Intrigo: Death of an Author (2020): Cast & Ratings
Intrigo: Death of an Author is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Daniel Alfredson, starring Benno Fürmann as David Schwarz, Ben Kingsley and Tuva Novotny. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes. Critics gave it 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 46m (106 min)
- Director
- Daniel Alfredson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Intrigo: Death of an Author About?
The premise of Intrigo: Death of an Author without spoilers.
A lone sailor struggles against harsh seas before his damaged boat is found adrift. Simultaneously, in Stockholm, a translator named David receives a puzzling manuscript from the deceased, enigmatic author Germund Rein. The manuscript's existence is steeped in mystery. As David translates the novel, he finds unsettling connections to his own past, particularly the disappearance of his wife, Ewa. He must confront a web of deceit where the boundaries of reality and fiction become dangerously blurred, and a dark truth emerges that puts him in grave danger.
Intrigo: Death of an Author Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- author
- boat
- manuscript
- stockholm sweden
- publisher
- publishing house
- letter
- translator
- amsterdam netherlands
- story within a story
- greek island
- graues germany
+38 more Show fewer
- husband wife relationship
- murder of wife
- murder plot
- underwater scene
- scene during opening credits
- voice over narration
- female narrator
- hate
- revenge
- nemesis
- backpack
- co written by director
- man wears sunglasses
- bald headed man
- tea
- man with a beard
- mustached man
- solitude
- lighthouse
- olive grove
- reference to christopher columbus
- man wears eyeglasses
- fictional novel
- writer
- high school teacher
- reading aloud
- computer
- prologue
- extramarital affair
- adultery
- unfaithfulness
- infidelity
- therapist patient relationship
- therapist
- apology
- listening to music
- listening to music on a car radio
- listening to a car radio
Intrigo: Death of an Author Cast & Characters
Benno Fürmann leads the cast as David Schwarz, with Ben Kingsley as Henderson and Tuva Novotny as Eva Schwarz. Directed by Daniel Alfredson; 14 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Daniel Alfredson
-
Benno Fürmann as David Schwarz -
Ben Kingsley as Henderson -
Tuva Novotny as Eva Schwarz -
Veronica Ferres as Judith Kerr
Also Starring in Intrigo: Death of an Author
· 10 more- Michael Byrne Keller
- Erik Johansson
- Elizabeth Counsell Frau Bloeme
- Sandra Dickinson Madame H
- Ed Cooper Clarke Thomas Neumann-Hansen
- Mladen Sovilj
- Daniela Lavender Mariam Kadhar
- Sian Webber Judge
- Jason Riddington Otto Gerlach
- Gordan Kicic Journalist
More from Daniel Alfredson
More films directed by Daniel Alfredson, best-rated first: The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Kidnapping Mr. Heineken and Intrigo: Dear Agnes.
Intrigo: Death of an Author Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Intrigo: Death of an Author 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in art & craft (35) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).
Intrigo: Death of an Author Echo Score Breakdown
The film struggles to cohere across its intertwined narratives, leading to an uneven viewing experience. While some reviewers noted thoughtful philosophical undertones, most found the pacing slow and the structural dynamics confusing. Performances by Fürmann and Kingsley inject occasional intrigue, but the meta fiction framework diminishes narrative clarity. Overall, the film delivers sporadic interest but falls short of sustained engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
In terms of art and craft, the staging often feels static and uneven, hindering visual momentum. Critics cited stilted blocking and confusing meta layering that undercut the production design’s cohesiveness. A single review praised the cinematography’s polish, but these moments are overshadowed by inconsistent shot composition. Overall, the film’s craftsmanship is sporadically striking yet largely hampered by structural awkwardness.
- Character & Emotion 35
When it comes to character and emotion, interactions frequently lack warmth and depth. Reviews noted that conflicted relationships rarely ignite and the narration remains detached, limiting emotional engagement. A few performances, especially from Kingsley and Fürmann, display calculated tension, yet these moments do not compensate for the overall chilliness. In summary, character work is undermined by stilted chemistry and emotional distance.
- Story & Flow 30
In terms of story and flow, the narrative is prone to convolution and uneven pacing. Critics described the interwoven mysteries as slow-moving and dense, with twists that fail to land and an ending that leaves loose threads. A singular positive mention noted philosophical depth, but the overall structure remains confusing rather than engaging. Ultimately, the plot coherence and narrative drive are compromised by excessive complexity.
- Sensory Experience 35
When considering the sensory experience, the film seldom evokes the visceral style of classic noir. Reviews highlighted muted sound design and an underutilized score, while visual cohesion is disrupted by meta-fictional insertions. Although one user praised the cinematography’s visual appeal, these instances are insufficient to establish a compelling auditory or visual atmosphere. In the end, the sensory impact is underwhelming and uneven.
- Rewatch Factor 25
Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers limited motivation for repeat viewings. The dense meta narrative and unresolved threads diminish the potential for new discoveries on subsequent watches. While a few performances retain curiosity, the overall emotional detachment and structural confusion discourage deeper exploration. Overall, the movie’s lasting appeal is minimal, suggesting low replay value beyond an initial viewing.
-
IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 11% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 48%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
User score 4.8
See on Metacritic -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Cars in Intrigo: Death of an Author
27 cars on screen, including the BMW X1 E84 and the 1965 Ford Mustang.
-
BMW X1 E84 Important role -
1965 Ford Mustang Important role -
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 Important role -
1973 Volkswagen unknown T2 Typ 2 Important role
Seen Intrigo: Death of an Author?
Movies Like Intrigo: Death of an Author
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Intruder, Intruder and Interrabang.
Intrigo: Death of an Author FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Intrigo: Death of an Author, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Intrigo: Death of an Author?
Intrigo: Death of an Author runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
When was Intrigo: Death of an Author released?
Intrigo: Death of an Author was released on January 17, 2020.
Who directed Intrigo: Death of an Author?
Intrigo: Death of an Author was directed by Daniel Alfredson.
More films by Daniel Alfredson Who is in the cast of Intrigo: Death of an Author?
Intrigo: Death of an Author stars Benno Fürmann as David Schwarz, Ben Kingsley as Henderson and Tuva Novotny as Eva Schwarz, among 14 credited actors.
How is Intrigo: Death of an Author rated?
Intrigo: Death of an Author has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 1.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Intrigo: Death of an Author have a post-credit scene?
No. Intrigo: Death of an Author has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
