Mute (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Mute is a 2018 sci-fi thriller directed by Duncan Jones, starring Alexander Skarsgård as Leo, Gilbert Owuor and Seyneb Saleh. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $1,504 worldwide. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 6m (126 min)
- Director
- Duncan Jones
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Mute About?
The premise of Mute without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In a futuristic and gritty Berlin, a mute man named Leo searches for his missing girlfriend. His quest leads him into the city's criminal underworld, where he unexpectedly becomes involved with two American surgeons. They are engaged in a secretive and dangerous mission, and Leo finds himself caught between their clandestine operations and his own desperate search for answers. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deception and faces perilous revelations.
Mute Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- tech noir
- near future
- prostitute
- bartender
- future
- mute
- shared universe
- gangster
- one word title
- dystopia
- cyberpunk
- cyborg
+38 more Show fewer
- peeping tom
- mute man
- mute character
- silent character
- silent man
- underwater scene
- bar
- berlin germany
- psychotronic film
- low budget sci fi movie
- techno thriller
- silent protagonist
- future noir
- director cameo
- neon noir
- cyberpunk sci fi
- gay character
- pedophile
- surgery
- threatened with a knife
- mobster
- missing woman
- missing person
- brothel
- jumping off a bridge
- drowning someone
- flashback
- nightclub
- vengeance
- surgeon
- childhood accident
- 2030s
- missing girlfriend
- loss of girlfriend
- stabbed through the neck
- bar fight
- sexual harassment
- sex worker
Mute Cast & Characters
Alexander Skarsgård leads the cast as Leo, with Gilbert Owuor as Maksim and Seyneb Saleh as Naadirah. Directed by Duncan Jones; 17 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Duncan Jones
-
Alexander Skarsgård as Leo - Gilbert Owuor as Maksim
- Seyneb Saleh as Naadirah
-
Noel Clarke as Stu
Also Starring in Mute
· 13 more- Paul Rudd Cactus Bill
- Justin Theroux Duck
- Robert Sheehan Luba
- Livia Matthes Young Woman #1
- Florence Kasumba
- Caroline Peters Leo's Mother
- Daniel Fathers Sgt. Robert Kloskowski
- Laura de Boer Doctor
- Eugen Bauder Young Man
- Levi Eisenblätter Young Leo
- Jarah Maria Anders Young Woman #2
- Nikki Lamborn Rhonna
- Rosie Shaw Young Sybille
Mute Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Mute 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
Mute Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, the film exhibits commendable craft in its visual realm and atmosphere, yet suffers from a disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters. Reviewers note the director’s flair for atmospherics and production design but criticize the script’s lack of coherence and emotional stakes. While the soundscape and score contribute to the brooding mood, engagement wanes as the pacing falters. Ultimately, the film’s striking style is overshadowed by its uneven storytelling, resulting in a limited lasting impression.
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 art and craft, the film demonstrates a strong command of visual composition and production design. The director’s atmospheric approach and carefully composed frames earn praise, and the color palette reinforces the cyberpunk milieu. Editing maintains a measured flow during set-piece sequences. Despite occasional inconsistency in set detail, the overall visual execution is one of the film’s clear strengths.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, performances from the lead actors register as a moderate highlight, with Paul Rudd’s portrayal of the antagonist and Sam Rockwell’s restrained lead eliciting occasional resonance. However, many characters lack depth, and emotional connections feel uneven due to sparse development. Chemistry between roles is limited, resulting in characters that intrigue at moments but often fail to sustain engagement.
- Story & Flow 35
In terms of story and flow, the narrative is frequently cited as its weakest element. Observers note that the plot lacks cohesion and originality, undermining the film’s thematic ambitions. Pacing is uneven, with a strong opening giving way to a sluggish middle and an anticlimactic conclusion. The generic crime-thriller structure does little to capitalize on the science-fiction setting, leaving engagement diminished.
- Sensory Experience 65
In its sensory experience, the film cultivates a brooding soundscape and soundtrack that complement the visual atmosphere. Sound design details, such as ambient city noise and electronic tones, effectively evoke the futuristic environment. Visual style maintains cohesion with a muted palette and neon highlights. Occasional overemphasis on moodiness can feel overwhelming, but overall the sensory elements enrich the film’s immersive quality.
- Rewatch Factor 30
Regarding rewatch factor, the film offers limited motivation for repeat viewings. While the distinctive visual style and select performances hold some appeal, the lack of narrative clarity and emotional resonance detract from sustained interest. Viewers may appreciate individual set pieces on revisiting, but the uneven pacing and unresolved plot elements reduce the incentive for multiple viewings. Lasting appeal remains modest.
-
IMDb 5.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 20% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 47%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 35 Metascore
User score 5.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.3 /5
38 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Mute Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Mute from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 2035, Leo, a mute bartender portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, navigates the gritty nightlife of a Berlin strip club owned by Maksim (Gilbert Owuor). Leo, who has been muteness since a childhood accident involving a boat propeller, comes from an Amish background that shuns technology. He is romantically involved with Naadirah (Seyneb Saleh), a waitress who desperately needs money to escape her own troubles.
In an effort to stay connected, Naadirah gifts Leo the oldest mobile phone she could find, symbolizing their bond amidst the chaos. However, crisis strikes when a rowdy customer named Stuart (Noel Clarke) sexually harasses Naadirah, prompting Leo to physically defend her honor.
Full summary
The whole story of Mute, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Mute Box Office
Mute grossed $1,504 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.5K
- International
- $1.5K
Mute Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip Mute : Killing Bill Scene HD
- Clip Scene from Mute Nothing Else Is Important
How Well Do You Know Mute?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What incident caused Leo to become mute?
Cars in Mute
34 cars on screen, including the Hummer HX and the 1962 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé W111.
-
Hummer HX Main role -
1962 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé W111 Main role -
1986 Lada Nova 2105 Minor role -
unknown Minor role
Mute Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Mudo” and “뮤트”.
- Also known as
-
- Mudo
- 뮤트
- Χωρίς Λόγια
- ミュート:2018
- Ням
- Немой
- Bez słowa
- Sessiz Kahraman
- אילם
- 缄默
- A néma
- 默
+7 more Show fewer
- Німий
- Câm Lặng
- بی صدا
- ミュート
- มิวท์
- Nebylys
- Mutul
Seen Mute?
Movies Like Mute
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Silent Resident, Mute and The Silent Sea.
Mute FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Mute, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mute?
Mute runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).
When was Mute released?
Mute was released on February 23, 2018.
Who directed Mute?
Mute was directed by Duncan Jones.
More films by Duncan Jones Who is in the cast of Mute?
Mute stars Alexander Skarsgård as Leo, Gilbert Owuor as Maksim and Seyneb Saleh as Naadirah, among 17 credited actors.
How much did Mute make at the box office?
Mute grossed $1,504 worldwide.
How is Mute rated?
Mute has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.
Does Mute have a post-credit scene?
No. Mute has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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