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Hearts and Bones (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Hearts and Bones (2020) movie poster

Hearts and Bones is a 2020 drama directed by Ben Lawrence, starring Alan Dukes as Graham Fisher, Melanie De Ferranti and Hugo Weaving. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $95,565 worldwide. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Lead Actor at the AACTA Awards 2019. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$95.6K
award nominations
3
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Hearts and Bones (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Ben Lawrence
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hearts and Bones About?

The premise of Hearts and Bones without spoilers.

War photographer Daniel Fisher faces a personal crisis as his exhibition nears, struggling with the responsibilities of fatherhood. A refugee's heartfelt request to remove a particularly distressing photograph sparks a flood of painful memories, challenging Daniel’s perspective and forcing him to examine the profound human toll of conflict. He must then confront his past and consider the impact of his work.

Hearts and Bones Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • massacre
  • female nudity
  • south sudan
  • refugee
  • war torn
  • taxi driver
  • singing
  • war photographer
  • male friendship
  • moving house
  • gun to head
  • mother mourns baby
+38 more
  • pregnancy
  • ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
  • a cappella singing
  • year 2018
  • nasiriyah iraq
  • radio interview
  • photographer
  • pregnant woman
  • photograph
  • no opening credits
  • co written by director
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • war trauma
  • war flashback
  • australian cinema
  • ultrasound picture
  • directorial feature film debut
  • hopeful ending
  • repressed memories
  • family relationships
  • commercial laundry
  • home renovation
  • dead baby
  • social drama
  • landmine explosion
  • australia
  • black male white male relationship
  • marital crisis
  • placental abruption
  • widowed man
  • pregnancy announcement
  • choir rehearsal
  • war drama
  • musical performance
  • immigrant experience
  • australian man
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Cast & crew

Hearts and Bones Cast & Characters

Alan Dukes leads the cast as Graham Fisher, with Melanie De Ferranti as Claire Fisher and Hugo Weaving as Dan Fisher. Directed by Ben Lawrence; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hearts and Bones

· 6 more
From the director

More from Ben Lawrence

More films directed by Ben Lawrence, best-rated first: Ithaka, Hearts and Bones and Ghosthunter.

Full filmography
Ratings

Hearts and Bones Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hearts and Bones 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

74 /100

Hearts and Bones Echo Score Breakdown

Hearts and Bones delivers a thoughtfully directed drama propelled by nuanced performances and emotional depth. The narrative unfolds with deliberate pacing that some viewers find slow yet culminates in a powerful climax. While the film occasionally suffers lapses in plausibility and surface-level moments, its thematic resonance and immersive storytelling leave a lasting impression. Overall, the film balances its contemplative tone with strong character work for a memorable viewing experience.

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, the film showcases confident direction complemented by measured editing and thoughtful production design. The restrained visual approach underscores key emotional beats without overstating them. While the cinematography is unobtrusive, it contributes to a cohesive aesthetic throughout. Some viewers note a lack of striking visual flourishes, yet the overall design supports the film’s subdued, character-driven focus with clarity.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are consistently strong and emotionally resonant. The lead actors convey nuanced bonds shaped by memory and trauma, offering moments of genuine vulnerability. However, occasional lapses in characterization and implausible dialogue undercut some scenes’ credibility. Despite these weaknesses, the ensemble’s chemistry largely sustains the film’s intimate, human-centered narrative.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film unfolds with deliberate pacing that enhances anticipation before the narrative threads converge. The thematic exploration of social issues and personal trauma provides depth, yet certain plot developments feel underexplored and occasional plausibility gaps emerge. Viewers cite a slow build that rewards patience with a compelling climax. Overall, the storyline delivers meaningful engagement despite uneven momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film employs an understated sound design and a tasteful soundtrack that enhance emotional moments without distraction. The visual style remains consistent, favoring muted tones that match the drama’s somber mood. The unexpected use of an ’80s song in the finale offers a memorable aural highlight. Overall, the sensory elements complement the story’s reflective tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s moral complexity and emotional undercurrents encourage reflection beyond a single viewing. The layered character dynamics and thematic depth invite further analysis, though the deliberate pacing may test viewer patience on subsequent watches. While some scenes lose impact on repeat viewings, the film’s core ideas retain enough resonance to merit another watch.

Box office

Hearts and Bones Box Office

Hearts and Bones grossed $95,565 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$95.6K

International
$95K
Awards

Hearts and Bones Awards & Nominations

Hearts and Bones earned 3 award nominations, including Best Lead Actor at the AACTA Awards 2019.

3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Hearts and Bones Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Hearts and Bones.

Official Trailer
Details

Hearts and Bones Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “심장과 뼈” and “Сердца и кости”.

Also known as
  • 심장과 뼈
  • Сердца и кости
  • 心与骨
  • Retratos de Guerra

Seen Hearts and Bones?

FAQ

Hearts and Bones FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Hearts and Bones?

Hearts and Bones runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Hearts and Bones released?

Hearts and Bones was released on November 20, 2020.

Who directed Hearts and Bones?

Hearts and Bones was directed by Ben Lawrence.

More films by Ben Lawrence

Who is in the cast of Hearts and Bones?

Hearts and Bones stars Alan Dukes as Graham Fisher, Melanie De Ferranti as Claire Fisher and Hugo Weaving as Dan Fisher, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Hearts and Bones make at the box office?

Hearts and Bones grossed $95,565 worldwide.

How is Hearts and Bones rated?

Hearts and Bones has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Was Hearts and Bones nominated for any awards?

Hearts and Bones received 3 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Hearts and Bones have a post-credit scene?

No. Hearts and Bones has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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