Nitram (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Nitram is a 2022 drama thriller directed by Justin Kurzel, starring Caleb Landry Jones as Nitram, Essie Davis and Anthony LaPaglia. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $418,828 worldwide. It won 8 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Direction at the AACTA Awards 2021. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Justin Kurzel
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Nitram About?
The premise of Nitram without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1990s Australia, a young man named Nitram experiences profound isolation and struggles to connect with those around him. He finds a glimmer of hope in Helen, a reclusive heiress who recognizes his feelings of being an outsider. As their relationship develops, a devastating tragedy occurs, pushing Nitram to a breaking point and ultimately leading to a shocking event that deeply affects the community.
Nitram Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- inspired by a true story
- murder
- car accident
- surfing
- dog
- one word title
- australia
- tasmania australia
- hospital
- interview
- fireworks
- father son relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- mother son relationship
- dysfunctional family
- male wears underwear
- sea
- surfer
- surfboard
- slow motion scene
- lawnmower
- lawn mower
- swing
- swinging
- car horn
- cat
- walking a dog
- dog walking
- piano
- playing piano
- out of tune piano
- buying a car
- compressed air gun
- gun
- car crash
- death
- loss of friend
- real estate agent
- son hits father
- destroying a mailbox
- loss of father
- police
- funeral
- father's funeral
- travel agency
- hollywood
- shower
- firearm
- mass murder
- what happened to epilogue
- long haired male
Nitram Cast & Characters
Caleb Landry Jones leads the cast as Nitram, with Essie Davis as Helen and Anthony LaPaglia as Dad. Directed by Justin Kurzel; 13 actors are credited in all.
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Director Justin Kurzel
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Caleb Landry Jones as Nitram -
Essie Davis as Helen -
Anthony LaPaglia as Dad -
Judy Davis as Mum
Also Starring in Nitram
· 9 more- Sean Keenan Jamie
- Jessie Ward Mother
- Rick James
- Annabel Marshall-Roth Real Estate Agent
- Ethan Cook Teacher
- Conrad Brandt Doctor
- Kyan Hugh Mana Walters Schoolboy
- Phoebe Taylor Riley
- Zaidee Ward Young Child
More from Justin Kurzel
More films directed by Justin Kurzel, best-rated first: The Order, True History of the Kelly Gang, Macbeth and Assassin's Creed.
Nitram Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Nitram 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (52).
Nitram Echo Score Breakdown
Nitram presents a stark, uncompromising portrait that divides opinion. Critics largely commend its artistic ambition and powerful performances, while many viewers find the narrative unsettling and the audio uneven. The film’s visual style and thematic focus receive praise, yet its pacing and replay value generate mixed reactions. Overall, the work stands as a provocative character study that resonates with some and alienates others, yielding a moderately positive consensus.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of direction, cinematography, and production design, the film is widely regarded as skillful. Critics note the director's sensitive touch, stark visual composition, and a tone‑poem quality, while users commend the use of light, colour, and atmospheric framing. Some viewers, however, mention uneven editing and grainy sound. The consensus leans toward a strong artistic execution that elevates the material.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating acting and character depth, reviewers consistently acknowledge Caleb Landry Jones' intense performance and strong supporting work from Judy Davis and Anthony LaPaglia. Critics praise the nuanced portrayal of a troubled individual, though a few caution against excessive sympathy. Audience feedback mirrors this split, with high praise from some users and criticism of the protagonist's likability from others. Overall, character work is seen as a notable strength.
- Story & Flow 60
The story’s pacing and structure generate mixed responses. Critics describe the narrative as demanding, reflective, and at times uncomfortable, yet acknowledge its willingness to confront a grim historical event. Some reviews point to a slow start and occasional confusion about plot motivations. User comments similarly reference a confusing introduction and uneven momentum. The film’s originality is praised, but its coherence and flow receive both commendation and critique.
- Sensory Experience 55
Sensory elements such as sound design and visual style attract divergent views. Reviewers highlight effective use of light, colour, and atmospheric sound to convey the protagonist’s inner turmoil, while other critics and users note muffled dialogue, background noise, and an underwhelming soundtrack. The visual composition is generally praised, but audio inconsistencies detract from the overall sensory immersion, resulting in a middling assessment.
- Rewatch Factor 52
Rewatch potential is evaluated as limited. Critics find the film compelling yet emotionally taxing, suggesting it may not invite frequent viewings. User feedback ranges from strong recommendations for educational contexts to remarks about boredom and forgetfulness after a single viewing. The unsettling subject matter and heavy atmosphere reduce its replay appeal, leading to a modest score for rewatch factor.
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IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 81 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
52 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Nitram Plot Summary
What happens in Nitram from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A news segment captures the harrowing aftermath of boys recovering in a burns unit after playing with fireworks, leading one of them to insist he would continue engaging with them.
Nitram is a young adult with intellectual disabilities residing in Port Arthur, Australia, where he lives with his parents. He often delights in setting off fireworks, much to the irritation of the neighbors, and sells them to local schoolchildren. His father recently secured a business loan aimed at purchasing a bed and breakfast, a venture that would also require Nitram’s involvement. In a moment of yearning, Nitram pleads with his mother for a surfboard upon spotting a captivating woman alongside a surfer, only to be met with her sharp refusal.
Full summary
The whole story of Nitram, scene by scene
Nitram Box Office
Nitram grossed $418,828 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$418.8K
- International
- $418.8K
Nitram Awards & Nominations
Nitram won 8 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Direction at the AACTA Awards 2021.
8 wins13 nominations1 ceremony
-
AACTA Awards 2021 8 wins · 13 nominations- Won Best Direction – Justin Kurzel
- Won Best Editing
- Won Best Film
- Won Best Lead Actor – Caleb Landry Jones
- Won Best Lead Actress – Judy Davis
Nitram Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official US Trailer
- Clip "Just Stop" Official Clip
- Featurette Nitram | Interview with Dir. Justin Kurzel
- Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Nitram (2021) | BFI Player
How Well Do You Know Nitram?
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 unusual hobby does Nitram have that causes problems with his neighbors?
Nitram Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “惡的序章” and “니트람”.
- Also known as
-
- 惡的序章
- 니트람
- Нитрам
- 内特拉姆
- ניטראם
- Νίτραμ
- ニトラム/NITRAM
Seen Nitram?
Movies Like Nitram
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Surfer, Jindabyne and The Dry.
Nitram FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Nitram, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Nitram?
Nitram runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was Nitram released?
Nitram was released on March 30, 2022.
Who directed Nitram?
Nitram was directed by Justin Kurzel.
More films by Justin Kurzel Who is in the cast of Nitram?
Nitram stars Caleb Landry Jones as Nitram, Essie Davis as Helen and Anthony LaPaglia as Dad, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Nitram make at the box office?
Nitram grossed $418,828 worldwide.
How is Nitram rated?
Nitram has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
What awards did Nitram win?
Nitram won 8 awards from 13 nominations, including Best Direction at the AACTA Awards 2021.
Does Nitram have a post-credit scene?
No. Nitram has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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