Il Buco (2022): Cast & Ratings
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Michelangelo Frammartino
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Italian
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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.
- Director Michelangelo Frammartino
- Antonio Lanza as Antonio
- Carlos José Crespo as Squadra speleo
- Claudia Candusso as Squadra speleo
- Denise Trombin as Squadra speleo
Also Starring in Il Buco
· 7 more- Federico Gregoretti Squadra speleo
- Giovanbattista Sauro Squadra speleo
- Jacopo Elia Squadra speleo
- Leonardo Larocca Medico
- Mila Costi Squadra speleo
- Nicola Lanza Zi' Nicola
- Paolo Cossi Disegnatore squadra speleo
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.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
55 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Il Buco Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Il Buco.
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 Show fewer
- Η Τρύπα
- Luknja
Seen Il Buco?
Movies Like Il Buco
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Caverna, A Leap in the Dark and Tutti a squola.
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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