Mandy (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Mandy is a 2018 action thriller directed by Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos, starring Andrea Riseborough as Mandy Bloom, Nicolas Cage and Linus Roache. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $1.8 million worldwide on a $6 million budget. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Independent Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 1m (121 min)
- Directors
- Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- RLJE Films
- Budget
- $6M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Mandy About?
The premise of Mandy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1983, in the remote Pacific Northwest, a peaceful existence is violently disrupted when a twisted cult leader and his followers attack the home of Red Miller and Mandy Bloom. Driven by a desire for vengeance, Red sets out on a harrowing and surreal journey to confront those responsible for shattering his world. His quest is fueled by rage and descends into a bloody rampage against the cult and its members.
Mandy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cult
- surrealism
- revenge
- cult leader
- drug trip
- chainsaw fight
- biker gang
- psychedelic experience
- year 1983
- brutal violence
- burned alive
- biker
+38 more Show fewer
- demonic gang
- sadism
- crossbow
- hallucination
- bound and gagged
- lumberjack
- cabin in the woods
- chainsaw
- covered in blood
- reference to black sabbath
- kidnapping
- russian roulette
- barbed wire
- drug lab
- head crushing
- grief
- religious sect
- failed musician
- man on fire
- beheading
- torture
- handcuffed to a pipe
- screaming in pain
- tied to a pipe
- seeing girlfriend burned alive
- bound with barbed wire
- impaled through the mouth
- battle axe thrown into a man's skull
- rage
- male full frontal nudity
- penis
- male nudity
- fantasy novel
- couple
- humiliation
- agony
- brutality
- reading
Mandy Cast & Characters
Andrea Riseborough leads the cast as Mandy Bloom, with Nicolas Cage as Red Miller and Linus Roache as Jeremiah Sand. Directed by Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Chris 'Casper' Kelly
- Co-director Panos Cosmatos
-
Andrea Riseborough as Mandy Bloom -
Nicolas Cage as Red Miller -
Linus Roache as Jeremiah Sand -
Ned Dennehy as Brother Swan
Also Starring in Mandy
· 9 more- Line Pillet Sister Lucy
- Clément Baronnet Brother Klopek
- Alexis Julemont Brother Hanker
- Paul Painter Announcer, Cheddar Goblin
- Richard Brake The Chemist
- Bill Duke Caruthers
- Olwen Fouere
- Ivailo Dimitrov Skratch
- Hayley Saywell Sis
More from Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos
More films directed by Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos, best-rated first: Adult Swim Yule Log and Beyond the Black Rainbow.
Mandy Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Mandy 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Mandy Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Mandy presents a striking blend of visual intensity and emotional resonance that stands out within contemporary genre filmmaking. The film’s vivid direction and imaginative production design consistently draw attention, while Cage’s committed performance anchors its more surreal passages with genuine emotional stakes. However, the deliberate pacing and episodic narrative structure may challenge viewers seeking tighter plotting. Ultimately, the film maintains a compelling balance between stylistic ambition and visceral storytelling, yielding a memorable experience.
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 & Craft, Mandy excels with its bold visual language and meticulous production design. The direction employs sustained compositions and saturated color palettes that underscore the film’s hallucinatory tone. Editing rhythms shift between measured sequences and abrupt intensity, amplifying the narrative impact. This combination of cinematography, set design, and editorial choices results in a consistently immersive artistic presentation.
- Character & Emotion 85
In terms of Character & Emotion, the film is elevated by a deeply invested lead performance that conveys raw grief and determined resolve. Subtle interactions and moments of quiet reflection establish emotional stakes that resonate beyond the revenge narrative. While secondary characters receive limited development, the central figure’s arc provides sufficient depth to engage viewers. Overall, the emotional core remains compelling and authentic.
- Story & Flow 60
When it comes to Story & Flow, the narrative presents a straightforward revenge structure tempered by moments of contemplative space. The deliberate pacing in the first act allows for atmospheric build-up, though it may test the attention of viewers expecting rapid progression. Plot coherence occasionally gives way to episodic sequences that emphasize style over tight cohesion. In sum, the story offers originality but requires patience for its more extended passages.
- Sensory Experience 88
In terms of Sensory Experience, Mandy delivers a potent blend of heavy synth score, striking sound design, and vibrant visual style. The soundtrack’s pulsating rhythms and layered audio cues intensify the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Meanwhile, the coordinated use of neon hues, strobe effects, and dynamic compositions reinforces the immersive quality of each sequence. Overall, the sensory elements create a consistently visceral and memorable environment.
- Rewatch Factor 85
Regarding Rewatch Factor, the film’s distinctive style and cult appeal suggest strong replay value for willing audiences. The intensity of the visual and auditory design encourages repeated viewings to uncover nuanced details. However, the extended pacing and narrative focus on a single revenge arc may limit its appeal for some viewers on subsequent experiences. Ultimately, the film’s unique aesthetic and emotional stakes support its lasting appeal for genre enthusiasts.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 68%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
5.2K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Mandy Plot Summary
What happens in Mandy 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
The film opens with an eerie inscription: “When I die, Bury me deep, Lay two speakers at my feet, Wrap some speakers around my head, And rock and roll me.” From this unsettling note, we enter the world of Red Miller, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, a lumberjack working in the serene woods. After wrapping up his day, Red leaves via helicopter, and we shift to his wife, Mandy, played by Andrea Riseborough, who is engaged in sketching fearsome animals while enjoying some marijuana.
Full summary
The whole story of Mandy, scene by scene
Mandy Box Office & Budget
Mandy grossed $1.8 million worldwide on a $6 million budget, 29% of what it cost. $1.2 million came from the US and Canada and $531,277 (30%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.8M
29% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $1.2M
- International
- $531.3K
- Budget
- $6M
Mandy Awards & Nominations
Mandy won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Independent Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2019, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
1 win3 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2019 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Independent Film Release
- Nominated Best Actor in a Film – Nicolas Cage
-
Spirit Awards 2019 1 nomination- Nominated Best Cinematography
Mandy Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Nicolas Cage Screaming
How Well Do You Know Mandy?
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 the cryptic epitaph that sets the tone for 'Mandy'?
Cars in Mandy
4 cars on screen, including the Chevrolet Blazer and the 1983 Ford Econoline.
-
Chevrolet Blazer Important role -
1983 Ford Econoline Minor role -
1975 Ford LTD Country Squire Minor role -
unknown Minor role
Mandy Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Μάντυ” and “Мэнди”.
- Also known as
-
- Μάντυ
- Мэнди
- 曼蒂
- Манди
- Mandy: Sede de Vingança
- 맨디
- מנדי
- Mandy – A bosszú kultusza
- Менді
- マンディ 地獄のロード・ウォリアー
- ماندي
- Mandy - Kult pomsty
+5 more Show fewer
- 狂屠絕路
- Менди, მენდი
- Kẻ Săn Lùng
- Mandy: Kult pomsty
- Mendė
Seen Mandy?
Movies Like Mandy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, Mandy the Haunted Doll and Mandrake.
Mandy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Mandy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mandy?
Mandy runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).
When was Mandy released?
Mandy was released on September 14, 2018.
Who directed Mandy?
Mandy was directed by Chris 'Casper' Kelly and Panos Cosmatos.
More films by Chris 'Casper' Kelly Who is in the cast of Mandy?
Mandy stars Andrea Riseborough as Mandy Bloom, Nicolas Cage as Red Miller and Linus Roache as Jeremiah Sand, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Mandy make at the box office?
Mandy grossed $1.8 million worldwide ($1.2 million domestic, $531,277 international) on a budget of $6 million.
How is Mandy rated?
Mandy has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.
What awards did Mandy win?
Mandy won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Independent Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019.
Does Mandy have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Mandy has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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