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Drama

Fremont (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Fremont (2023) movie poster

Fremont is a 2023 drama directed by Babak Jalali, starring Anaita Wali Zada as Donya, Eddie Tang and Jennifer McKay. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $601,594 worldwide on a $3 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Breakthrough Performance at the Spirit Awards 2024. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$601.6K
award nomination
1
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Fremont (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Babak Jalali
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Fremont About?

The premise of Fremont without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Donya, an Afghan translator navigating life in Fremont, California, discovers a sense of purpose when she's promoted to write fortunes at a local factory. This unexpected role sparks a desire to connect with others, leading her to send out enigmatic messages to strangers across the Bay Area. As her words resonate with people she doesn't know, Donya grapples with the impact of her actions and the uncertain consequences of reaching out to the world.

Fremont Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • refugee
  • fortune cookie factory
  • therapy session
  • insomniac
  • road trip
  • reading a fortune aloud
  • how fortune cookies are made
  • fortune cookie
  • reference to afghanistan
  • karaoke
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Cast & crew

Fremont Cast & Characters

Anaita Wali Zada leads the cast as Donya, with Eddie Tang as Ricky and Jennifer McKay as Lin. Directed by Babak Jalali; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Babak Jalali

More films directed by Babak Jalali, best-rated first: Radio Dreams, Land and Heydar, an Afghan in Tehran.

Full filmography
Ratings

Fremont Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fremont 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

80 /100

Fremont Echo Score Breakdown

Fremont delivers a thoughtfully understated indie experience, anchored by its striking black‑and‑white cinematography and nuanced performances. Critics and viewers alike commend the film’s visual restraint and the lead’s compelling presence, while noting occasional pacing lapses in the second half. The modest narrative resonates through its intimate portrayal of immigrant life, offering an emotionally resonant, if imperfect, slice of everyday drama. Overall, the film succeeds in creating a quietly affecting portrait that rewards attentive viewing.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s restrained black‑and‑white palette and tight aspect ratio are repeatedly praised. Critics highlight the stylish, low‑fi aesthetic and measured direction, while users note the gorgeous cinematography and thoughtful framing. Some reviewers suggest tighter editing could improve flow, but the visual design remains a strong, consistent asset throughout the work.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance is described as mesmerizing and steadily compelling. Critics and users commend the nuanced acting and authentic chemistry among the ensemble. A few comments mention underdeveloped insights, yet the overall consensus acknowledges the depth and resonance of the portrayals, establishing an empathetic connection with the audience.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is seen as modest and occasionally meandering, especially in the latter half. Critics appreciate its gentle, heartfelt tone but note a lack of dramatic urgency. Viewer feedback mirrors this mixed view, praising thematic relevance while criticizing pacing and occasional redundancy, leading to a balanced assessment of the film’s storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience receives strong commendation for its understated soundtrack and cohesive visual style. Reviewers highlight the deliberate slow pace, nuanced sound design, and the impact of the monochrome aesthetic. Both critics and audience members describe the sensory elements as integral to the film’s mood, reinforcing its intimate and contemplative atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s subtle humor and lingering emotional themes encourage repeat viewings for many. Critics suggest it rewards patient audiences, and several users report thinking about the film long after it ends. While some find the pacing a barrier to frequent revisits, the overall impression is that its quiet depth sustains lasting appeal.

Plot

Fremont Plot Summary

What happens in Fremont from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Donya Anaita Wali Zada is an Afghan refugee living in Fremont, California after serving as a translator for the United States Army in Afghanistan. She battles insomnia and a growing sense of loneliness, having been in the United States for eight months.

She spends her days in nearby San Francisco working at a fortune cookie factory run by a warm, outgoing couple—Ricky [Eddie Tang] and his wife Lin [ Jennifer McKay]—while Lin sometimes appears cool or wary toward Donya.

Donya and her co-worker, Joanna [Hilda Schmelling], package the cookies, and their older colleague, Fan [Avis See-tho], writes the fortunes.

Full summary

The whole story of Fremont, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Fremont Box Office & Budget

Fremont grossed $601,594 worldwide on a $3 million budget, 20% of what it cost. $271,343 came from the US and Canada and $330,251 (55%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$601.6K

20% of its budget back

US & Canada
$271.3K
International
$330.3K
Budget
$3M
US & Canada 45% Rest of the world 55%
Awards

Fremont Awards & Nominations

Fremont earned 1 award nomination, including Best Breakthrough Performance at the Spirit Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Fremont Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Streaming Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Clip Exclusive Clip
  • Featurette Babak Jalali on “Fremont”
  • Featurette FREMONT wins the JOHN CASSAVETES AWARDS at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fremont?

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 Donya's occupation when she first arrives in Fremont?

Details

Fremont Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “幸運餅乾製作中” and “弗里蒙特”.

Also known as
  • 幸運餅乾製作中
  • 弗里蒙特
  • 프리몬트
  • فريمونت
  • Фремонт

Seen Fremont?

FAQ

Fremont FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Fremont?

Fremont runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Fremont released?

Fremont was released on August 25, 2023.

Who directed Fremont?

Fremont was directed by Babak Jalali.

More films by Babak Jalali

Who is in the cast of Fremont?

Fremont stars Anaita Wali Zada as Donya, Eddie Tang as Ricky and Jennifer McKay as Lin, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Fremont make at the box office?

Fremont grossed $601,594 worldwide ($271,343 domestic, $330,251 international) on a budget of $3 million.

How is Fremont rated?

Fremont has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Was Fremont nominated for any awards?

Fremont received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Fremont have a post-credit scene?

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

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