Lee (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Lee is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Ellen Kuras, starring Kate Winslet as Lee Miller, Alexander Skarsgård and Josh O'Connor. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $24.7 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Feature Studio or Independent – Drama at the Artios Awards 2025. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 57m (117 min)
- Director
- Ellen Kuras
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 55 Films
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Lee About?
The premise of Lee without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
This biographical drama explores the remarkable life of Lee Miller, a pioneering war correspondent and photographer. She fearlessly documented pivotal events of World War II, from the battlefields to the interiors of Nazi Germany, creating iconic and impactful imagery. The film showcases her unwavering spirit and artistic vision as she captured the human cost of conflict.
Lee Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- photographer
- world war two
- female nudity
- female topless nudity
- title directed by female
- ex model
- nazi concentration camp
- war photographer
- vogue magazine
- nudity
- based on book
- based on true story
+38 more Show fewer
- surprise ending
- female star appears nude
- based on real people
- camera
- year 1942
- female protagonist
- year 1944
- year 1977
- year 1941
- year 1945
- told in flashback
- adolf hitler's residence
- 1930s
- nazi occupation of paris
- love affair
- female war photographer
- based on real person
- female in a bathtub
- reference to adolf hitler
- bathroom
- woman in a bathtub
- taking a photograph
- character name as title
- 1940s
- 20th century
- photojournalism
- journalist
- military
- soldier
- career
- american in england
- american in germany
- american in france
- singing in a car
- american abroad
- mother son relationship
- docudrama drama
- epic drama
Lee Cast & Characters
Kate Winslet leads the cast as Lee Miller, with Alexander Skarsgård as Roland Penrose and Josh O'Connor as Young Man, Antony Penrose. Directed by Ellen Kuras; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director Ellen Kuras
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Kate Winslet as Lee Miller -
Alexander Skarsgård as Roland Penrose -
Josh O'Connor as Young Man, Antony Penrose -
Andy Samberg as Davy Scherman
Also Starring in Lee
· 16 more- Marion Cotillard Solange D'Ayen
- Patrick Mille Jean D'Ayen
- Andrea Riseborough Audrey Withers
- James Murray Colonel Spencer
- Noémie Merlant Nusch Eluard
- Zita Hanrot Ady Fidelin
- Vincent Colombe Paul Eluard
- Arinzé Kene Major Jonesy
- Harriet Leitch Ann Douglas
- Enrique Arce Pablo Picasso
- Samuel Barnett Cecil Beaton
- Sean Duggan Man Ray
- Adam Boncz
- Camilla Aiko Maud
- Katalin Ruzsik
- Toni Gojanovic
More from Ellen Kuras
One more film directed by Ellen Kuras: The Betrayal - Nerakhoon.
Lee Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lee 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Lee Echo Score Breakdown
Lee exhibits a pronounced strength in its visual and performative elements, even as its narrative structure remains uneven. The direction employs measured framing and editing choices that underscore the film’s thematic focus, while production design authentically recreates both the fashion milieu and wartime settings. The ensemble’s nuanced performances further elevate key moments. Although pacing fluctuations and episodic transitions sometimes disrupt narrative cohesion, the film’s blend of visual craftsmanship and compelling portrayal leaves a generally favorable impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
Art and craft in Lee are delivered with polished professionalism and visual coherence. In terms of cinematography, the film employs striking compositions and an understated color palette to delineate contrasting milieus of fashion and frontline reportage. Production design and editing choices further reinforce period authenticity and thematic clarity. The overall art and craft establish a consistently immersive visual experience.
- Character & Emotion 75
In terms of character and emotion, Lee benefits from Kate Winslet’s nuanced portrayal, which imbues the protagonist with resolute determination and vulnerability. However, the film’s episodic structure limits deeper exploration of supporting characters and curtails emotional resonance at key turning points. The chemistry among the ensemble offers occasional insight into Lee Miller’s relationships, though some portrayals remain underdeveloped. Overall, the character dimension yields a strong central performance but uneven depth.
- Story & Flow 60
When it comes to story and flow, Lee presents a series of engaging wartime episodes framed as an episodic journey through the protagonist’s life. While certain segments deliver impactful dramatic moments, the film’s attempt to compress extensive biographical material results in pacing inconsistencies and occasional narrative fragmentation. Consequently, the plot structure alternates between compelling and disjointed sequences, producing a mixed level of engagement overall.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s visual style is consistently striking, combining detailed costume and set design with dynamic camera movement to evoke both glamour and conflict. The restrained score and sound design provide appropriate atmosphere without drawing undue attention. Sound mixing maintains clarity across varied environments, supporting immersion. Together, these elements yield a cohesive sensory presentation.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Regarding rewatch factor, Lee offers memorable visual compositions and a standout lead performance that invite subsequent viewings. However, the narrative’s episodic format and occasional reliance on biopic conventions may lessen lasting appeal for some viewers. While certain sequences retain their emotional power, others feel familiar on repeat, resulting in a moderately rewarding rewatch experience.
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IMDb 6.9 /10
35041 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Lee Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Lee 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
Lee Miller, a former fashion model turned photographer, shares her life story during an interview in 1977, using vivid flashbacks that draw the audience into her past. Her journey begins in 1937, when she meets and falls in love with Roland Penrose while indulging in a bohemian lifestyle across Europe. The couple eventually moves to London, where Lee takes on a role at Vogue magazine during the tumult of World War II. She captures the resilience of Britons living through the Blitz, yet her ability to document the war is stifled due to the restrictions placed on women in combat zones.
Full summary
The whole story of Lee, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Lee Box Office
Lee grossed $24.7 million worldwide. $2 million came from the US and Canada and $22.7 million (92%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$24.7M
- US & Canada
- $2M
- International
- $22.7M
Lee Awards & Nominations
Lee earned 4 award nominations, including Feature Studio or Independent – Drama at the Artios Awards 2025. The 4 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.
4 nominations4 ceremonies
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Artios Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Studio or Independent – Drama
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NAACP Image Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding British Film
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BAFTA 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding British Film
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Golden Globes 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Kate Winslet
Lee Trailers & Videos
15 videos: 2 trailers, 5 teasers and 8 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
- Teaser Official Digital 30 Spot: Truth
- Teaser Official Digital 15 Spot: Truth
How Well Do You Know Lee?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year does Lee Miller recount her experiences during the interview?
Cars in Lee
15 cars on screen, including the 1942 Willys MB 'Jeep' and the 1939 Austin 12/4 Taxi.
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1942 Willys MB 'Jeep' Important role -
1939 Austin 12/4 Taxi Minor role -
1954 Austin FX3 Taxi Minor role -
Citroën unknown Minor role
Lee Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Lee Miller” and “لی”.
- Also known as
-
- Lee Miller
- لی
- Великая
- לי
- Die Fotografin
- Lee. Na własne oczy
- Lee Miller: Na Linha da Frente
- Лі
- 李·米勒
- Lee Miller: Retratos de Guerra
- Lī
- 리 밀러: 카메라를 든 여자
+7 more Show fewer
- Lee: Fotografka v první linii, ლიი
- מבעד לעדשה
- 李
- Lee - Die Fotografin
- 她眼中的世界
- Tiesos kadras
- Fotogrāfe
Seen Lee?
Movies Like Lee
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including War Story, Luise and A Private War.
Articles About Lee
2 articles about Lee. The latest: “2025 Golden Globe Nominations: Surprises, Snubs, and the Next Big Oscar Clues”.
Lee FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Lee, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lee?
Lee runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
When was Lee released?
Lee was released on September 27, 2024.
Who directed Lee?
Lee was directed by Ellen Kuras.
More films by Ellen Kuras Who is in the cast of Lee?
Lee stars Kate Winslet as Lee Miller, Alexander Skarsgård as Roland Penrose and Josh O'Connor as Young Man, Antony Penrose, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Lee make at the box office?
Lee grossed $24.7 million worldwide ($2 million domestic, $22.7 million international).
How is Lee rated?
Lee has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 62 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Was Lee nominated for any awards?
Lee received 4 nominations across 4 ceremonies.
Does Lee have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Lee has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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