Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

Memory Box (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Memory Box (2022) movie poster

Memory Box is a 2022 drama directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, starring Manal Issa as Maia Sanders (young), Paloma Vauthier and Hassan Akil. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $15,216 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$15.2K
Echo Score
79
Loading streaming availability…
Memory Box (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
Studio
Playtime
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Memory Box About?

The premise of Memory Box without spoilers.

On Christmas Eve in Montreal, single mother Maia’s carefully constructed life is shaken by a mysterious package arriving from Beirut. Her daughter, Alex, intrigued by the unspoken history it represents, decides to investigate. Through the contents of the box, Alex begins to uncover her mother's challenging teenage years during the Lebanese Civil War. As she pieces together the past, the boundaries between memory, imagination, and reality become increasingly unclear, revealing a hidden story with profound implications for both women.

Memory Box Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • quebec canada
  • lebanon
  • 2010s
  • christian lebanese
  • lebanese civil war
  • lebanese woman
  • beirut lebanon
  • lebanese immigrant
  • cell phone message on screen
  • female photographer
  • painful memories
  • past life memories
+38 more
  • repressed memories
  • memory box
  • death of brother
  • tape recorder
  • cassette tape
  • recorded voice
  • audio diary
  • reading someone else's diary
  • old photograph
  • social network
  • kodak camera
  • nikon camera
  • snowstorm
  • christmas eve
  • mother disapproves of boyfriend
  • city ruins
  • fear of death
  • bombing of city
  • telling life story
  • sex scene
  • suicide disguised as murder
  • suicide of father
  • uncovering the past
  • memorial ceremony
  • cemetery
  • old friends reunited
  • lovers reunited
  • sped up footage
  • texting
  • snow
  • squirrel
  • inspired by a true story
  • semi autobiographical
  • reference to facebook
  • mother daughter relationship
  • photograph
  • taking a photograph with a cell phone
  • flashback
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Memory Box Cast & Characters

Manal Issa leads the cast as Maia Sanders (young), with Paloma Vauthier as Alex Sanders and Hassan Akil as Raja (young). Directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige

More films directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige: Ismyrna, I Want to See, A Perfect Day and Around the Pink House.

Ratings

Memory Box Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Memory Box 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (65).

79 /100

Memory Box Echo Score Breakdown

Memory Box presents a richly textured meditation on memory and family, anchored by striking visual design and thoughtful thematic ambition. While the film excels in sensory composition and occasional narrative inventiveness, its dual timelines sometimes compete for focus, leading to uneven character development and pacing. Critics acknowledge the film's artistic daring and strong performances, yet note moments where the story cohesion falters. The net impression is a commendable, if imperfect, exploration that rewards attentive viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases an imaginative blend of archival footage, mixed‑media animation, and meticulous editing. Critics highlight the deft weaving of photographs, super‑8 material, and sound collage, describing the visual execution as impressive and tactile. Minor criticism points to occasional overemphasis on effects at the expense of narrative clarity. Overall, the craftsmanship stands out as a strong element of the work.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive consistent praise, with the ensemble described as outstanding and anchoring the piece. Nevertheless, reviewers note that the mother‑daughter relationship is sometimes thinly etched and that the dual narratives limit deep character exploration. The acting depth provides emotional resonance, but the narrative structure curtails full development, resulting in a moderately positive assessment of this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the film’s ambitious intergenerational structure draws both admiration and critique. Critics commend the innovative premise and moments of engaging revelation, yet many point to a lack of cohesive plotting, with timelines that compete rather than converge smoothly. The pacing is described as measured in parts but prone to dragging, especially early on. Consequently, the narrative impact is viewed as mixed, leaning toward the lower mid‑range.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience receives strong commendation for its vibrant soundscape and visual style. Reviewers emphasize the lively animation of photos, the crackling audio collage, and the seamless integration of music that enriches immersion. The sound design and cinematography are portrayed as lively and evocative, reinforcing thematic content. Minor reservations appear only in the context of visual priority over story, leaving the sensory dimension markedly successful.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch factor is assessed as moderately high, with the film offering layers of visual and emotional detail that invite repeated viewings. Audience feedback notes sustained engagement and a compelling exploration of under‑represented historical context, despite a slight tendency toward drag in the first hour. The richness of archival material and thematic depth suggest lasting appeal, though the uneven narrative may temper repeat enthusiasm.

Box office

Memory Box Box Office

Memory Box grossed $15,216 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.2K

International
$15.2K
Videos

Memory Box Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser
Cars

Cars in Memory Box

62 cars on screen, including the 2013 Ford Explorer and the 2011 Dodge Charger.

All 62 cars
  • 2013 Ford Explorer in Memory Box 2013 Ford Explorer Main role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger in Memory Box 2011 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 2015 Dodge Charger in Memory Box 2015 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 1992 Ford Bronco in Memory Box 1992 Ford Bronco Important role
Details

Memory Box Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Les Cahiers” and “Hatıra Kutusu”.

Also known as
  • Les Cahiers
  • Hatıra Kutusu
  • Memory Box - En historie om kjærlighet
  • دفاتر مايا
  • Krabice vzpomínek
  • Το κουτί με τις αναμνήσεις
  • 愛在黎巴亂世時
  • Dafater Maya
  • Pudełko wspomnień
  • Caixa de Memórias
  • Коробка памяти
  • 秘密盒
+3 more
  • 回忆之盒
  • 메모리 박스
  • Caja de memorias

Seen Memory Box?

FAQ

Memory Box FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Memory Box, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Memory Box?

Memory Box runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Memory Box released?

Memory Box was released on August 5, 2022.

Who directed Memory Box?

Memory Box was directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige.

More films by Joana Hadjithomas

Who is in the cast of Memory Box?

Memory Box stars Manal Issa as Maia Sanders (young), Paloma Vauthier as Alex Sanders and Hassan Akil as Raja (young), among 10 credited actors.

How much did Memory Box make at the box office?

Memory Box grossed $15,216 worldwide.

How is Memory Box rated?

Memory Box has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Memory Box have a post-credit scene?

No. Memory Box has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Memory Box in?

The original language of Memory Box is French.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app