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Drama

Gagarine (2022): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Gagarine (2022) movie poster

Gagarine is a 2022 drama directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh, starring Alseni Bathily as Youri, Lyna Khoudri and Jamil McCraven. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
Echo Score
63
Metascore
74
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Gagarine (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gagarine About?

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

Sixteen-year-old Youri lives in Gagarine Cité, a housing project on the outskirts of Paris, where his dreams of space are intertwined with his surroundings. When the demolition of his home is announced, Youri, along with friends Diana and Houssam, decides to take action. They work together to revitalize the estate and create a symbol of hope for their community before it’s lost forever, facing a bittersweet future.

Gagarine Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • one word title
  • cosmonaut
  • reference to yuri gagarin
  • parisian suburb
  • building
  • archive footage
  • rooftop
  • elevator
  • elevator out of order
  • fire alarm
  • evacuation
  • morse code
+22 more
  • solar eclipse
  • jewel
  • kiss
  • crane
  • crane the machine
  • police
  • demolition
  • magical realism
  • apartment building
  • demolishing a building
  • construction crane
  • construction site
  • astronaut
  • france
  • spaceship
  • aerial camera shot
  • scene during end credits
  • written by director
  • boy uses a wheelchair
  • housing project
  • town
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Gagarine Cast & Characters

Alseni Bathily leads the cast as Youri, with Lyna Khoudri as Diana and Jamil McCraven as Houssam. Directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh

More films directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh: Blue Dog and Gagarine.

Ratings

Gagarine Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gagarine 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).

63 /100

Gagarine Echo Score Breakdown

Gagarine presents a modestly engaging blend of magical realism and social commentary, anchored by an imaginative visual palette and a committed central performance. While its direction and production design evoke a poetic atmosphere, the narrative often falters, leading to uneven pacing and occasional disjointedness. The film resonates emotionally for some viewers but leaves others feeling unsettled by its structural lapses. Overall, it offers a worthwhile, though imperfect, cinematic experience.

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 showcases a vibrant visual language, with an inventive use of color and composition that underscores its dreamlike tone. Critics highlight the imaginative cinematography and purposeful production design, though a few note moments where stylistic flourishes miss their mark. The editing supports the lyrical pacing, balancing poetic sequences with narrative flow. The overall craftsmanship is solid and often striking.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating character and emotion, the lead performance is repeatedly praised for its nuance and authenticity, lending credibility to the protagonist's aspirations. Supporting roles, however, are described as underdeveloped, limiting emotional depth for many viewers. The chemistry among the young cast feels genuine in several scenes, yet the broader ensemble lacks sufficient backstory. Consequently, the character work is competent but uneven.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the premise of a threatened housing project infused with cosmic yearning is compelling and original. Nevertheless, critics and users alike point to meandering sections and a loss of narrative focus as the film progresses. Pacing slips during fantastical interludes, resulting in a disjointed rhythm that hampers engagement. While moments of originality shine, the overall structure feels uneven and at times unsatisfying.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    The sensory experience stands out, with a soundtrack that sways between ambient dreaminess and emotive accents, enhancing the film's otherworldly atmosphere. Visual styling—bright reds, soft lighting, and imaginative set pieces—creates a cohesive aesthetic that draws viewers into the protagonist's inner world. Sound design subtly supports the juxtaposition of reality and fantasy, reinforcing the film's lyrical tone. This aspect receives consistently positive feedback.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch value is mixed; the film's poetic visuals and occasional lyrical moments invite a second viewing for those drawn to its artistic ambition. However, the narrative inconsistencies and underdeveloped subplots diminish long‑term appeal for many audience members. While some viewers appreciate uncovering new visual details, others find the story's flaws linger, limiting repeat enjoyment. Overall, it offers modest replay potential.

Plot

Gagarine Plot Summary

What happens in Gagarine from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set in the housing project of Cité Gagarine in Ivry-sur-Seine, the story follows 16-year-old Youri, who desperately protests the planned demolition of his community. Despite efforts by Youri and his friends to maintain the estate by changing lightbulbs and painting over graffiti, they are unable to stop the building inspectors from closing the area.

Full summary

The whole story of Gagarine, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Gagarine Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.

Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer US Trailer
  • Featurette GAGARINE Director Q&A
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gagarine?

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

In which commune, located southeast of Paris, is the Cité Gagarine housing project situated?

Seen Gagarine?

FAQ

Gagarine FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Gagarine, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gagarine?

Gagarine runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Gagarine released?

Gagarine was released on April 1, 2022.

Who directed Gagarine?

Gagarine was directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh.

More films by Fanny Liatard

Who is in the cast of Gagarine?

Gagarine stars Alseni Bathily as Youri, Lyna Khoudri as Diana and Jamil McCraven as Houssam, among 10 credited actors.

How is Gagarine rated?

Gagarine has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Gagarine have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Gagarine in?

The original language of Gagarine is French.

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