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Comedy drama

It Must Be Heaven (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

It Must Be Heaven (2019) movie poster

It Must Be Heaven is a 2019 comedy drama starring Elia Suleiman as E.S., Stephen McHattie and Gael García Bernal. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 78/100.

worldwide gross
$2.2M
Echo Score
78
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It Must Be Heaven (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is It Must Be Heaven About?

The premise of It Must Be Heaven without spoilers.

Filmmaker Elia Suleiman travels to different cities and finds unexpected parallels to his homeland of Palestine.

It Must Be Heaven Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • nazareth israel
  • 2010s
  • palestinian
  • palestine
  • palestinian identity
  • israel palestinian
  • bishop
  • religious procession
  • lemon tree
  • israel
  • silent protagonist
  • man urinating
+38 more
  • hunter
  • intrusive neighbor
  • neighbor neighbor relationship
  • contemplative
  • airplane trip
  • flight turbulance
  • drinking wine
  • christian arab
  • cafe terrace
  • paris france
  • new york city
  • short skirt
  • running from police
  • deserted city
  • desert street
  • homeless man
  • emergency care
  • bastille day
  • military parade
  • louvre museum paris
  • paris metro
  • subway
  • street sweeper
  • film producer
  • unicycle
  • actor playing himself
  • directed by star
  • palais royal
  • fashion house
  • taxi driver
  • armed woman
  • femen
  • nude protest
  • angel wings
  • halloween costume
  • title appears in writing
  • tarot reading
  • filmmaker
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Cast & crew

It Must Be Heaven Cast & Characters

Elia Suleiman leads the cast as E.S., with Stephen McHattie as Tarot Reader and Gael García Bernal as Gael García Bernal.

Also Starring in It Must Be Heaven

· 26 more
Show all 30 cast members
Ratings

It Must Be Heaven Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

It Must Be Heaven Echo Score Breakdown

The film presents a thoughtful, politically nuanced comedy that resonates more with viewers attuned to its subtle satire. Critics highlight the film’s inventive visual moments and its ability to linger after the credits, while user reactions vary from enthusiastic praise of its quirky charm to criticism of its episodic nature. The overall impression is that the work succeeds in delivering a distinctive voice, though its pacing and accessibility may limit broader appeal. Consequently, the movie earns a solid yet measured rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    The visual craftsmanship is consistently praised, with critics noting memorable surreal shots and engaging depictions of Paris and New York. The cinematography is described as entertaining and well‑budgeted, contributing to an overall polished aesthetic. Some reviewers mention occasional lapses in focus, but these do not outweigh the positive visual impression. The film’s artful execution thereby scores strongly.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Performance and character expression receive favorable comments, especially regarding Suleiman’s understated, passive observer role. Critics commend his nuanced delivery and the film’s ability to convey cultural commentary through restrained acting. User feedback similarly acknowledges the director’s dual role as lead and writer, indicating competence. While no reviewer claims exceptional depth, the consistent appreciation of the central performance yields a solid character rating.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Narrative originality is highlighted through the film’s absurdist, episodic structure and its political satire. Critics appreciate the witty exploration of identity, yet some note a lack of focus and uneven pacing. User responses reflect both enjoyment of quirky scenarios and frustration with extended sight‑gag sequences. The mixed observations result in a moderate story score, acknowledging creativity while recognizing structural shortcomings.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory elements, particularly visual style, are repeatedly praised for their striking composition and effective use of scenery. Reviewers describe the film as visually appealing and note its impactful surreal moments. Sound design receives fewer mentions, but no negative feedback emerges. Overall, the sensory experience is perceived as cohesive and compelling, supporting a high, though not maximal, sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is discussed with some optimism, as critics suggest the film’s subtle humor and lingering themes invite repeat viewings. Users echo this sentiment, describing the movie as enjoyable and smile‑inducing. However, criticism regarding repetitive sight‑gags and forgettable segments tempers enthusiasm. The balance of positive and cautious viewpoints leads to a respectable rewatch factor, indicating that while repeat engagement is possible, it may appeal mainly to dedicated audiences.

Box office

It Must Be Heaven Box Office

It Must Be Heaven grossed $2.2 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.2M

International
$2.2M
Videos

It Must Be Heaven Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette IT MUST BE HEAVEN Director Q&A | TIFF 2019
Details

It Must Be Heaven Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Vom Gießen des Zitronenbaums” and “머스트 비 헤븐”.

Also known as
  • Vom Gießen des Zitronenbaums
  • 머스트 비 헤븐
  • 導演先生的完美假期
  • O Paraíso Deve Ser Aqui
  • O Paraíso
  • Provavelmente
  • De Repente, el Paraíso
  • Должно быть, это рай
  • 天国にちがいない
  • Ο Παράδεισος έπεσε στη Γη
  • A mennyországnak kell lennie
  • Il Paradiso Probabilmente
+14 more
  • Burası Cennet Olmalı
  • Мабуть, це рай
  • C'est ça le paradis?
  • إن شئت كما في السماء
  • ان شئت كما فى السماء
  • بهشت حتماً همین است
  • 여기가 천국
  • To musí být nebe
  • To musí byť nebo
  • Tam gdzieś musi być niebo
  • То мора бити рај
  • 必是天堂
  • C'est ça le paradis ?
  • To morajo biti nebesa

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FAQ

It Must Be Heaven FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of It Must Be Heaven, each answered in a sentence.

How long is It Must Be Heaven?

It Must Be Heaven runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was It Must Be Heaven released?

It Must Be Heaven was released on May 24, 2019.

Who is in the cast of It Must Be Heaven?

It Must Be Heaven stars Elia Suleiman as E.S., Stephen McHattie as Tarot Reader and Gael García Bernal as Gael García Bernal, among 30 credited actors.

How much did It Must Be Heaven make at the box office?

It Must Be Heaven grossed $2.2 million worldwide.

Does It Must Be Heaven have a post-credit scene?

No. It Must Be Heaven has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is It Must Be Heaven in?

The original language of It Must Be Heaven is French.

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