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Drama

Il Buco (2022): Cast & Ratings

Il Buco (2022) movie poster

Il Buco is a 2022 drama directed by Michelangelo Frammartino, starring Antonio Lanza as Antonio, Carlos José Crespo and Claudia Candusso. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Echo Score
71
Metascore
78
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Il Buco (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Italian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Il Buco About?

The premise of Il Buco without spoilers.

During Italy's economic boom in the 1960s, a team of courageous speleologists ventures into the deepest cave in Europe, located in the remote Calabrian wilderness. Their exploration of the Bifurto Abyss disrupts the solitude of an elderly shepherd on the Pollino plateau. The journey to the cave's depths sparks a thoughtful examination of isolation, human connection, and the impact of progress on traditional ways of life.

Il Buco Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • year 1961
  • speleology
  • cave
  • darkness
  • southern italy
  • very little dialogue
  • speleologist
  • 1960s
  • exploring a cave
  • exploration
  • calabria italy
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Cast & crew

Il Buco Cast & Characters

Antonio Lanza leads the cast as Antonio, with Carlos José Crespo as Squadra speleo and Claudia Candusso as Squadra speleo. Directed by Michelangelo Frammartino; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Il Buco

· 7 more
From the director

More from Michelangelo Frammartino

More films directed by Michelangelo Frammartino, best-rated first: Il Dono, The Four Times (Le Quattro Volte) and The Four Times.

Full filmography
Ratings

Il Buco Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Il Buco 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in character & emotion (45).

71 /100

Il Buco Echo Score Breakdown

Il Buco presents a largely immersive audiovisual experience that leans toward poetic contemplation, though its narrative restraint and minimal character focus generate mixed reactions. Critics commend the film's visual elegance and philosophical undertones, while noting the absence of conventional storytelling and emotional anchors. The overall impression is that the work excels in sensory craft but may leave viewers seeking clearer narrative purpose wanting, resulting in a solid yet not universally compelling assessment.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates meticulous composition and striking visual design. Reviewers highlight the delicate cinematography and precise recreation of a 1961 expedition, praising the director's confident restraint. Some criticism points to occasional ambiguity that can feel overly abstract. Overall, the craftsmanship is regarded as strong and largely effective.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film’s minimal dialogue and sparse human interaction draw concern. Critics note a lack of personality and relational depth, describing the approach as a series of visual postcards rather than lived characters. While a few acknowledge the contemplative mood, the prevailing view is that emotional resonance is limited.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story and flow receive a mixed appraisal. Reviewers appreciate the originality of the wordless narrative and its philosophical ambition, yet many cite a vague plot trajectory and underdeveloped thematic resolution. Pacing is described as thoughtful but occasionally falls short of delivering the anticipated revelation, resulting in an overall moderate assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory experience stands out as a principal strength. Critics frequently mention the film’s immersive soundscape, striking visual palette, and the ability to capture fleeting natural phenomena such as mist and dripping water. The auditory and visual components are consistently praised as evocative and expertly integrated, delivering a compelling sensory journey.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor is viewed as fairly high due to the film’s layered visuals and contemplative rhythm, which reward repeat viewings. Some reviewers, however, suggest that the lack of narrative clarity may diminish long‑term appeal for certain audiences. On balance, the work offers enough intrigue to merit subsequent screenings.

Videos

Il Buco Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Il Buco.

Official Trailer
Details

Il Buco Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Ala” and “ปริศนาถ้ำลับ”.

Also known as
  • Ala
  • ปริศนาถ้ำลับ
  • Ein Höhlengleichnis
  • The Hole
  • 洞
  • 일 부코
  • Díra
  • Pod ziemią
  • Дыра
  • הבור
  • Діра
  • A barlang
+2 more
  • Η Τρύπα
  • Luknja

Seen Il Buco?

FAQ

Il Buco FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Il Buco?

Il Buco runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Il Buco released?

Il Buco was released on May 13, 2022.

Who directed Il Buco?

Il Buco was directed by Michelangelo Frammartino.

More films by Michelangelo Frammartino

Who is in the cast of Il Buco?

Il Buco stars Antonio Lanza as Antonio, Carlos José Crespo as Squadra speleo and Claudia Candusso as Squadra speleo, among 11 credited actors.

How is Il Buco rated?

Il Buco has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Il Buco have a post-credit scene?

No. Il Buco has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Il Buco in?

The original language of Il Buco is Italian.

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