Maya Dardel (2017): Cast & Ratings
Maya Dardel is a 2017 drama directed by Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler, starring Lena Olin as Maya Dardel, Rosanna Arquette and Nathan Keyes. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Directors
- Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Maya Dardel About?
The premise of Maya Dardel without spoilers.
As a celebrated poet faces the end of her life, she seeks a successor, presenting a demanding task: write from the heart or forfeit a chance at lasting literary recognition. Aspiring writers travel to a mountain setting, drawn by the opportunity, and find themselves immersed in an intense environment of creativity and deep emotion, where the competition tests their abilities and vulnerabilities.
Maya Dardel Themes & Keywords
· 14 tags- seductress
- female poet
- reference to istanbul turkey
- remote house
- loneliness
- women in crisis
- suicide plan
- suicide talk
- considering suicide
- alone in house
- open ending
- reference to turkey
+2 more Show fewer
- cunnilingus
- doggystyle sex
Maya Dardel Cast & Characters
Lena Olin leads the cast as Maya Dardel, with Rosanna Arquette as Leonora and Nathan Keyes as Ansel. Directed by Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Magdalena Zyzak
- Co-director Zachary Cotler
-
Lena Olin as Maya Dardel -
Rosanna Arquette as Leonora - Nathan Keyes as Ansel
- Ryan Masson as Applicant #5
Also Starring in Maya Dardel
· 6 more- Jordan Gavaris Kevin
- Alexander Koch Paul
- Chris Voss Moses
- Bryan Bennett Applicant #2
- Ed Apodaca Applicant #4
- Seth Baker Applicant #1
More from Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler
More films directed by Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler, best-rated first: The Wall of Mexico, When I'm a Moth, When I’m a Moth and The Wall of Mexico.
Maya Dardel Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Maya Dardel 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).
Maya Dardel Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Maya Dardel provokes a divided response with a commanding lead performance contrasted by uneven visual and narrative execution. While critics uniformly praise Lena Olin’s portrayal for its intensity and nuance, many note that the film’s visual imagination and directorial approach feel stifling and unadventurous. The pacing and story engagement fluctuate, leaving some viewers disengaged. Ultimately, the film’s strengths in character study are tempered by its inconsistent style and limited accessibility.
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 art and craft, the film exhibits an understated visual palette that often feels constrained. Critics highlight a lack of directorial inventiveness and visual imagination, describing many sequences as stifling rather than striking. Though occasional compositions offer moments of prickly pleasure, they are overshadowed by broadly uninspired production design and editing that fails to sustain momentum. Overall, the film’s visual language remains modest and conservative.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, Maya Dardel is driven by a commanding lead performance that consistently earns praise. Lena Olin’s portrayal is noted for its intensity, nuance, and emotional precision, giving the film its primary source of engagement. However, the central character’s aloofness and self-absorbed tendencies limit audience empathy, creating a barrier to sustained emotional investment. Overall, the performance is strong but emotionally distant.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, the film’s conceptual premise generates initial intrigue but struggles to maintain momentum. Critics observe that the narrative pacing is uneven and that the plot’s coherence wavers in its episodic structure. While occasional thematic insights emerge, the overall engagement is hampered by a feeling of narrative diffusion. The story ultimately feels restrained and intermittently compelling.
- Sensory Experience 45
When it comes to sensory experience, the film is largely muted. Reviews highlight an absence of distinctive sound design or musical identity, and the visual style is criticized for lacking imagination. Occasional moments of atmospheric sound or composition provide brief interest, but they are insufficient to elevate the overall sensory impact. The sensory appeal remains modest.
- Rewatch Factor 40
In terms of rewatch value, Maya Dardel offers limited replay appeal. The film’s measured pacing and thematic focus on character study provide some depth, but its off-putting tone and emotionally distant central figure discourage multiple viewings. While committed viewers may appreciate revisiting specific performances, the overall experience lacks the warmth and variation that foster lasting appeal on repeat screenings.
-
IMDb 5.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 60% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 53%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 53 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
616 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Maya Dardel Also Known As
27 alternative titles, including “La tortuga roja” and “La tartaruga rossa”.
- Also known as
-
- La tortuga roja
- La tartaruga rossa
- La Tortue rouge
- Η Κόκκινη Χελώνα
- 붉은 거북
- Die rote Schildkröte
- Красная черепаха
- A vörös teknős
- Червона черепаха
- La tortuga vermella
- הצב האדום
- A Tartaruga Vermelha
+15 more Show fewer
- Červená želva
- 紅烏龜:小島物語
- De rode schildpad
- Kırmızı Kaplumbağa
- レッドタートル ある島の物語
- Czerwony żółw
- Црвена корњача
- 红海龟
- Червената костенурка
- السلحفاة الحمراء
- Červená korytnačka
- เต่าแดง
- Den røde skildpadde
- 紅海龜
- Rùa Đỏ
Seen Maya Dardel?
Movies Like Maya Dardel
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Maya, Death and the Maiden and Turkish Passion.
Maya Dardel FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Maya Dardel, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Maya Dardel?
Maya Dardel runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Maya Dardel released?
Maya Dardel was released on October 27, 2017.
Who directed Maya Dardel?
Maya Dardel was directed by Magdalena Zyzak and Zachary Cotler.
More films by Magdalena Zyzak Who is in the cast of Maya Dardel?
Maya Dardel stars Lena Olin as Maya Dardel, Rosanna Arquette as Leonora and Nathan Keyes as Ansel, among 10 credited actors.
How is Maya Dardel rated?
Maya Dardel has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does Maya Dardel have a post-credit scene?
No. Maya Dardel has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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