Master (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Master is a 2022 drama directed by Mariama Diallo, starring Regina Hall as Gail Bishop, Talia Balsam and Bruce Altman. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $28.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Mariama Diallo
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Amazon Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Master About?
The premise of Master without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
When Gail Bishop becomes the first Black woman to lead Ancaster College’s historic residence hall, she's immediately entangled in a web of secrets and unsettling events. As she navigates the challenges of her new position, she forms a connection with Jasmine Moore, a bright-eyed freshman whose personal journey reflects the college’s deeply buried truths. Gail’s investigation into the institution’s hidden history leads her to confront a troubling question: are the unsettling occurrences caused by supernatural forces or something far more contemporary?
Master Themes & Keywords
· 49 tags- gardener
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- gardening
- drug addict
- mentor protege relationship
- racist
- mentoring
- witness protection
- tattoo
- young man
- independent cinema
+37 more Show fewer
- male body
- handsome man
- disguise
- written by director
- sanctuary
- aunt niece realationship
- landscaper
- employer employee relationship
- master apprentice relationship
- militia
- reverend
- u.s. marshal
- dowager
- affair
- white supremacist
- orphaned
- porch
- disillusionment
- loneliness
- cult director
- urban decay
- sadness
- male protagonist
- american culture
- social problem
- behaviour
- realistic
- age gap
- two word title
- boss employee relationship
- older man young woman sex
- older man young woman relationship
- luger pistol
- female nudity
- female rear nudity
- young woman
- male female relationship
Master Cast & Characters
Regina Hall leads the cast as Gail Bishop, with Talia Balsam as Diandra and Bruce Altman as Brian. Directed by Mariama Diallo; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mariama Diallo
-
Regina Hall as Gail Bishop -
Talia Balsam as Diandra -
Bruce Altman as Brian -
Talia Ryder as Amelia
Also Starring in Master
· 6 more- Ella Hunt Cressida
- Jennifer Dundas
- Molly Bernard
- Joel de la Fuente Lam
- Will Hochman Tyler
- Leslie Fray
More from Mariama Diallo
One more film directed by Mariama Diallo: Hair Wolf.
Master Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Master 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (48).
Master Echo Score Breakdown
In overall assessment, Master presents a visually ambitious debut that succeeds in assembling a strong cast and purposeful direction, yet it falters in narrative focus and sustained horror effectiveness. Critics commend the director’s flair and Regina Hall’s performance, while many note an overload of thematic material that hampers coherence. The film’s social commentary remains compelling, but uneven pacing and underdeveloped plot diminish its impact. Consequently, the movie offers a noteworthy but uneven experience that lands in the mixed‑mid range.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
Direction and visual design receive consistent commendation. Reviewers highlight Mariama Diallo’s inspired direction, effective use of red lighting, and arresting cinematography that convey horror‑infused commentary. Production elements such as set pieces and editing are deemed competent, though some critics find the overall craft hindered by an overabundance of ideas. The artistic execution is solid, earning! a relatively high score.
- Character & Emotion 70
Acting, especially Regina Hall’s nuanced portrayal, is widely praised as the film’s strongest component. Critics note the chemistry among the three Black women and the emotional weight they carry. However,! several reviews point to underdeveloped secondary characters and a crowded ensemble that dilutes individual arcs. The character work is effective but not uniformly deep, resulting in a solid yet imperfect rating.
- Story & Flow 48
The narrative is described as ambitious but uneven. Reviewers repeatedly cite an overload of plot beats, unfocused pacing, and insufficient development of central ideas. While the thematic premise of institutional racism is clear and compelling, the execution suffers from fragmented storytelling and abrupt tonal shifts. Consequently, the story aspect receives a lower score reflecting its lack of cohesion.
- Sensory Experience 60
Soundtrack and sound design receive mixed feedback; the film’s visual style, including stark lighting and unsettling set pieces, is praised for reinforcing its horror atmosphere. Some critics find the sensory elements compelling, while others argue that jump‑scares and disorienting sequences undermine tension. Overall, the sensory experience is competent and occasionally striking, earning a mid‑range evaluation.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch potential is limited by the film’s uneven pacing and reliance on social commentary! over sustained scares. While the thematic depth and strong performances may invite a second viewing for analysis, many reviewers suggest the horror elements lack the impact needed for repeat enjoyment. Thus, the rewatch factor is modest, reflecting a mixed appeal for future viewings.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 75% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 37%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 4.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 53% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
7 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Master Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Master 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 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist at the stunning Gracewood Gardens, has always sought solace from his troubled past through the delicate art of gardening and ritualistic journaling, believing it represents “a belief in the future.” The estate, owned by the affluent dowager Mrs. Haverhill, is the focal point of his life. However, she decides to change his routine when she orders him to mentor her recently orphaned grandniece, Maya, to ensure the gardens remain “in the family.”
Full summary
The whole story of Master, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Master Box Office
Master grossed $28.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$28.7M
- International
- $28.7M
Master Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.
- Teaser Teaser Trailer
How Well Do You Know Master?
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 Narvel Roth's profession?
Master Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “มาสเตอร์ เหยียด ลับ หลอน” and “マスター 見えない敵”.
- Also known as
-
- มาสเตอร์ เหยียด ลับ หลอน
- マスター 見えない敵
- 하우스마스터
- Fantasmas do Passado
- 大师
- Zmora
- Profesorka
- La specialista
- מאסטר
- Майстер
- Yönetici
- Госпожа
+3 more Show fewer
- 黑舍監
- マスター ~見えない敵~
- Η Οικοδέσποινα
Seen Master?
Movies Like Master
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Master Gardener, The Master and Master.
Master FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Master, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Master?
Master runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Master released?
Master was released on March 18, 2022.
Who directed Master?
Master was directed by Mariama Diallo.
More films by Mariama Diallo Who is in the cast of Master?
Master stars Regina Hall as Gail Bishop, Talia Balsam as Diandra and Bruce Altman as Brian, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Master make at the box office?
Master grossed $28.7 million worldwide.
How is Master rated?
Master has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.
Does Master have a post-credit scene?
No. Master has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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