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Drama

Master (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Master (2022) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$28.7M
Echo Score
62
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Master (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Mariama Diallo
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

More from Mariama Diallo

One more film directed by Mariama Diallo: Hair Wolf.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

62 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Master Box Office

Master grossed $28.7 million worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$28.7M

International
$28.7M
Videos

Master Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Narvel Roth's profession?

Details

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
  • 黑舍監
  • マスター ~見えない敵~
  • Η Οικοδέσποινα

Seen Master?

FAQ

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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