Malcolm & Marie (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Malcolm & Marie is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Sam Levinson, starring John David Washington as Malcolm and Zendaya. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and was made on a reported $2.5 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Actress at the Critics' Choice 2021. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 46m (106 min)
- Director
- Sam Levinson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- Budget
- $2.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Malcolm & Marie About?
The premise of Malcolm & Marie without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following a film premiere, a director and his actress girlfriend return to their secluded home, where a tense and introspective evening unfolds. As the celebration subsides, simmering resentments and unspoken truths surface, leading to a series of confrontations. They are forced to examine the foundations of their relationship and the pressures of fame that test their bond.
Malcolm & Marie Themes & Keywords
· 49 tags- minimal cast
- reference to barry jenkins
- reference to william wyler
- references to other movies
- two hander
- reference to spike lee
- filmmaker
- character names in title
- smoking
- movie critic
- macaroni and cheese
- reference to the los angeles times
+37 more Show fewer
- bath
- argument
- drug addict
- couples fight
- insult
- saying thank you
- racism
- male female relationship
- love hate relationship
- love
- anger
- yelling
- making out
- drinking
- fight night
- frustration
- crying
- tear
- drunkenness
- domestic drama
- bathtub
- knife
- bare chested male
- male star appears shirtless
- black man
- black woman
- nipples visible through clothing
- black couple
- young couple
- shot during 2020 quarantine
- 21st century
- 2020s
- woman sits on a toilet
- man kisses a woman's butt
- woman urinates
- female in a bathtub
- woman in a bathtub
Malcolm & Marie Cast & Characters
John David Washington leads the cast as Malcolm, with Zendaya as Marie. Directed by Sam Levinson.
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Director Sam Levinson
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John David Washington as Malcolm -
Zendaya as Marie
More from Sam Levinson
More films directed by Sam Levinson, best-rated first: Assassination Nation and Another Happy Day.
Malcolm & Marie Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Malcolm & Marie 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Malcolm & Marie Echo Score Breakdown
The film delivers a powerful blend of acting and visual craft, though its narrative structure and long-term appeal show notable limitations. Full-bodied performances and striking black-and-white imagery are frequently cited as highlights, while the extended back-and-forth dialogue and repetitive pacing draw criticism for feeling drawn out. Viewers praise the immersive aesthetic and emotional intensity, yet many find the story’s resolution and overall duration diminish its lasting impact. Overall, the movie impresses with style and performance but struggles to sustain engagement throughout.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, the film excels with a meticulous black-and-white presentation and confident directorial choices. Multiple observations highlight the 35mm cinematography’s rich texture and the precise framing that enriches each emotional beat. The production design and editing serve the intimate setting without distraction, creating a cohesive visual language. Altogether, the artistry delivers a polished, atmospheric experience.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character and emotion, the central performances are uniformly praised for their depth and intensity. The actors convey a wide emotional spectrum from tenderness to bitter confrontation, crafting nuanced portrayals that drive the film’s emotional core. Chemistry is frequently noted as authentic even amid sustained tension, underscoring the characters’ complex bond. In sum, character work anchors the film in compelling human dynamics.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, opinions are mixed regarding narrative coherence and pacing. The script’s concept of a single-night argument offers an original framework, but many viewers find the repetition of confrontational exchanges slows overall momentum. Some appreciate the thematic exploration of vulnerability and critique of critical discourse, yet others feel the dialogue-driven structure lacks clear progression. Overall, the storytelling engages through volatility but risks fatigue over its runtime.
- Sensory Experience 85
Regarding sensory experience, the film is consistently recognized for its evocative soundtrack and immersive sound design. The score punctuates emotional peaks effectively, complementing the sharp visual style of high-contrast black-and-white cinematography. Ambient sounds and acoustic details reinforce the sense of confinement and tension within the setting. Altogether, the auditory and visual elements coalesce into an engaging sensory atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 55
In terms of rewatch factor, the movie’s strong performances and striking visuals offer appeal, but its exhaustive confrontational structure may limit repeated enjoyment. Viewers note that the intense emotional swings feel impactful on first viewing yet become predictable on subsequent watches. While some appreciate revisiting the actors’ nuanced interactions, many suggest that trimming the runtime could enhance its lasting appeal. Overall, it retains moderate replay value.
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IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 57% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 67%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 53 Metascore
User score 5.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
1.2K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Malcolm & Marie Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Malcolm & Marie from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Writer-director Malcolm Elliott returns home after his film’s premiere, eagerly awaiting audience feedback alongside his girlfriend, Marie Jones. However, he quickly senses that something is off when he notices Marie’s displeasure. Despite her hesitation to stir up conflict in the middle of the night, she eventually voices her upset over not being acknowledged in his acceptance speech during the premiere. Marie feels that she is the inspiration for Imani, the protagonist in his film, who represents a struggling black female drug addict—a reflection of her own past struggles with addiction when they first met.
Full summary
The whole story of Malcolm & Marie, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Malcolm & Marie Awards & Nominations
Malcolm & Marie earned 1 award nomination, including Best Actress at the Critics' Choice 2021.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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Critics' Choice 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actress – Zendaya
Malcolm & Marie Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 4 featurettes.
- Clip Zendaya & John David Washington Argue Over His True Inspiration
- Clip The Most Powerful Lines in Malcolm & Marie
- Clip I've Never Been Clean
- Featurette The Malcolm & Marie Scene That Makes Us Love John David Washington Even More
How Well Do You Know Malcolm & Marie?
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
What is Malcolm's profession?
Malcolm & Marie Also Known As
24 alternative titles, including “Малкольм та Марі” and “Малькольм и Мари”.
- Also known as
-
- Малкольм та Марі
- Малькольм и Мари
- Malcom and Marie
- マルコム&マリー
- Malkolm va Mari
- Malcolm và Marie
- Малкольм и Мари
- 맬컴과 마리
- Малкольм і Марі
- Malcolm ve Marie
- Malcolm a Marie
- Malcolm és Marie
+12 more Show fewer
- 马尔科姆与玛丽
- 首映夜
- Malcolm i Marie
- מלקולם ומארי
- Malcolm y Marie
- مالکوم و ماری
- มัลคอล์ม แอนด์ มารี
- مالكوم وماري
- 電影試愛
- 马尔科姆和玛丽
- Malcolm et Marie
- Malcolm și Marie
Seen Malcolm & Marie?
Movies Like Malcolm & Marie
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Marie from the Bay of Angels, Marvin's Room and Marie of the Port.
Malcolm & Marie FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Malcolm & Marie, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Malcolm & Marie?
Malcolm & Marie runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).
When was Malcolm & Marie released?
Malcolm & Marie was released on February 5, 2021.
Who directed Malcolm & Marie?
Malcolm & Marie was directed by Sam Levinson.
More films by Sam Levinson Who is in the cast of Malcolm & Marie?
Malcolm & Marie stars John David Washington as Malcolm and Zendaya as Marie.
What was the budget of Malcolm & Marie?
Malcolm & Marie had a reported budget of $2.5 million.
How is Malcolm & Marie rated?
Malcolm & Marie has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Was Malcolm & Marie nominated for any awards?
Malcolm & Marie received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Malcolm & Marie have a post-credit scene?
No. Malcolm & Marie has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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