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Matthias & Maxime (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Matthias & Maxime (2020) movie poster

Matthias & Maxime is a 2020 drama starring Xavier Dolan as Maxime, Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas and Harris Dickinson. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $1.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$1.9M
Echo Score
53
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Matthias & Maxime (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Canadian french
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Matthias & Maxime About?

The premise of Matthias & Maxime without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Lifelong friends Matthias and Maxime find their close bond unexpectedly challenged when they're asked to share a kiss for a student film project. This seemingly minor request triggers a wave of uncertainty and self-reflection, forcing them to examine the complexities of their relationship and the dynamics within their social circle. As doubts and insecurities surface, they must confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the nature of their connection, leading to a profound shift in their lives.

Matthias & Maxime Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship
  • kiss
  • in love with best friend
  • mother son relationship
  • closeted homosexual
  • montreal quebec canada
  • film student
  • recovering drug addict
  • farewell party
  • swimming in a lake
  • party game
  • strip club
+38 more
  • fight
  • franglais
  • year 2019
  • actor director
  • written by director
  • actor director writer
  • gay kiss
  • passionate gay kiss
  • gay desire
  • gay
  • character name in title
  • cigarette smoking
  • bartender
  • lawyer
  • smoking marijuana
  • punching a mirror
  • reference to melbourne australia
  • reference to denys arcand
  • reference to pedro almodovar
  • reference to omar sharif
  • reference to alain delon
  • reference to peter sellers
  • reference to jesse owens
  • 2010s
  • actor director producer writer
  • friends in love
  • mutual attraction
  • passionate kiss
  • friends to lovers
  • in love
  • male protagonist
  • gay interest
  • friendship between men
  • port wine stain on face
  • bisexual
  • bisexual man
  • bisexual male protagonist
  • bisexual protagonist
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Cast & crew

Matthias & Maxime Cast & Characters

Xavier Dolan leads the cast as Maxime, with Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas as Matthias and Harris Dickinson as McAfee.

Ratings

Matthias & Maxime Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Matthias & Maxime 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in art & craft (30).

53 /100

Matthias & Maxime Echo Score Breakdown

Matthias & Maxime elicits mixed reactions, balancing moments of emotional sincerity against narrative unevenness. While many praise the film’s heartfelt exploration of desire and credible performances, others criticize its dilated pacing, heavy stylistic flourishes, and underdeveloped dramatic stakes. Critics are split on the balance of poetic ambition and coherence, and users note both moving character moments and a lack of substantive plot progression. The net impression is of a film with resonant passages but limited overall momentum.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    The film’s art direction and visual motifs draw criticism for their occasional excess rather than cohesion. Reviewers note that slow-motion sequences and emphatic editing come across as caricature, and the final moments feel cosmetically overworked. Although a few scenes achieve striking compositional beauty, the uneven application of stylistic devices undermines overall craft. The result is a mixed visual identity that often fails to enhance narrative clarity.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Character portrayals in Matthias & Maxime are generally praised for their authenticity and emotional expressiveness. Several observers highlight strong chemistry among the ensemble and nuanced performances, especially in scenes of repressed longing. Some reviewers, however, find certain emotional arcs underexplored or overly introspective with limited dramatic stakes. Overall, the film’s character work is a key strength, delivering credible interaction and heartfelt moments.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The film’s narrative structure and pacing receive mixed feedback for inconsistent momentum. Some viewers appreciate the deliberate focus on emotional beats and character crossroads, but many criticize the plot as dull, overly drawn-out, and lacking substantive progression. The use of meta-formal techniques and slow development leaves parts of the story feeling dilated. In sum, the story’s uneven flow limits engagement despite intermittent moments of resonance.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of sensory experience, the film alternates between effective sound and musical moments and jarring excess. The soundtrack is commended for its emotional resonance, but frequent shifts to high-intensity music and conspicuous editing undermine cohesion. Visual sequences sometimes capture striking compositions, yet the overall design can feel disjointed. Consequently, the sensory elements offer both highlights and distractions, resulting in a mixed impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When it comes to rewatch value, the film offers selective appeal but limited broad replay potential. Certain poignant scenes and heartfelt performances invite a second viewing, as noted by viewers drawn to its emotional nuances. However, the slow pacing and episodic structure may deter repeated consumption for some audiences. Ultimately, while some moments justify revisiting, the film’s overall momentum may not sustain multiple viewings.

Plot

Matthias & Maxime Plot Summary

What happens in Matthias & Maxime from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Matthias and Maxime, two lifelong friends in their late twenties, navigate the complexities of adult life in Montreal. Matthias, portrayed by Harris Dickinson, is a driven businessman preparing for a promotion, while his friend Maxime, played by Pier-Luc Funk, is a more laid-back bartender caring for his struggling alcoholic mother. As they face pivotal moments in their lives—particularly Maxime’s upcoming move to Australia for work—they decide to take a weekend trip to the lakeside cabin of their affluent friend, Rivette (Alexandre Bourgeois).

Full summary

The whole story of Matthias & Maxime, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Matthias & Maxime Box Office

Matthias & Maxime grossed $1.9 million worldwide. $374,739 came from the US and Canada and $1.5 million (80%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.9M

US & Canada
$374.7K
International
$1.5M
US & Canada 20% Rest of the world 80%
Videos

Matthias & Maxime Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer #2
  • Featurette In Conversation with Xavier Dolan
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Matthias & Maxime?

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
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Matthias's occupation?

Cars

Cars in Matthias & Maxime

14 cars on screen, including the 1997 Jeep TJ and the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J.

All 14 cars
  • 1997 Jeep TJ in Matthias & Maxime 1997 Jeep TJ Important role
  • 2004 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J in Matthias & Maxime 2004 Volkswagen Jetta A4 Typ 1J Important role
  • 2005 Audi A4 B7 in Matthias & Maxime 2005 Audi A4 B7 Minor role
  • Volvo unknown in Matthias & Maxime Volvo unknown Minor role
Details

Matthias & Maxime Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Matt & Max” and “Matthias et Maxime”.

Also known as
  • Matt & Max
  • Matthias et Maxime
  • Matthias und Maxime
  • Matthias ve Maxime
  • Матиас и Максим
  • 마티아스와 막심
  • Matthias a Maxime
  • Matthias i Maxime
  • 马蒂亚斯与马克西姆, მათიასი და მაქსიმე
  • 麥特與麥斯
  • マティアス&マキシム
  • Матіас і Максим

Seen Matthias & Maxime?

FAQ

Matthias & Maxime FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Matthias & Maxime, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Matthias & Maxime?

Matthias & Maxime runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Matthias & Maxime released?

Matthias & Maxime was released on August 28, 2020.

Who is in the cast of Matthias & Maxime?

Matthias & Maxime stars Xavier Dolan as Maxime, Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas as Matthias and Harris Dickinson as McAfee, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Matthias & Maxime make at the box office?

Matthias & Maxime grossed $1.9 million worldwide ($374,739 domestic, $1.5 million international).

How is Matthias & Maxime rated?

Matthias & Maxime has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Matthias & Maxime have a post-credit scene?

No. Matthias & Maxime has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Matthias & Maxime in?

The original language of Matthias & Maxime is Canadian french.

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