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Loveless (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Loveless (2017) movie poster

Loveless is a 2017 drama directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev, starring Matvey Novikov as Alyosha, Aleksey Rozin and Maryana Spivak. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $3.9 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$3.9M
award nominations
4
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Loveless (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 7m (127 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Russian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Loveless About?

The premise of Loveless without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A couple's acrimonious divorce deeply affects their 12-year-old son, Alyosha, who finds himself caught in the crossfire of their escalating conflict. As Zhenya and Boris struggle to move on with new relationships, Alyosha grapples with feelings of abandonment and a longing for the family he once knew. The drama explores the devastating consequences of parental separation and the emotional toll it takes on a child.

Loveless Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • divorce
  • sex scene
  • missing boy
  • disappearance of a child
  • search party
  • moscow russia
  • broken family
  • male nudity
  • female nudity
  • year 2012
  • pregnant woman
  • abandoned building
+38 more
  • dysfunctional family
  • loveless marriage
  • body identification
  • volunteer organization
  • sex with a pregnant woman
  • reference to ukraine
  • high rise
  • female topless nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • anger
  • quarrel between married couple
  • tv news
  • russia
  • morgue
  • mother searches for missing son
  • missing son
  • dispute
  • husband wife relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • one word title
  • marriage as hell
  • male rear nudity
  • crying man
  • crying boy
  • sorrow
  • salon
  • argument
  • 2010s
  • unwanted child
  • rejected son
  • rejected by mother
  • beauty salon
  • selfish woman
  • selfishness
  • community volunteer
  • volunteer work
  • instagram
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Cast & crew

Loveless Cast & Characters

Matvey Novikov leads the cast as Alyosha, with Aleksey Rozin as Boris and Maryana Spivak as Zhenya. Directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Andrei Zvyagintsev

More films directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev, best-rated first: The Return, Leviathan, Elena and The Banishment.

Full filmography
Ratings

Loveless Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Loveless 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

77 /100

Loveless Echo Score Breakdown

Loveless distinguishes itself through its purposeful visual and emotional depth but is tempered by its deliberate pacing. Critics widely commend the film’s tragic, hopeless mood and masterful cinematography, while viewers note the slow build-up and extended lingering shots may test patience. The narrative unfolds with measured intensity, inviting reflection on familial dysfunction and moral decay. Although its heavy tone and lengthy runtime limit universal appeal, it delivers a potent, haunting experience that rewards attentive viewing.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, Loveless excels in its cinematography and visual composition. Reviewers consistently highlight Mikhail Krichman’s unerring camera work and Zvyagintsev’s exacting shot design, crafting a tragic, moody atmosphere. At times, the extended, lingering takes slow momentum and test audience patience. Overall, the film’s artful framing and controlled visual rhythm reinforce its emotional resonance and thematic depth.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, Loveless offers compelling, nuanced performances that capture familial strain. Critics affirm the three leads deliver subtly wrenching work reminiscent of psychological dramas, and viewers praise the depth of neglect and hostility depicted. Some feel secondary figures verge on caricature, but the central portrayals sustain emotional weight. Ultimately, the acting grounds the film’s bleak narrative with genuine human tension.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, Loveless unfolds with measured deliberation that emphasizes thematic depth over urgency. Critics note the first hour advances slowly, building tone through lingering scenes, and some viewers report the pacing can test engagement. The mystery of the missing child and moral fable structure maintain interest despite occasional narrative lulls. Overall, the plot demonstrates coherent progression but demands patience from the audience.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When evaluating the sensory experience, Loveless presents a cohesive visual style and restrained sound design that enhance its bleak atmosphere. Critics praise the understated color palette and haunting soundscape, while viewers note the dim lighting and minimal score amplify emotional unease. Though not ostentatious, the film’s audio‐visual cohesion deepens immersion in its tragic world. In sum, the sensory elements work together to reinforce the narrative’s somber tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, Loveless leaves a strong thematic imprint but offers limited comfort for repeat viewing. Viewers and critics acknowledge the film’s lingering questions and moral complexity invite reflection, yet its relentless bleakness and slow pace deter casual revisits. The emotional weight and heavy atmosphere may constrain accessibility on subsequent viewings. Overall, the film achieves lasting resonance but is best suited for deliberate, rather than frequent, rewatching.

Plot

Loveless Plot Summary

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

Spoilers ahead

Whether it serves as an allegory for contemporary Russia or not, Loveless, directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev (“Leviathan”), powerfully delves into the increasingly hollow nature of human connections. This poignant drama chronicles the turmoil of a couple on the verge of divorce, whose emotional neglect of their son leads to heartbreaking outcomes. While the film is often labeled as “bleak,” it resonates more with a sense of sorrow and regret, reflecting how many individuals have tragically lost their capacity for compassion and empathy. Accompanied by the evocative piano score of Evgeny Galperin, the film opens with cinematographer Mikhail Krichman capturing the serene yet cold beauty of a Russian winter.

Full summary

The whole story of Loveless, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Loveless Box Office

Loveless grossed $3.9 million worldwide. $566,356 came from the US and Canada and $3.4 million (86%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.9M

US & Canada
$566.4K
International
$3.4M
US & Canada 14% Rest of the world 86%
Awards

Loveless Awards & Nominations

Loveless was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 4 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Loveless Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.

Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Featurette In conversation with... Loveless director Andrey Zvyagintsev
  • Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Loveless (2017) | BFI Player
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Loveless?

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 main theme of 'Loveless'?

Details

Loveless Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Nelyubov” and “Choris Agapi”.

Also known as
  • Nelyubov
  • Choris Agapi
  • 当爱不见了
  • 双亲不相爱
  • Ahava kha'sera
  • Saknaden
  • Faute d'amour
  • 러브리스
  • Sin amor
  • Sevgisiz
  • Нелюбов
  • 无爱可诉
+19 more
  • Χωρίς Αγάπη
  • Szeretet nélkül
  • Nemilovaní
  • Niemiłość
  • Sem Amor
  • אהבה חסרה
  • Bez ljubavi
  • Rakkautta vailla
  • Nemeilė
  • 當愛不見了
  • Savnet
  • Bez lásky
  • Brez ljubezni
  • Loveless - Sem Amor
  • Fără iubire
  • 雙親不相愛
  • ラブレス
  • بی‌عشق
  • Sense amor

Seen Loveless?

FAQ

Loveless FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Loveless?

Loveless runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).

When was Loveless released?

Loveless was released on December 1, 2017.

Who directed Loveless?

Loveless was directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev.

More films by Andrei Zvyagintsev

Who is in the cast of Loveless?

Loveless stars Matvey Novikov as Alyosha, Aleksey Rozin as Boris and Maryana Spivak as Zhenya, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Loveless make at the box office?

Loveless grossed $3.9 million worldwide ($566,356 domestic, $3.4 million international).

How is Loveless rated?

Loveless has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was Loveless nominated for any awards?

Loveless received 4 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Loveless have a post-credit scene?

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

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