Manodrome (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Manodrome is a 2023 drama thriller directed by John Trengove, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Ralphie, Odessa Young and Philip Ettinger. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes. Critics gave it 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- John Trengove
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Capstone Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Manodrome About?
The premise of Manodrome without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Ralphie feels trapped by an unfulfilling life and uncertain future, particularly as his girlfriend's pregnancy looms. Seeking answers and a sense of belonging, he becomes drawn into a libertarian masculinity cult, setting him on a complex and potentially dangerous path of self-discovery.
Manodrome Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- male male kiss
- gay interest
- gay sex
- homoerotism
- gay
- gay attraction
- gay kiss
- gay anal sex
- first time gay sex
- family relationships
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
+38 more Show fewer
- male full frontal nudity
- man flashes his penis
- interracial gay sex
- interracial kiss
- bare chested male
- locker room
- men's locker room
- group shower
- shower room
- communal shower
- brief male frontal nudity
- penis bulge
- visible penis line
- male pubic hair
- snowy weather
- limp penis
- male genitals
- male hug
- toxic masculinity
- male frontal nudity
- kiss
- gym
- men's group
- misogyny
- sexist slur
- abstinence
- uber driver
- homoeroticism
- first gay sexual experience
- pubic hair
- public nudity
- outdoor nudity
- nude outside
- condom
- introvert
- pregnancy
- ginger hair
- seductive behavior
Manodrome Cast & Characters
Jesse Eisenberg leads the cast as Ralphie, with Odessa Young as Sal and Philip Ettinger as Jason. Directed by John Trengove; 20 actors are credited in all.
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Director John Trengove
-
Jesse Eisenberg as Ralphie -
Odessa Young as Sal -
Philip Ettinger as Jason -
Adrien Brody as Dad Dan
Also Starring in Manodrome
· 16 more- Sallieu Sesay Ahmet
- Ethan Suplee Dad Leo
- Lamar Johnson Garfield
- Evan Jonigkeit Son Brad
- Brian Anthony Wilson Dad Zander
- Caleb Eberhardt Son Aaron
- Zia Anger Alice
- Adam Wade McLaughlin Jerome
- Matthew Lamb Raymond
- Jonah Wharton Connor
- Garrett Richmond Blake
- Gheorghe Muresan Sachiel
- Sean Edward Lewis Son Cy
- Brian Brehm Son Drew
- Blake Brehm Son Paul
- Rheta West Tammy
More from John Trengove
One more film directed by John Trengove: The Wound.
Manodrome Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Manodrome 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (30).
Manodrome Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Manodrome presents a mixed reception with strengths in performance but weaknesses in narrative coherence. Critics and users highlight Jesse Eisenberg’s compelling portrayal of a repressed protagonist amid a heavy-handed treatment of toxic masculinity. While some note effective tension building, the scripting is often described as predictable and lacking depth, limiting engagement. The film’s visual execution earns occasional praise but is insufficient to offset the uneven storytelling and limited rewatch appeal. Net impression remains underwhelming.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 50
In terms of direction and cinematography, Manodrome offers sporadic visual appeal through well-composed shots and moments of measured tension. However, the filmmaking style is often heavy-handed, with crude sensationalism undermining production design and editing cohesion. While select scenes demonstrate a coherent visual palette, the overall craft lacks consistency, resulting in an uneven aesthetic. The net impression is a film with intermittent visual strengths overshadowed by tonal imbalance.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to acting and character depth, Jesse Eisenberg delivers a convincing portrayal of a repressed protagonist, supported by committed performances from the ensemble. The film effectively captures emotional resonance in key moments, illustrating the character’s internal struggle. Yet, certain motivations feel underdeveloped and occasionally clichéd, limiting full empathy. Overall, the portrayals are a highlight amid some depth constraints.
- Story & Flow 30
Regarding plot coherence and engagement, Manodrome struggles with uneven pacing and predictable structuring. Although the narrative introduces intriguing subcultural elements, the script often feels directionless and heavy-handed, diluting originality. Moments of tension and thematic intent emerge, but they are frequently undercut by sensationalized storytelling and cliched resolutions. In sum, the film’s storyline lacks the depth and cohesion necessary for sustained engagement.
- Sensory Experience 60
In terms of sensory experience, the film showcases an occasionally effective score and raw visual style that contribute to tension. Select sequences feature polished sound design and a restrained color palette that underscore thematic weight. However, these elements are inconsistent, and moments of sensationalism disrupt auditory and visual cohesion. Overall, the sensory approach offers intermittent immersion without maintaining a sustained atmospheric impact.
- Rewatch Factor 40
When considering rewatch value, Manodrome’s compelling lead performance and atmospheric tension invite a second viewing. Yet, the film’s predictability and narrative unevenness limit lasting appeal. While certain thematic layers might reward further analysis, the heavy-handed treatment and lack of subtlety reduce motivation for repeat engagement. Ultimately, rewatch potential is modest, driven primarily by character portrayal rather than enduring narrative strength.
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IMDb 4.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 49% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 23%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 48 Metascore
User score 2.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 51% User score
See on TMDB
Manodrome Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Manodrome from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As Ralphie’s life spirals into chaos, he is compelled to take up the mundane job of a rideshare driver to support both himself and his pregnant girlfriend, Sal. In an attempt to maintain his fitness, he hits the gym regularly alongside his friend Jason, who has a sideline in selling prescription pills. Despite his efforts, Ralphie feels bogged down by a sense of stagnation, which leads to an unexpected introduction to the magnetic Dad Dan, a charismatic figure who effortlessly rallies a group of like-minded men around him.
Full summary
The whole story of Manodrome, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Manodrome Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.
- Featurette Berlinale Press Conference Highlights
- Featurette Berlinale Red Carpet Highlights
How Well Do You Know Manodrome?
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 precarious job does Ralphie take on to support himself and Sal?
Manodrome Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “崇陽俱樂部” and “매노드롬”.
- Also known as
-
- 崇陽俱樂部
- 매노드롬
- Мэнодром
- גבריות
- 男力宇宙
- Manódromo
- 男气管制
- Манодром
- Manodromas
Seen Manodrome?
Movies Like Manodrome
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Man of Desire, Real Man and Play It Like a Man.
Manodrome FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Manodrome, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Manodrome?
Manodrome runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Manodrome released?
Manodrome was released on November 10, 2023.
Who directed Manodrome?
Manodrome was directed by John Trengove.
More films by John Trengove Who is in the cast of Manodrome?
Manodrome stars Jesse Eisenberg as Ralphie, Odessa Young as Sal and Philip Ettinger as Jason, among 20 credited actors.
How is Manodrome rated?
Manodrome has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 51% on TMDB.
Does Manodrome have a post-credit scene?
No. Manodrome has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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