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Joyland (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Joyland (2023) movie poster

Joyland is a 2023 drama directed by Saim Sadiq, starring Ali Junejo as Haider, Alina Khan and Rasti Farooq. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2023. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
award won
1
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Joyland (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 6m (126 min)
Director
Saim Sadiq
Genre
Drama
Original language
Urdu
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Joyland About?

The premise of Joyland without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Haider, a man seeking escape from a monotonous existence, finds an unexpected opportunity in the world of burlesque. Embracing this new path, he develops a deep connection with Biba, a courageous trans woman, as they both challenge restrictive societal expectations. Through their relationship, Haider confronts his own identity and finds liberation, ultimately discovering a profound sense of self-acceptance and a vibrant new life.

Joyland Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • transgender woman
  • transgender
  • family relationships
  • suicide
  • pakistan
  • lgbtq
  • husband wife relationship
  • transgender character
  • pregnant wife
  • family pressure
  • brother brother relationship
  • gay slur
+29 more
  • love
  • patriarchal family
  • transgender protagonist
  • flashback
  • bisexual man
  • erotic dance
  • erotic dancer
  • burlesque
  • impossible love
  • culture clash
  • father son relationship
  • dance theater
  • bisexual
  • gay interest
  • suicide of pregnant woman
  • transgender discrimination
  • transgender interest
  • transphobia
  • woman
  • son
  • job
  • one word title
  • dancing
  • dancer
  • female dancer
  • power outage
  • show
  • death
  • erotic theater
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Cast & crew

Joyland Cast & Characters

Ali Junejo leads the cast as Haider, with Alina Khan as Biba and Rasti Farooq as Mumtaz. Directed by Saim Sadiq; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Joyland

· 7 more
From the director

More from Saim Sadiq

One more film directed by Saim Sadiq: Nice Talking to You.

Full filmography
Ratings

Joyland Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Joyland 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in rewatch factor (88) and weakest in story & flow (66).

80 /100

Joyland Echo Score Breakdown

Joyland presents a nuanced, socially resonant drama that is anchored by confident direction and striking visual composition. Critics commend its layered narrative structure and the way it foregrounds marginalized voices, while several viewers note occasional pacing lulls and a conclusion that leans on familiar beats. The film’s sensory richness and authentic performances encourage repeated viewings, leaving a lasting impression despite some structural unevenness.

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

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, the film is distinguished by its meticulous direction and compelling visual language. Critics highlight the novelistic narrative approach and a visually arresting style that underscores the story’s emotional stakes. Viewers echo this praise, noting the beautiful cinematography and thoughtful production design, though a few mention moments where the editing feels tentative.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, Joyland delivers nuanced performances that ground its thematic ambitions. Reviewers describe the cast as complex and alive, with particular attention to the interior lives of the protagonists. Audience feedback frequently praises the authenticity of the portrayals, though a minority feel certain character arcs lack sufficient development.

  • Story & Flow 66

    The story and flow combine intersecting narratives that aim for both intimacy and political commentary. Critics acknowledge the film’s ambition and its measured pacing, yet some point to an exasperating level of introspection and a conclusion that feels familiar. User commentary similarly notes moments where narrative cohesion wavers, resulting in a mixed overall assessment of the plot structure.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    Sensory experience is a clear strength, with a soundtrack and visual palette that reinforce the film’s emotional texture. Reviewers describe the cinematography as striking and the sound design as immersive, creating a sensory surprise that enhances narrative impact. Audience responses largely mirror this sentiment, highlighting the film’s atmospheric depth and its ability to engage viewers on multiple sensory levels.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    Rewatch factor is high, as the film offers layered meanings that unfold with subsequent viewings. Critics and users alike note that each watch reveals new nuances in character motivation and social critique, making the experience rewarding over time. The film’s lingering resonance and the evolving interpretation of its themes contribute to a strong desire to revisit the work.

Plot

Joyland Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Joyland from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In inner-city Lahore, Amanullah is the elder patriarch of the middle-class Rana family, watching as his younger son, Haider, remains unemployed while his wife, Mumtaz, works as an aesthetician at a local salon. When Haider secures a strange opportunity, Qaiser helps him land a job as a backup dancer at an erotic dance theater, where he is slated to perform alongside Biba, a celebrated hijra performer. Haider had once seen a bloodied [Biba] at a hospital, a memory tied to the day his sister-in-law, Nucchi, was giving birth to a fourth daughter. Driven by a longing for a grandson, Amanullah urges [Mumtaz] to quit her job, a demand that unsettles her deeply.

Full summary

The whole story of Joyland, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Joyland Box Office

Joyland grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $306,500 came from the US and Canada and $857,851 (74%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$306.5K
International
$857.9K
US & Canada 26% Rest of the world 74%
Awards

Joyland Awards & Nominations

Joyland won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2023.

1 win1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Joyland Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 4 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Teaser Official UK Teaser Trailer
  • Featurette JOYLAND Q&A with Siam Sadiq at TIFF 2022
  • Featurette JOYLAND wins BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Joyland?

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

Who is the elder patriarch of the Rana family?

Details

Joyland Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “조이랜드” and “愛情美樂地”.

Also known as
  • 조이랜드
  • 愛情美樂地
  • Джойленд
  • Joyland: La tierra de los sueños
  • Страна радости
  • 乐土
  • กรงขังในแดนสุข

Seen Joyland?

FAQ

Joyland FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Joyland, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Joyland?

Joyland runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).

When was Joyland released?

Joyland was released on April 7, 2023.

Who directed Joyland?

Joyland was directed by Saim Sadiq.

More films by Saim Sadiq

Who is in the cast of Joyland?

Joyland stars Ali Junejo as Haider, Alina Khan as Biba and Rasti Farooq as Mumtaz, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Joyland make at the box office?

Joyland grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($306,500 domestic, $857,851 international).

How is Joyland rated?

Joyland has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

What awards did Joyland win?

Joyland won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Best International Film at the Spirit Awards 2023.

Does Joyland have a post-credit scene?

No. Joyland has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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