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Crime thriller

Limbo (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Limbo (2023) movie poster

Limbo is a 2023 crime thriller directed by Soi Cheang, starring Mason Lee as Will Ren, Ka-Tung Lam and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $262,990 worldwide. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Indie Film at the AACTA Awards 2024. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$263K
award won
1
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Limbo (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Soi Cheang
Genres
Crime , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Limbo About?

The premise of Limbo without spoilers.

A rookie police officer, Will Ren, is partnered with veteran Cham Lau to hunt a dangerous killer whose actions are creating widespread fear. Their investigation leads them into a tense and perilous game of cat and mouse, where the lines between justice and darkness blur. As they pursue the killer, the case becomes increasingly personal, pushing both officers to confront their own limits and question their humanity.

Limbo Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • australian
  • south australia
  • desert noir
  • australia
  • township
  • first nations
  • cold case
  • twenty year time span
  • outback
  • aboriginal culture
  • neo western
  • desert town
+33 more
  • australian desert
  • indigenous australian
  • adelaide australia
  • prejudice
  • racism
  • australian aboriginal
  • australian aborigine
  • indigenous australia
  • aborigine
  • aboriginal
  • detective
  • whodunit
  • injustice
  • desert
  • noir thriller
  • racial
  • whodunnit mystery
  • aboriginal girl
  • outback town
  • central australia
  • unsolved murder
  • murder
  • town
  • country town
  • coober pedy
  • loss
  • mining town
  • twenty years later
  • murder case
  • murder mystery
  • the outback australia
  • outback south australia
  • south australian desert
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Cast & crew

Limbo Cast & Characters

Mason Lee leads the cast as Will Ren, with Ka-Tung Lam as Cham Lau and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi as Akira Yamada. Directed by Soi Cheang; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Limbo

· 4 more
From the director

More from Soi Cheang

More films directed by Soi Cheang, best-rated first: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, SPL 2: A Time for Consequences, Motorway and Accident.

Full filmography
Ratings

Limbo Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Limbo 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Limbo Echo Score Breakdown

Limbo delivers a moody neo‑noir experience that resonates more through its visual and atmospheric qualities than its narrative cohesion. Critics commend the director’s uncompromising tone and the striking black‑and‑white cinematography, while several reviewers note a sluggish pace and unresolved plot threads that diminish engagement. Audience reactions echo this split, with some praising the haunting imagery and performances, and others finding the film tedious. Consequently, the film sits as a competent but uneven entry, appealing chiefly to fans of austere crime dramas.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    Artistic execution stands out as Limbo’s strongest element, driven by striking black‑and‑white photography and meticulous composition. Critics highlight the bleak yet purposeful visual palette that reinforces the film’s desolate setting, and several reviewers applaud the director’s disciplined pacing and atmospheric framing. While a few note occasional static scenes, the overall consensus affirms a high level of craft.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    Character development presents a mixed picture, with moments of nuanced performance amid broader archetypal portrayals. Positive feedback centers on Simon Baker’s compelling turn and occasional depth in supporting roles, while criticism points to a detached detective and underexplored emotional arcs. The net effect is a modestly engaging ensemble that does not consistently sustain audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative suffers from uneven pacing and unresolved threads that hinder its overall momentum. Reviewers commend the film’s noir‑infused premise and occasional original twists, yet many cite predictable beats, anticlimactic resolutions, and a tendency to circle without progression. Consequently, the story feels alluring in parts but ultimately falls short of cohesive storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory components reinforce the film’s oppressive mood through stark sound design and evocative visuals. Critics praise the ambient quietness, the haunting score, and the intentional grain of the monochrome image, which together craft an immersive atmosphere. While a minority find the sonic landscape underutilized, the dominant impression is one of a richly textured sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch potential is limited by the film’s deliberate slowness and unresolved plot elements, which may deter repeat viewings for many. Nevertheless, its striking visual style and thematic depth provide enough intrigue for audiences attuned to atmospheric noir to return. Overall, the film offers modest replay value chiefly for viewers appreciating mood over plot.

Box office

Limbo Box Office

Limbo grossed $262,990 worldwide. $45,272 came from the US and Canada and $217,718 (83%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$263K

US & Canada
$45.3K
International
$217.7K
US & Canada 17% Rest of the world 83%
Awards

Limbo Awards & Nominations

Limbo won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Indie Film at the AACTA Awards 2024.

1 win3 nominations1 ceremony

Cars

Cars in Limbo

5 cars on screen, including the 1968 Dodge Phoenix and the 2010 Holden Commodore VE.

All 5 cars
  • 1968 Dodge Phoenix in Limbo 1968 Dodge Phoenix Main role
  • 2010 Holden Commodore VE in Limbo 2010 Holden Commodore VE Main role
  • Ford F-Series in Limbo Ford F-Series Background role
  • Ford Falco in Limbo Ford Falco Background role
Details

Limbo Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “림보” and “地狱边缘”.

Also known as
  • 림보
  • 地狱边缘
  • Лимб
  • Лімб
  • 地獄邊緣

Seen Limbo?

FAQ

Limbo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Limbo?

Limbo runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was Limbo released?

Limbo was released on September 29, 2023.

Who directed Limbo?

Limbo was directed by Soi Cheang.

More films by Soi Cheang

Who is in the cast of Limbo?

Limbo stars Mason Lee as Will Ren, Ka-Tung Lam as Cham Lau and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi as Akira Yamada, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Limbo make at the box office?

Limbo grossed $262,990 worldwide ($45,272 domestic, $217,718 international).

How is Limbo rated?

Limbo has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

What awards did Limbo win?

Limbo won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Indie Film at the AACTA Awards 2024.

Does Limbo have a post-credit scene?

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

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