Nostalgia (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Nostalgia is a 2018 drama directed by Mark Pellington, starring Bruce Dern as Ronnie, Amber Tamblyn and Ellen Burstyn. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $114,603 worldwide. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 54m (114 min)
- Director
- Mark Pellington
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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Italian
- Studio
- Bleecker Street Media
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Nostalgia About?
The premise of Nostalgia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A poignant exploration of love, longing, and remembrance, this film intricately connects ordinary lives through shared moments and cherished objects. Each item acts as a trigger, unlocking extraordinary stories and revealing the deep connections that shape our human experiences and define who we are. It's a delicate weaving of tales, rich in emotion and reflection.
Nostalgia Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- love
Nostalgia Cast & Characters
Bruce Dern leads the cast as Ronnie, with Amber Tamblyn as Bethany and Ellen Burstyn as Helen. Directed by Mark Pellington; 17 actors are credited in all.
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Director Mark Pellington
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Bruce Dern as Ronnie -
Amber Tamblyn as Bethany -
Ellen Burstyn as Helen -
Nick Offerman as Henry
Also Starring in Nostalgia
· 13 more- Jon Hamm Will
- Catherine Keener Donna
- Annalise Basso Tallie
- James LeGros
- Patton Oswalt
- Joanna Going Marge
- Beth Grant Anna O'Bryan
- Arye Gross Riley O'Bryan
- Chloe Farnworth
- Shinelle Azoroh Waitress
- Hugo Armstrong Jim Singer
- Lindsey Kraft Tobey
- Tiffany Dion
Nostalgia Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Nostalgia 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
Nostalgia Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Nostalgia presents a mixture of strong performances and thoughtful visuals undermined by a diffuse narrative and deliberate pacing. While the ensemble cast delivers earnest and nuanced performances, the film’s episodic structure and repetitive thematic beats give it a ponderous momentum that some viewers may find taxing. The cinematography and music score lend a reflective atmosphere, yet the heavy focus on loss can feel unrelenting over its full runtime. Ultimately, the film’s merits in craft and emotion are counterbalanced by its uneven storytelling, resulting in a somewhat uneven experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates intermittent stylistic flair through considered framing and evocative production design. The photography often delivers an understated color palette that suits the reflective mood, though the direction occasionally lacks rhythmic cohesion. Editing choices emphasize contemplative stillness, but at times contribute to a sluggish flow. Overall, the visual craft is competent but uneven.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to character and emotion, Nostalgia benefits from a committed ensemble that brings emotional sincerity to each role. Lead and supporting performances often deliver nuanced moments, fostering genuine empathy for individual struggles. However, many characters receive limited development, leaving their arcs feeling fragmentary. While several figures resonate deeply, the uneven depth across the cast weakens the overall emotional engagement.
- Story & Flow 30
Regarding story and flow, the film’s episodic structure aims to interlink multiple narratives under themes of memory and mortality. The pacing is deliberately measured, yet the frequent returns to somber reflections can stall forward momentum. While the thematic ambition is evident, repeated philosophical dialogue and vague plot connections undermine narrative coherence. In sum, the story feels fragmented and overextended.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, the score and soundtrack craft a contemplative atmosphere that underscores the film’s themes of loss. Sound design remains restrained, allowing dialogue and ambient textures to coexist quietly. Visually, the cohesive use of muted tones enhances the reflective mood. Overall, the sensory elements elevate the emotional tenor, despite the film’s somber bent.
- Rewatch Factor 30
When considering rewatch value, the film’s reflective themes and strong moments of performance offer points of renewed appreciation. Nonetheless, the unrelenting solemnity and episodic narrative may render repeated viewings taxing. The contemplative atmosphere and occasional visual artistry could reward a second look, but the overall heaviness likely limits its lasting appeal.
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IMDb 5.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 89% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 78%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 47 Metascore
User score 3.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
Nostalgia Plot Summary
What happens in Nostalgia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A captivating tapestry of narratives centered on love and loss, this film delves deep into our connections with objects, artifacts, and the memories they evoke.
The story opens at a diner where middle-aged insurance agent Daniel Kalman (John Ortiz) admires the beautiful sentimental jewelry worn by a waitress. His journey leads him to visit Ronald Ashemore (Bruce Dern), an elderly architect in his eighties who lives off his pension. Daniel’s primary goal is to evaluate Ronald’s belongings on behalf of his granddaughter Bethany (Amber Tamblyn). He successfully identifies several items that hold enough significance for an appraiser to examine further.
Full summary
The whole story of Nostalgia, scene by scene
Nostalgia Box Office
Nostalgia grossed $114,603 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$114.6K
- US & Canada
- $114.6K
Nostalgia Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Nostalgia.
How Well Do You Know Nostalgia?
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
Who is the main character in 'Nostalgia'?
Cars in Nostalgia
15 cars on screen, including the 2000 Buick LeSabre and the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.
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2000 Buick LeSabre Important role -
2016 Toyota Tacoma Important role -
Chevrolet Corvair Minor role -
2003 GMC Savana Minor role
Nostalgia Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Носталгия” and “Ностальгия”.
- Also known as
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- Носталгия
- Ностальгия
- Nosztalgia
- נוסטלגיה
- 怀旧
- 노스텔지어
Seen Nostalgia?
Movies Like Nostalgia
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Nostalgia for the Countryside, Touch and Daddy Nostalgia.
Nostalgia FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Nostalgia, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Nostalgia?
Nostalgia runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).
When was Nostalgia released?
Nostalgia was released on February 16, 2018.
Who directed Nostalgia?
Nostalgia was directed by Mark Pellington.
More films by Mark Pellington Who is in the cast of Nostalgia?
Nostalgia stars Bruce Dern as Ronnie, Amber Tamblyn as Bethany and Ellen Burstyn as Helen, among 17 credited actors.
How much did Nostalgia make at the box office?
Nostalgia grossed $114,603 worldwide.
How is Nostalgia rated?
Nostalgia has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.
Does Nostalgia have a post-credit scene?
No. Nostalgia has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Nostalgia in?
The original language of Nostalgia is Italian.
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