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Historical drama

Gold (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gold (2018) movie poster

Gold is a 2018 historical drama directed by Reema Kagti, starring Akshay Kumar as Tapan Das, Kunal Kapoor and Andrew Havill. It runs 2 hours 31 minutes and earned $505,385 worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
worldwide gross
$505.4K
Echo Score
62
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Gold (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 31m (151 min)
Director
Reema Kagti
Genres
Drama , History , Sport , War
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gold About?

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

Driven by the hope of a fortune, a struggling prospector and a skilled geologist venture deep into the Indonesian jungle. They face numerous challenges as they search for a legendary gold deposit, testing their partnership and resolve in the harsh wilderness. The quest promises wealth but demands everything they have.

Gold Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • indonesia
  • gold
  • panning for gold
  • 1980s
  • based on true story
  • reno nevada
  • time jump
  • father son relationship
  • malaria
  • stock market
  • reference to the hope diamond
  • tv news
+38 more
  • award ceremony
  • fraud
  • fbi raid
  • nudity
  • gold prospecting
  • mining company
  • inspired by a true story
  • southeast asia
  • geologist
  • financial difficulty
  • dream vision
  • jakarta indonesia
  • gold prospector
  • jungle
  • mining operation
  • mining camp
  • rainforest
  • geological survey
  • new york stock exchange
  • male nudity
  • stock
  • hot tub
  • rear nudity
  • greed
  • accepting an award
  • awards dinner
  • breakup
  • celebration
  • punched in the face
  • salting a mine
  • mineral specimen
  • questioned by the fbi
  • stock fraud
  • year 1988
  • new york city
  • pawnshop
  • petting a tiger
  • writing on napkin
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Cast & crew

Gold Cast & Characters

Akshay Kumar leads the cast as Tapan Das, with Kunal Kapoor as Samrat and Andrew Havill. Directed by Reema Kagti; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Reema Kagti

More films directed by Reema Kagti, best-rated first: Superboys of Malegaon, Talaash and Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd..

Full filmography
Ratings

Gold Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gold 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

62 /100

Gold Echo Score Breakdown

In its totality, Gold delivers compelling lead performance and striking visual style but is undercut by a lean narrative. Critics and viewers alike applaud Zac Efron’s committed turn and appreciate the film’s austere cinematography and austere design. However, recurring comments highlight an underdeveloped storyline, shallow tension, and uneven pacing that limit the film’s engagement. The soundtrack and minimalist score earn modest praise, yet they do not overcome the sparse screenplay. The result is a film that impresses in craft and acting but falls short in sustained narrative depth.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    Art & craft in Gold is handled with a minimalist yet purposeful aesthetic that largely supports the story. In terms of cinematography, the film uses austere desert compositions to enhance the tension. Production and design maintain a gritty realism, although some viewers found the visual palette too stark. Editing choices reinforce the film’s lean structure but occasionally feel abrupt. Overall, the art elements offer a striking but occasionally uneven backdrop.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    Character depth in Gold is elevated by a committed central performance but is limited by the script’s economy. When it comes to acting, Zac Efron’s portrayal is cited as compelling and resilient. Emotional resonance arises from moments of vulnerability, yet supporting roles sometimes lack development. Chemistry shines in key sequences but feels underexplored. Overall, the film engages through its lead performance but offers uneven depth across the ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Gold presents a lean narrative that divides opinion. Plot coherence is undermined by unexplained character decisions and pacing lapses. While the minimalist structure is praised as taut, many describe the tension as shallow and the ending abrupt. Originality in the post-apocalyptic desert framework is noted, yet engagement falters when dramatic stakes remain underdeveloped.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, Gold offers a stark sonic and visual palette that contributes to its austere ambiance. The soundtrack and sound design are praised for matching the desert setting, though some viewers find the mix too subdued. Visually, the film’s sun-bleached color palette underscores its harsh environment, while occasional lighting choices are criticized as overly muted. Overall, sensory elements reinforce the film’s tone but may feel one-note.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When considering rewatch value, Gold’s strengths in performance and visual atmosphere offer some appeal for a second viewing. The central portrayal by Zac Efron and the film’s stark aesthetic may reward viewers seeking to appreciate craft details. However, the thin narrative and uneven pacing reduce the incentive for repeat watches. Consequently, the film holds modest lasting appeal: engaging on first view but offering limited new discoveries thereafter.

Plot

Gold Plot Summary

What happens in Gold from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1981, Kenny Wells (portrayed by Matthew McConaughey) is struggling to keep his father’s legacy alive by managing a failing prospecting company, Washoe. After the death of his father, Kenny finds himself in dire straits, operating out of his girlfriend Kay’s (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) bar. With dreams of striking it rich, Kenny embarks on a journey to Indonesia where he forges a partnership with geologist Michael Acosta (seen in the role by Edgar Ramirez). Together, they face financial hardship but eventually strike a deal to invest in a gold mine.

Full summary

The whole story of Gold, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gold Box Office & Budget

Gold grossed $505,385 worldwide on a $20 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$505.4K

International
$505.4K
Budget
$20M
Videos

Gold Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Gold Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Matthew McConaughey Movie
  • Trailer GOLD- Official Trailer- In cinemas now
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gold?

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character in 'Gold'?

Details

Gold Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Gold Hindi” and “เหรียญทอง”.

Also known as
  • Gold Hindi
  • เหรียญทอง
  • Злато
  • Arany
  • 금메달을 향하여
  • 金色荣耀

Seen Gold?

FAQ

Gold FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Gold?

Gold runs 2 hours 31 minutes (151 minutes).

When was Gold released?

Gold was released on August 15, 2018.

Who directed Gold?

Gold was directed by Reema Kagti.

More films by Reema Kagti

Who is in the cast of Gold?

Gold stars Akshay Kumar as Tapan Das, Kunal Kapoor as Samrat and Andrew Havill, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Gold make at the box office?

Gold grossed $505,385 worldwide on a budget of $20 million.

How is Gold rated?

Gold has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Gold have a post-credit scene?

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

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