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Drama thriller

Intrigo: Death of an Author (2020): Cast & Ratings

Intrigo: Death of an Author (2020) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
11%
Echo Score
30
Metascore
45
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Intrigo: Death of an Author (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Daniel Alfredson
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Intrigo: Death of an Author

· 10 more
From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

30 /100

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.

Cars

Cars in Intrigo: Death of an Author

27 cars on screen, including the BMW X1 E84 and the 1965 Ford Mustang.

All 27 cars
  • BMW X1 E84 in Intrigo: Death of an Author BMW X1 E84 Important role
  • 1965 Ford Mustang in Intrigo: Death of an Author 1965 Ford Mustang Important role
  • 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 in Intrigo: Death of an Author 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 Important role
  • 1973 Volkswagen unknown T2 Typ 2 in Intrigo: Death of an Author 1973 Volkswagen unknown T2 Typ 2 Important role

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FAQ

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.

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