Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

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

Jules (2023) movie poster

Jules is a 2023 drama directed by Marc Turtletaub, starring Jade Quon as Jules, Ben Kingsley and Harriet Sansom Harris. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
worldwide gross
$2.3M
award nominations
4
Loading streaming availability…
Jules (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Marc Turtletaub
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Jules About?

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

A quiet life is disrupted when a UFO crashes in the backyard of townsperson Milton, introducing him to an extraterrestrial visitor called Jules. As an unlikely friendship develops, the neighbors discover the visitor, triggering government intervention and unexpected chaos. The experience prompts a touching exploration of connection and understanding when confronted with the unknown.

Jules Themes & Keywords

· 42 tags
  • lesbian daughter
  • non verbal character
  • alien
  • apple
  • aging
  • 911 call
  • dead cat
  • male protagonist
  • old woman
  • 78 year old man
  • 72 year old woman
  • starship
+30 more
  • male female relationship
  • friendship between man and woman
  • water
  • mental test
  • father daughter relationship
  • woman drives a car
  • friendship
  • alien human friendship
  • human alien relationship
  • cat
  • supermarket
  • male female friendship
  • superpower
  • good alien
  • 72 year old
  • character name as title
  • city council meeting
  • doctor's visit
  • crashed spaceship
  • pennsylvania
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
  • one word title
  • old man as protagonist
  • protective daughter
  • murder attempt
  • government
  • singing
  • reference to pickleball
  • producer director
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Jules Cast & Characters

Jade Quon leads the cast as Jules, with Ben Kingsley as Milton and Harriet Sansom Harris as Sandy. Directed by Marc Turtletaub; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Jules

· 6 more
From the director

More from Marc Turtletaub

More films directed by Marc Turtletaub, best-rated first: Puzzle and Gods Behaving Badly.

Full filmography
Ratings

Jules Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Jules 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).

66 /100

Jules Echo Score Breakdown

Jules presents a gentle, indie‑style sci‑fi dramedy that leans heavily on themes of aging and companionship. Critics highlight Ben Kingsley’s nuanced performance and a warm ensemble, while noting an unfocused narrative and occasional pacing lulls. The film’s modest production values support its heartfelt intent, though its charm may not sustain all viewers. Overall, the movie offers a pleasant, if uneven, viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and craft, Jules adopts a restrained indie aesthetic with scrupulous editing and an understated visual palette. Critics commend the gentle pacing and competent production design, yet some note a superficial handling that feels dated and occasionally unfocused. The overall craftsmanship is solid but lacks distinctive flair, resulting in a modest technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When evaluating character work, the film benefits from Ben Kingsley’s layered performance and a seasoned supporting cast that injects warmth and authenticity. Reviewers appreciate the emotional resonance and chemistry among the seniors, though a few point to under‑developed backstories and an alien that feels too human. Overall, character portrayals are a strong point, delivering genuine empathy.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, Jules offers a novel premise of an extraterrestrial visiting a senior community, exploring loneliness and connection. The narrative’s gentle rhythm and occasional humor are praised, yet criticism centers on uneven pacing, a garbled ending, and unresolved subplots that dilute focus. Consequently, the plot feels heartfelt but intermittently scattered.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The sensory experience is anchored by an amiably jovial musical score and modest sound design that complement the film’s subdued tone. Critics note the pleasant soundtrack and adequate visual style, while some find the cinematography overly functional and lacking visual inventiveness. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative without standing out prominently.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    The film’s rewatch factor rests on its gentle humor and heartfelt moments, which can appeal to audiences across generations. Viewers highlight the endearing ensemble and the film’s capacity to provoke reflection on aging, though the slow pacing and limited sci‑fi intrigue may reduce repeat viewings for some. Overall, it offers modest replay value.

Plot

Jules Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Jules 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 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Milton Robinson, a 79-year-old widower living alone, frequently attends city council meetings and leans on his daughter for help. His life takes a sudden turn when a spaceship crash-lands in his flower garden, revealing a blue humanoid alien. Desperate for assistance, Milton attempts to contact the police and his daughter, but they dismiss his claims as signs of his senility. Undeterred, Milton welcomes the alien as a houseguest, soon discovering its peculiar diet: it only consumes apples.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Jules Box Office

Jules grossed $2.3 million worldwide. $1.9 million came from the US and Canada and $391,272 (17%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.3M

US & Canada
$1.9M
International
$391.3K
US & Canada 83% Rest of the world 17%
Awards

Jules Awards & Nominations

Jules earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Saturn Awards 2024.

4 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Jules Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers and 3 clips.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Teaser :30 Cutdown
  • Teaser :15 Cutdown
  • Clip House Tour
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Jules?

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 is the name of the retired individual portrayed by Ben Kingsley?

Cars

Cars in Jules

3 cars on screen, including the 2003 Toyota Corolla and the 2008 Nissan Rogue.

  • 2003 Toyota Corolla in Jules 2003 Toyota Corolla Main role
  • 2008 Nissan Rogue in Jules 2008 Nissan Rogue Important role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Jules 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
Details

Jules Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “جولز” and “Nuestro amigo extraordinario”.

Also known as
  • جولز
  • Nuestro amigo extraordinario
  • Джулс
  • UFO a kertemben
  • Джулс: Филмът
  • Nosso Amigo Extraordinário
  • 小镇幽浮
  • 朱爾斯
  • Џул
  • ג'ולס
  • Puiki vieta vadinti namais
  • A Great Place to Call Home
+2 more
  • จูลส์ สหายรักต่างดาว
  • 줄스

Seen Jules?

FAQ

Jules FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Jules?

Jules runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Jules released?

Jules was released on August 11, 2023.

Who directed Jules?

Jules was directed by Marc Turtletaub.

More films by Marc Turtletaub

Who is in the cast of Jules?

Jules stars Jade Quon as Jules, Ben Kingsley as Milton and Harriet Sansom Harris as Sandy, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Jules make at the box office?

Jules grossed $2.3 million worldwide ($1.9 million domestic, $391,272 international).

How is Jules rated?

Jules has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Jules nominated for any awards?

Jules received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Jules have a post-credit scene?

No. Jules 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