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Drama

Oh, Canada (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Oh, Canada (2024) movie poster

Oh, Canada is a 2024 drama directed by Paul Schrader, starring Kristine Froseth as Alicia Fife, Orlagh Cassidy and Richard Gere. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
worldwide gross
$1.3M
Echo Score
61
Metascore
65
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Oh, Canada (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Paul Schrader
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Oh, Canada About?

The premise of Oh, Canada without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Leonard Fife, an aging and ailing filmmaker, is determined to tell his life story in an unfiltered way before time runs out. A director known for acclaimed documentary exposés, he confronts difficult truths about his past, including his decision to avoid the Vietnam War draft and his past relationships.

Oh, Canada Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • canada
  • draft dodger
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • draft
  • montreal quebec canada
  • richmond virginia
  • miscarriage
  • year 1968
  • based on novel
  • bare chested male
  • hairy chest
+38 more
  • canadian american
  • life
  • country in title
  • country name in title
  • place name in title
  • place in title
  • comma in title
  • two word title
  • conscription
  • title based on song
  • man in a jockstrap
  • north america
  • mustache
  • character says i love you
  • aspiring writer
  • nonlinear timeline
  • title appears in song
  • act of cowardice
  • father meets unknown son
  • documentary filmmaker
  • told in flashback
  • death of protagonist
  • reference to t.s. eliot
  • reference to herman melville
  • first person narration
  • u.s. canadian border
  • cowardice
  • film festival
  • reference to sigmund freud
  • year 2023
  • infidelity
  • celebrity interview
  • womanizer
  • older version of character
  • business proposal
  • title spoken by character
  • male butt
  • hairy chested male
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Cast & crew

Oh, Canada Cast & Characters

Kristine Froseth leads the cast as Alicia Fife, with Orlagh Cassidy as Sarah Fife and Richard Gere as Leo Fife. Directed by Paul Schrader; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Oh, Canada

· 9 more
From the director

More from Paul Schrader

More films directed by Paul Schrader, best-rated first: Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Blue Collar, Affliction and Light Sleeper.

Full filmography
Ratings

Oh, Canada Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Oh, Canada 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (40).

61 /100

Oh, Canada Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall reception, Oh, Canada offers a blend of notable strengths and recurring weaknesses. Reviews consistently praise its meticulous visual design and nuanced lead performance while highlighting uneven dialogue and structural lapses. Several critics note an elegiac tone and moments of genuine engagement, but many viewers find the nonlinear approach disorienting. The result is a film that excels in mood and craft yet struggles with narrative clarity, leaving a mixed but moderately positive net 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 visual craft, Oh, Canada excels in its cinematography and precise editing. Critics highlight varied camera work and measured pacing of scenes, noting a coherent visual tone despite the film’s confined settings. Some find Schrader’s stylistic restraint purposeful but occasionally rigid. Overall, the film’s art direction and craft deliver compelling imagery throughout.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character elements, performances are often lauded but depth varies. The lead portrayal commands attention with subtle emotional control, earning consistent acclaim. However, several supporting roles exhibit uneven dialogue and limited dimensionality, creating a tonal imbalance. The net result is an engaging central presence offset by underdeveloped secondary characters.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of narrative structure, Oh, Canada displays ambition but struggles with coherence. The nonlinear flashbacks and abrupt timeline shifts elicit disorientation, and some plot points feel insufficiently grounded. While the story’s underlying themes and originality receive recognition, the uneven pacing and structural ambiguities undermine engagement. Overall, the plot delivers compelling ideas but falters in execution.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, the film excels in its visual style and editorial rhythm. Reviewers commend the varied cinematography and deliberate framing, which establish a cohesive aesthetic. Though the sound design and score receive fewer mentions, the overall atmosphere remains immersive. Consequently, the sensory elements contribute significant emotional weight and consistency to the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch value, Oh, Canada presents limited replay appeal due to its narrative complexity and emotional distance. The intricate structure and uneven pacing can deter repeated viewings, as the nonlinear approach lessens clarity on subsequent watches. Nonetheless, its reverberating themes and strong visual tone may reward dedicated viewers. Ultimately, the film offers modest lasting appeal.

Plot

Oh, Canada Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Oh, Canada from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Filmmaker Leonard “Leo” Fife, portrayed by Richard Gere, is facing the final stages of his battle with cancer. Revered as a hero by the progressive community in Canada, Leo is best known for his impactful muckraking documentaries that have captivated audiences and sparked conversation about important social issues. His life story is rich with intrigue and complexity, including the legend that he fled from the United States to Montreal to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Subsequently, he embarked on a Kerouac-inspired road trip to Castro’s communist Cuba.

Full summary

The whole story of Oh, Canada, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Oh, Canada Box Office

Oh, Canada grossed $1.3 million worldwide. $200,980 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3M

US & Canada
$201K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

Oh, Canada Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips, 5 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Clip: "People Will Talk"
  • Clip Clip: "All You Have Left Is Your Past"
  • Featurette Paul Schrader, Uma Thurman, and Michael Imperioli on Oh, Canada
  • Featurette Paul Schrader on Oh, Canada
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Oh, Canada?

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

Which actor portrays the terminally ill documentary filmmaker Leonard 'Leo' Fife?

Details

Oh, Canada Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “O” and “Kanado!”.

Also known as
  • O
  • Kanado!
  • Oh Canada
  • О
  • Канада
  • Oo
  • Kanada
  • Канадець
  • 오
  • 캐나다
  • Oh
  • Canada - I tradimenti
+4 more
  • 噢,加拿大
  • הו
  • קנדה
  • Canadá

Seen Oh, Canada?

FAQ

Oh, Canada FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Oh, Canada?

Oh, Canada runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Oh, Canada released?

Oh, Canada was released on December 6, 2024.

Who directed Oh, Canada?

Oh, Canada was directed by Paul Schrader.

More films by Paul Schrader

Who is in the cast of Oh, Canada?

Oh, Canada stars Kristine Froseth as Alicia Fife, Orlagh Cassidy as Sarah Fife and Richard Gere as Leo Fife, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Oh, Canada make at the box office?

Oh, Canada grossed $1.3 million worldwide ($200,980 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Oh, Canada rated?

Oh, Canada has 5.6/10 on IMDb and 65 on Metacritic.

Does Oh, Canada have a post-credit scene?

No. Oh, Canada has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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