Documentary

Meat the Future (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Name: Meat the Future
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2022-04-05
Duration: 1 h 24 min
Cast: Uma Valeti, Jane Goodall, Paul Shapiro, Bruce Friedrich, Anjuly Mathai

Meat the Future is a 2022 documentary directed by Liz Marshall, starring Uma Valeti, Jane Goodall and Paul Shapiro. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $4.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
worldwide gross: $4.6M
Echo Score: 73

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Released: April 5, 2022
Runtime: 1h 24m (84 min)
Director: Liz Marshall
Genre: Documentary
Original language: English
Studio: Giant Pictures
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Meat the Future About?

The premise of Meat the Future without spoilers.

This documentary explores the innovative world of cultivated meat, following Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO of Upside Foods, and her team’s efforts to revolutionize the meat industry. The film chronicles their five-year journey, detailing the challenges and triumphs of creating sustainable, animal-free meat alternatives. Viewers witness the progression from early, expensive prototypes to more affordable and accessible innovations, offering a glimpse into the future of food production and its potential to address environmental and ethical concerns.

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Cast & crew

Meat the Future Cast & Characters

Uma Valeti leads the cast, with Jane Goodall as Narrator and Paul Shapiro. Directed by Liz Marshall; 36 actors are credited in all.

Director Liz Marshall

Also Starring in Meat the Future

· 32 more

Anjuly Mathai Themselves
Eric Schulze Themselves
Erica Meier Themselves
Giribala Chava Valeti Themselves
Heidi Roizen Themselves
Holly Gann Themselves
Jack Bobo Themselves
Jessica Almy Themselves
Justin Oldfield Themselves
Kanaka Mohan Valeti Themselves
Lia Biondo Themselves
Mark Post Themselves
Matthew Leung Themselves
Mrunalini Parvataneni Themselves
Nicholas Genovese Themselves
Sonny Perdue Themselves

Show all 36 cast members

From the director

Meat the Future Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Meat the Future 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in rewatch factor (80) and weakest in character & emotion (60).

73 /100

Meat the Future Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall effectiveness, the documentary offers a thorough introduction to cultivated meat while occasionally faltering in narrative cohesion. Reviewers commend the clear presentation of scientific data and the film’s visual polish, noting compelling interviews and well‑timed editing that aid comprehension. Conversely, several critics point to a dry delivery for uninformed viewers and moments of unfocused storytelling that reduce engagement. The net result is an informative work with uneven pacing, earning a solid but not outstanding rating.

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

Art & Craft 68

The film’s art and craft display a mix of refined and uneven elements. Cinematography is praised for its clear visuals and purposeful framing, and editing is described as flawless by some viewers, enhancing the informational rhythm. However, other critics note occasional sloppy camera work, mismatched zooms, and audible cuts that disrupt continuity. Overall, the visual execution is competent but not consistently polished.
Character & Emotion 60

Character presentation centers on interviewees such as the founding cardiologist and his multidisciplinary team, delivering earnest testimony that resonates emotionally. Reviewers highlight the inspiring and candid portrayal of these innovators, which lends human depth to the scientific narrative. Yet some comments describe the documentary as superficial, failing to develop a cohesive emotional arc for the subjects. Consequently, the character dimension is solidly engaging but occasionally lacks deeper exploration.
Story & Flow 65

The documentary’s story structure aims to trace the evolution of cultivated meat from concept to market. Positive feedback points to compelling storytelling that educates viewers and maintains a chronological flow, with effective use of graphics to illustrate progress. In contrast, several reviewers cite a lack of narrative focus, describing the film as meandering and failing to choose a singular storyline, which diminishes engagement. Overall, the story is informative yet unevenly paced.
Sensory Experience 75

Sensory elements such as music, sound design, and visual style are largely praised for supporting the film’s informative tone. Reviewers note a balanced soundtrack that underlines key moments without overwhelming dialogue, and a visual aesthetic that combines clear laboratory footage with illustrative graphics. No criticisms of audio or visual quality are presented, suggesting the sensory experience is consistently effective throughout. The sensory dimension therefore contributes positively to overall viewer comprehension.
Rewatch Factor 80

Rewatch potential is highlighted by viewers who believe the film’s subject will grow in relevance and that its clear exposition rewards repeat viewings. Positive remarks emphasize the documentary’s ability to educate new audiences over time and inspire discussion about sustainable food systems. While some note an occasional promotional tone, the consensus is that its informational depth and hopeful outlook make it worthwhile to revisit. Consequently, the rewatch factor scores high.