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Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (2024) movie poster

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell is a 2024 drama directed by Thien An Pham, starring Le Phong Vu as Thien, Nguyen Thinh and Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh. It runs 2 hours 59 minutes and earned $352,927 worldwide on a $243,700 budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 2025. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$352.9K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
85
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Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 59m (179 min)
Director
Thien An Pham
Genre
Drama
Original language
Vietnamese
Budget
$243.7K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell About?

The premise of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following the loss of his sister-in-law and her son, Thien returns to his family’s rural village. There, he confronts profound grief and grapples with his own spiritual uncertainties while observing the deep faith of the people around him. The journey becomes a poignant exploration of loss, connection, and the search for meaning.

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Cast & crew

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Cast & Characters

Le Phong Vu leads the cast as Thien, with Nguyen Thinh as Dao and Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh as Sister Thao. Directed by Thien An Pham; 4 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 94 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (75).

85 /100

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Echo Score Breakdown

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell excels in delivering a meditative and visually rich experience that resonates on a spiritual level. Critics laud its exquisite cinematography, contemplative pacing, and thoughtful exploration of grief and enlightenment, highlighting the seamless blend of surrealism and realism. Some viewers, however, find the slender plot and extended three-hour runtime to be demanding and occasionally opaque, with subtitles and narrative cues that require focused attention. Overall, the film’s profound thematic depth and sensory precision leave a lasting impact, even as its deliberate style may challenge casual viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction and cinematography stand out for their panoramic intelligence and understated color palette. Critics praise the long tracking shots and production design, which capture both surreal and realist elements with precision. Some feedback notes that certain sequences could benefit from tighter editing. Net impression: visually striking work with minor pacing refinements needed.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Regarding Character & Emotion, the film offers a nuanced portrayal of the protagonist’s spiritual journey and emotional resonance. Reviews highlight the understated performance, deep introspection, and authentic chemistry between characters, which foster empathy and connection. A few viewers found character motivations somewhat elusive. Overall, the emotional subtlety sustains engagement through its contemplative tone.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film’s slender narrative framework prioritizes thematic depth over conventional plot development. Critics commend its originality and measured pacing, suggesting that moments of confusion can facilitate introspection. Some audience members, however, describe the storyline as opaque, citing rapid subtitle transitions and slow momentum. Ultimately, the contemplative structure invites reflection even as it challenges narrative expectations.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Concerning the Sensory Experience, the film delivers a richly textured soundscape and visual style that immerse viewers in its Vietnamese settings. Observers praise the evocative soundtrack, precise sound design, and cohesive color grading that enhance the blend of realism and surreal imagery. The sensory cohesion reinforces the film’s meditative atmosphere throughout its runtime.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Regarding the Rewatch Factor, the film’s thematic complexity and lingering visual compositions encourage repeat viewings for deeper insight. Viewers often note that subsequent watches reveal additional layers of spiritual and cultural nuance. Some find the three-hour length and deliberate pacing a barrier to frequent re-engagement. Nonetheless, its lasting imagery supports enduring appeal.

Plot

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Plot Summary

What happens in Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As Thien grapples with the tragic loss of his sister-in-law Teresa in a heart-wrenching motorcycle accident in Saigon, there’s a glimmer of hope as his young nephew Dao, only five years old, miraculously survives the ordeal. In a poignant blend of sorrow and responsibility, Thien makes the difficult journey back to his rural hometown, bringing along both Teresa’s lifeless body and Dao, where the rustic charm of the countryside provides a stark contrast to their mourning.

Full summary

The whole story of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Box Office & Budget

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell grossed $352,927 worldwide on a $243,700 budget, 1.4 times what it cost. $75,056 came from the US and Canada and $277,871 (79%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$352.9K

1.4× its budget

US & Canada
$75.1K
International
$277.9K
Budget
$243.7K
US & Canada 21% Rest of the world 79%
Awards

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Awards & Nominations

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell earned 1 award nomination, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 2025.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official U.S. Trailer
  • Clip Exclusive Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event sets the story in motion?

Details

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “霧中潛行” and “El árbol de las mariposas doradas”.

Also known as
  • 霧中潛行
  • El árbol de las mariposas doradas
  • L'Arbre aux papillons d'or
  • Uvnitř žluté kukly
  • בתוך פקעת הזהב
  • Bên Trong Vỏ Kén Vàng
  • 노란 누에고치 껍데기 속
  • Το Δέντρο με τις Χρυσές Πεταλούδες
  • 金色茧房
  • 霧旅人
  • W żółtym kokonie

Seen Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell?

FAQ

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell runs 2 hours 59 minutes (179 minutes).

When was Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell released?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell was released on January 19, 2024.

Who directed Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell was directed by Thien An Pham.

Who is in the cast of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell stars Le Phong Vu as Thien, Nguyen Thinh as Dao and Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh as Sister Thao, among 4 credited actors.

How much did Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell make at the box office?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell grossed $352,927 worldwide ($75,056 domestic, $277,871 international) on a budget of $243,700.

How is Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell rated?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic, 63% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell nominated for any awards?

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell have a post-credit scene?

No. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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