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Drama

Moka (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Moka (2017) movie poster

Moka is a 2017 drama directed by Frédéric Mermoud, starring Nathalie Baye, Emmanuelle Devos and Samuel Labarthe. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$1.5M
Echo Score
78
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Moka (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Moka About?

The premise of Moka without spoilers.

Following a tragic accident that claims her son’s life, Diane Kramer seeks retribution against the driver of the vintage Mercedes responsible. Her pursuit leads her to the picturesque shores of Évian, where she encounters Marlene and her beauty salon. As Diane investigates, her quest for vengeance becomes intertwined with unexpected circumstances and complex relationships, revealing a far more perilous and intricate path than she initially anticipated.

Moka Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • private detective
  • hit and run
  • f rated
  • teenage killer
  • admission of guilt
  • determination
  • brief topless female nudity
  • topless swimming
  • accidental killing
  • symbolic action
  • purposely rear ending a car
  • nightclub
+38 more
  • title same as book
  • color in title
  • grief
  • dead son
  • befriending one's enemy
  • mountain hike
  • aqua aerobics
  • drug smuggler
  • buying a gun
  • lakeside
  • makeup
  • beauty salon
  • perfume shop
  • mercedes cabrio
  • car for sale sign
  • selling a car
  • hydrotherapy
  • shooting practice
  • revenge seeker
  • crying woman
  • stalking by night
  • french swiss border
  • ferry terminal
  • ferry boat
  • lake geneva
  • evian france
  • lausanne switzerland
  • 2000s
  • dancing
  • cigarette smoking
  • restaurant
  • reference to ludwig van beethoven
  • boat
  • swimming pool
  • watching a video
  • gun
  • loss of son
  • female protagonist
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Cast & crew

Moka Cast

Nathalie Baye leads the cast, with Emmanuelle Devos and Samuel Labarthe. Directed by Frédéric Mermoud; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Frédéric Mermoud

More films directed by Frédéric Mermoud: The Path of Excellence and Accomplices.

Full filmography
Ratings

Moka Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Moka 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

Moka Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Moka stands out as a nuanced character-driven thriller bolstered by strong performances and a consistently moody execution. Reviews highlight the intense face-off between Emmanuelle Devos and Nathalie Baye alongside the film’s slow-burning suspense and layered emotional resonance. Some observers note uneven pacing and a lack of plotting surprises typical of thrillers. Overall, the movie is markedly engaging yet more reflective than conventionally mysterious.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and visual style, Moka delivers a stark, moody atmosphere with a measured, lean approach. Several critiques reference the crisp composition and classical framing that underscore the film’s tension. While the minimalistic production design reinforces the psychological focus, occasional static imagery may feel overly restrained. Ultimately, the art direction maintains a coherent tone that supports the narrative’s subtle intensity.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Moka excels through its two central performances. Critics praise the dynamic face-off between Devos and Baye, noting the nuanced portrayal of grief, guarded antagonism, and evolving rapport throughout the narrative. Observers highlight how the actresses convey deep sorrow and latent tension without overt exposition. In sum, the character study anchors the film with compelling emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, Moka presents a slow-burning narrative centered on grief-driven revenge. Reviews note the film’s coherent progression toward an emotionally satisfying conclusion, despite occasional lapses in plot originality and moderate pacing. Some find the procedural elements underdeveloped in favor of introspection, reducing traditional thriller tension. Thus, the story offers a measured but somewhat predictable arc grounded in character motivations.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, Moka employs restrained sound design and an understated score to heighten suspense. Critics highlight the ominous ripple of a handbag zipper and dual musical themes that subtly reinforce shifting emotional tones. The film’s visual palette maintains a consistent moody cohesion, while audio cues punctuate key moments without overwhelming the narrative. Overall, the sensory elements effectively support the psychological atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, the strength of Moka lies in its layered performances and subtle narrative shifts. Observers suggest that the film’s nuanced interplay between characters and carefully tucked surprises may reveal new details upon subsequent viewings. However, the deliberate pacing and limited plot variation could dampen immediate replay appeal. Overall, the movie offers moderate lasting engagement for those invested in its emotional depth.

Box office

Moka Box Office

Moka grossed $1.5 million worldwide. $129,547 came from the US and Canada and $1.4 million (91%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5M

US & Canada
$129.5K
International
$1.4M
US & Canada 9% Rest of the world 91%
Videos

Moka Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Moka.

Moka Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Cars

Cars in Moka

7 cars on screen, including the 1972 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107 and the unknown.

All 7 cars
  • 1972 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107 in Moka 1972 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107 Featured role
  • unknown in Moka unknown Important role
  • 1978 Ford Capri MkIII in Moka 1978 Ford Capri MkIII Minor role
  • 2015 Mazda CX-3 in Moka 2015 Mazda CX-3 Minor role

Seen Moka?

FAQ

Moka FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Moka?

Moka runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Moka released?

Moka was released on June 14, 2017.

Who directed Moka?

Moka was directed by Frédéric Mermoud.

More films by Frédéric Mermoud

Who is in the cast of Moka?

Moka stars Nathalie Baye, Emmanuelle Devos and Samuel Labarthe, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Moka make at the box office?

Moka grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($129,547 domestic, $1.4 million international).

How is Moka rated?

Moka has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Moka have a post-credit scene?

No. Moka has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Moka in?

The original language of Moka is French.

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