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Nostalgia (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Nostalgia (2018) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$114.6K
Echo Score
50
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Nostalgia (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Director
Mark Pellington
Genre
Drama
Original language
Italian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
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Cast & crew

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.

Ratings

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).

50 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Nostalgia Box Office

Nostalgia grossed $114,603 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$114.6K

US & Canada
$114.6K
Videos

Nostalgia Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Nostalgia.

NOSTALGIA | Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character in 'Nostalgia'?

Cars

Cars in Nostalgia

15 cars on screen, including the 2000 Buick LeSabre and the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

All 15 cars
  • 2000 Buick LeSabre in Nostalgia 2000 Buick LeSabre Important role
  • 2016 Toyota Tacoma in Nostalgia 2016 Toyota Tacoma Important role
  • Chevrolet Corvair in Nostalgia Chevrolet Corvair Minor role
  • 2003 GMC Savana in Nostalgia 2003 GMC Savana Minor role
Details

Nostalgia Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Носталгия” and “Ностальгия”.

Also known as
  • Носталгия
  • Ностальгия
  • Nosztalgia
  • נוסטלגיה
  • 怀旧
  • 노스텔지어

Seen Nostalgia?

FAQ

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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