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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Hilma (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Hilma (2023) movie poster

Hilma is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Lasse Hallstrom, starring Lena Olin as Older Hilma, Karolis Kasperavicius and Tom Wlaschiha. It runs 2 hours and earned $768,256 worldwide. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$768.3K
Echo Score
61
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Hilma (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Lasse Hallstrom
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hilma About?

The premise of Hilma without spoilers.

Hilma tells the story of Hilma af Klint, a groundbreaking Swedish artist who created radical abstract paintings long before the mainstream art world was ready. The film follows her journey from a young artist, portrayed by Tora Hallström, to a mature and accomplished painter, played by Lena Olin. Through her life, we see how she was influenced by spiritualism and the writings of Rudolf Steiner, leading her to explore unconventional subjects and techniques. Hilma’s artistic evolution challenges the established norms of her time, revealing a visionary talent whose work was largely unrecognized during her lifetime.

Hilma Themes & Keywords

· 30 tags
  • lgbt
  • lgbt cinema
  • lgbt plus
  • queer
  • lesbianism
  • female female kiss
  • 1940s
  • 1880s
  • lesbian character
  • flashback
  • museum
  • occultist
+18 more
  • painting
  • spiritism
  • art
  • dead sister
  • painter
  • ghost
  • dead horse
  • dead child
  • reference to edvard munch
  • occult
  • art exhibition
  • copenhagen denmark
  • artist
  • occultism
  • seance
  • blind woman
  • theosophy
  • reference to rudolf steiner
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Cast & crew

Hilma Cast & Characters

Lena Olin leads the cast as Older Hilma, with Karolis Kasperavicius as Johan af Klint and Tom Wlaschiha as Rudolf Steiner. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hilma

· 6 more
From the director

More from Lasse Hallstrom

More films directed by Lasse Hallstrom, best-rated first: My Life as a Dog, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Hoax and The Hundred-Foot Journey.

Full filmography
Ratings

Hilma Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hilma 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

61 /100

Hilma Echo Score Breakdown

Hilma presents a respectable but uneven portrait of the Swedish abstract painter, blending moments of visual allure with narrative lapses. Critics acknowledge the director's attentive handling of the artist's spiritual motivations and commend the warm central performances, yet note a tendency toward melodramatic excess and conventional biopic constraints. Audience reactions echo this split, with some finding the film rewarding for its thematic depth while others deem it unnecessarily drawn out. Overall, the film offers modest merit tempered by notable shortcomings.

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 demonstrates a careful visual composition that highlights Hilma af Klint's paintings and the natural settings surrounding them. Critics praise the immersive staging and the director's ability to convey the painter's spiritual mystery, though some point to low‑budget blue‑screen effects that dilute the overall polish. The blend of strong cinematography with occasional technical roughness yields a generally favorable assessment of the film's craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating character and emotion, reviewers highlight the sincere performances delivered by the lead actress and supporting cast, noting an authentic portrayal of familial affection and artistic dedication. The warmth of the young Hilma’s depiction is frequently mentioned as a strength. Conversely, some critics describe the protagonist’s portrayal as melodramatic or overly pious, suggesting a uneven emotional tone. These mixed observations lead to a moderately positive character rating.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story and flow of Hilma receive a mixed response, with praise for its ambition to explore the painter’s spiritual pursuits and the obstacles she faced. However, reviewers also cite a sluggish pacing in sections and a conventional biopic structure that undercuts narrative originality. One critic calls the film shortchanging of the artist’s life, while another acknowledges its measured presentation. This balance of strengths and weaknesses results in a middling story score.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience in the film is characterized by a blend of evocative visual motifs and occasional technical limitations. Critics commend the atmospheric use of color and composition that echo Hilma’s artwork, yet some point out inexpensive visual effects that distract from immersion. The soundtrack and sound design are noted as supportive but unremarkable. Overall, the sensory elements contribute positively but are tempered by noticeable production constraints.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor for Hilma appears modest, with some viewers finding the thematic exploration of art and spirituality compelling enough for repeat viewings. Positive feedback emphasizes the film’s informative value for audiences interested in the subject. Conversely, remarks about melodrama, pacing issues, and conventional storytelling suggest limited incentive for a second viewing. Consequently, the film holds a moderate appeal for rewatching.

Box office

Hilma Box Office

Hilma grossed $768,256 worldwide. $35,935 came from the US and Canada and $732,321 (95%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$768.3K

US & Canada
$35.9K
International
$732.3K
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Videos

Hilma Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes | Lily Cole Interview
Details

Hilma Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “希尔玛” and “힐마”.

Also known as
  • 希尔玛
  • 힐마
  • Hilma - Alle Farben der Seele
  • 神秘畫家希爾瑪
  • 畫家希爾瑪 Hilma
  • ฮิลมา งานศิลป์-จิต-วิญญาณ

Seen Hilma?

FAQ

Hilma FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Hilma?

Hilma runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Hilma released?

Hilma was released on April 14, 2023.

Who directed Hilma?

Hilma was directed by Lasse Hallstrom.

More films by Lasse Hallstrom

Who is in the cast of Hilma?

Hilma stars Lena Olin as Older Hilma, Karolis Kasperavicius as Johan af Klint and Tom Wlaschiha as Rudolf Steiner, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Hilma make at the box office?

Hilma grossed $768,256 worldwide ($35,935 domestic, $732,321 international).

How is Hilma rated?

Hilma has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 52% on TMDB.

Does Hilma have a post-credit scene?

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

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