Rewatch value is modest; a minority of reviewers find the film entertaining enough to merit a second viewing, citing its occasional humor and nostalgic slasher vibe. Most, however, describe it as forgettable with limited depth, reducing incentive for repeat engagement. Thus, replay potential remains low.
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Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 12%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 39 Metascore
User score 3.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 50% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.0 /5
9765 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Founders Day Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Founders Day 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 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Harold Faulkner and Blair Gladwell face a high-stakes race for Fairwood’s mayoral seat as their town teeters on the edge of a tense Founders Day. In this fraught backdrop, Harold’s estranged daughter Melissa Faulkner accompanies her girlfriend Allison Chambers to the Bank Street movie theater where Allison once worked. Melissa stays outside amid political protestors while Allison goes inside to retrieve a sentimental padlock she left behind, a quiet detail that will soon take on chilling significance. Inside, Allison crosses paths with Melissa’s brother Adam Faulkner, who works at the theater, and with Melissa’s ex-boyfriend Rob Donahue, now entangled with Adam’s ex Lilly Gladwell, the current mayor’s daughter. The web of past loyalties and hidden resentments begins to tighten.
Full summary
The whole story of Founders Day, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Founders Day Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.
- Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
How Well Do You Know Founders Day?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What political office are Harold Faulkner and Blair Gladwell fiercely competing for in Fairwood?
Founders Day Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Celebración Macabra” and “Судный день”.
- Also known as
-
- Celebración Macabra
- Судный день
- Celebração Macabra
- 选举日
- 選舉日
- Dzień Założycieli
- La celebración macabra
Seen Founders Day?
Movies Like Founders Day
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including 8 Found Dead, Thanksgiving and Mother's Day.
Founders Day FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Founders Day, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Founders Day?
Founders Day runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
When was Founders Day released?
Founders Day was released on January 19, 2024.
Who is in the cast of Founders Day?
Founders Day stars Amy Hargreaves as Blair Gladwell, Jayce Bartok as Harold Faulkner and Arun Storrs as Nancy Faulkner, among 20 credited actors.
How is Founders Day rated?
Founders Day has 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic, 50% on TMDB and 2.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Founders Day have a post-credit scene?
No. Founders Day has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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