How to Build a Girl (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
How to Build a Girl is a 2020 comedy directed by Coky Giedroyc, starring Cleo as Bianca Morrigan, Laurie Kynaston and Sarah Solemani. It is based on How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $70,632 worldwide. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2019. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Coky Giedroyc
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Films
- Based on
- How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is How to Build a Girl About?
The premise of How to Build a Girl without spoilers, adapted from How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1990s Wolverhampton, Johana Morrigan uses her vibrant imagination to cope with a turbulent family life. Her unconventional music reviews gain attention from indie rock critics, leading her to create the persona of Dolly Wilde – a celebrated critic known for her bold opinions and desire for recognition. As Dolly’s fame grows, Johana questions the cost of her ambition and grapples with the possibility that she’s lost sight of her true self in the pursuit of success.
How to Build a Girl Cast & Characters
Cleo leads the cast as Bianca Morrigan, with Laurie Kynaston as Krissi Morrigan and Sarah Solemani as Angie Morrigan. Directed by Coky Giedroyc; 22 actors are credited in all.
- Director Coky Giedroyc
- Cleo as Bianca Morrigan
- Laurie Kynaston as Krissi Morrigan
- Sarah Solemani as Angie Morrigan
- Freya Perry as Morrigan Twin
Also Starring in How to Build a Girl
· 18 more- Stellan Powell Lupin Morrigan
- Beanie Feldstein Johanna Morrigan
- Michael Sheen Dr. Freud
- Gemma Arterton Maria von Trapp
- Emma Thompson
- Paddy Considine Pat Morrigan
- Lucy Punch Sylvia Plath
- Sharon Horgan Jo March
- Chris O'Dowd
- Joanna Scanlan
- Alfie Allen
- Edward Bluemel
- Catherine Tate
- Jameela Jamil Cleopatra
- Dónal Finn Karl Boden
- Frank Dillane
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harper Perry Morrigan Twin
- Violet Amer Morrigan Twin
More from Coky Giedroyc
More films directed by Coky Giedroyc: Greatest Days, How to Build a Girl, The Sound of Music Live! and Fear of Fanny.
How to Build a Girl Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave How to Build a Girl 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
How to Build a Girl Echo Score Breakdown
Energetic yet uneven, How to Build a Girl delivers a vibrant coming-of-age tale anchored by a dynamic lead performance. The film’s brisk pacing and playful tone maintain engagement, while occasional tonal shifts and thematic shortcuts interrupt deeper resonance. Visual transitions and scene constructions feel polished, though not always seamlessly integrated. Ultimately, the film’s spirited momentum and standout performance outweigh its structural inconsistencies, resulting in an entertaining if imperfect experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
When it comes to art and craft, the film exhibits a lively directorial approach with crisp editing and coherent shot compositions. Production design subtly underscores the contrast between working-class roots and a privileged music scene. Occasional tonal mismatches in visual style reflect uneven thematic exploration. Overall, the visual and editorial choices support the narrative’s vitality despite sporadic disjunctions.
- Character & Emotion 80
In terms of character and emotion, the lead brings a bold, charismatic presence that drives the narrative forward. The chemistry between protagonist and supporting figures emerges naturally, enriching emotional dynamics. Some inconsistency in vocal performance slightly detracts from character immersion, yet depth remains through relatable motivations and growth. Ultimately, the protagonist’s nuanced portrayal proves the film’s most compelling asset.
- Story & Flow 60
In story and flow, the narrative offers a compelling foundation rooted in personal discovery and class awareness. Pacing stays brisk and entertaining, though it occasionally rushes critical emotional beats and underdevelops thematic potential. Originality shines in its feminist perspective on the music industry, but coherence falters when tonal shifts disrupt narrative continuity. Net impact: engaging but narratively uneven.
- Sensory Experience 70
When considering the sensory experience, the soundtrack of emerging rock interweaves effectively with the story’s emotional highs and lows. Sound design accentuates both intimate conversations and energetic performance sequences. The visual style balances earthy realism with stylized musical moments, creating a cohesive aesthetic. Though moments of tonal incontinence arise, overall sensory elements amplify the film’s lively atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s buoyant energy and memorable lead performance invite repeat viewings. Fast-paced sequences and witty dialogue retain freshness on subsequent watches. However, structural gaps and inconsistent tonal shifts become more apparent upon revisiting, reducing long-term appeal. In sum, the film offers moderate replay value driven by its central performance, tempered by narrative unevenness.
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Rotten Tomatoes 79% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 54%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 69 Metascore
User score 6.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.8 /5
3 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
How to Build a Girl Plot Summary
What happens in How to Build a Girl from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the vibrant atmosphere of the 1990s, 16-year-old Johanna Morrigan makes her home on a council estate in Wolverhampton. Here, she lives with her ambitious rock star father, Pat, her weary mother Angie, her brothers Krissi and Lupin, along with two lively infant twins. Johanna harbors a deep desire to escape her mundane life and become a writer. She finds solace in conversing with the portraits of her heroes that adorn her bedroom walls.
Full summary
The whole story of How to Build a Girl, scene by scene
How to Build a Girl Box Office
How to Build a Girl grossed $70,632 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$70.6K
- US & Canada
- $70.6K
How to Build a Girl Awards & Nominations
How to Build a Girl won 1 award from 1 nomination, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2019.
1 win1 nomination1 ceremony
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TIFF 2019 1 win · 1 nomination- Won FIPRESCI Special Presentations – Coky Giedroyc
How to Build a Girl Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Featurette The Cast of How to Build A Girl Talk Script Writing And 90s Music
- Featurette LIVING ROOM Q&As: How to Build a Girl with Caitlin Moran and director Coky Giedroyc
- Behind the Scenes The Music Behind How to Build A Girl
How Well Do You Know How to Build a Girl?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the protagonist in 'How to Build a Girl'?
Cars in How to Build a Girl
25 cars on screen, including the 1988 Volkswagen Caravelle T3 Typ 2 and the 1972 Volkswagen unknown T2 Typ 2.
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1988 Volkswagen Caravelle T3 Typ 2 Important role -
1972 Volkswagen unknown T2 Typ 2 Important role -
1969 Austin FX4 Minor role -
Leyland Olympian Minor role
How to Build a Girl Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Cómo se hace una chica” and “Como Se Tornar Influente”.
- Also known as
-
- Cómo se hace una chica
- Como Se Tornar Influente
Seen How to Build a Girl?
How to Build a Girl FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of How to Build a Girl, each answered in a sentence.
How long is How to Build a Girl?
How to Build a Girl runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was How to Build a Girl released?
How to Build a Girl was released on May 8, 2020.
Who directed How to Build a Girl?
How to Build a Girl was directed by Coky Giedroyc.
More films by Coky Giedroyc Who is in the cast of How to Build a Girl?
How to Build a Girl stars Cleo as Bianca Morrigan, Laurie Kynaston as Krissi Morrigan and Sarah Solemani as Angie Morrigan, among 22 credited actors.
How much did How to Build a Girl make at the box office?
How to Build a Girl grossed $70,632 worldwide.
How is How to Build a Girl rated?
How to Build a Girl has 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic, 57% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.
Is How to Build a Girl based on a book?
Yes. How to Build a Girl is adapted from How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran.
What awards did How to Build a Girl win?
How to Build a Girl won 1 award from 1 nomination, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2019.
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