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Action drama

Okja (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Okja (2017) movie poster

Okja is a 2017 action drama directed by Joon-ho Bong, starring Tilda Swinton, Seo-Hyeon Ahn and Jake Gyllenhaal. It runs 2 hours and earned $2 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$2M
Echo Score
81
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Okja (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Joon-ho Bong
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$50M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Okja About?

The premise of Okja without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young girl's life takes an unexpected turn when her extraordinary, giant animal companion, Okja, is reclaimed by the powerful multinational corporation that gifted her years before. Determined to reunite with her friend, she sets out on a dangerous quest, facing numerous obstacles and uncovering a disturbing truth about the company's practices and the broader world of food production. Along the way, she encounters a diverse group of individuals who join her fight to save Okja.

Okja Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • animal rights activist
  • meat industry
  • animal liberation front
  • south korea
  • animal lover
  • animal rescue
  • animal activist
  • animal liberation
  • compassion
  • factory farming
  • language barrier
  • activist
+38 more
  • animal liberation movement
  • strong female lead
  • tough girl
  • heroine
  • tough woman
  • animal character name as title
  • female protagonist
  • saving a life
  • rescue
  • giant animal
  • slaughter house
  • slaughter
  • beef
  • transgenic
  • mad scientist
  • female animal
  • piglet
  • zoologist
  • strong female character
  • character name in title
  • hanging from a rope
  • okja character
  • psychotronic film
  • businesswoman
  • kaiju
  • biotech sci fi
  • twins
  • hanging from a rooftop
  • jumping onto a moving truck
  • jumping onto a moving vehicle
  • one word title
  • name in title
  • animal name in title
  • home
  • mountain
  • foot injury
  • liar
  • child
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Cast & crew

Okja Cast

Tilda Swinton leads the cast, with Seo-Hyeon Ahn and Jake Gyllenhaal. Directed by Joon-ho Bong; 9 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Okja Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Okja 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (70).

81 /100

Okja Echo Score Breakdown

Okja delivers a visually striking and emotionally resonant experience, albeit one marked by occasional narrative unevenness. The film’s imaginative production design and sweeping cinematography are frequently praised for their baroque grandeur and pastoral charm, while its central relationship between Mija and her superpig offers genuine emotional warmth. However, several critics noted a predictable climax and jarring tonal shifts that undercut overall cohesion. Ultimately, Okja stands out for its memorable style and heartfelt core.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    When it comes to art and craft, Okja excels in visual ambition and directorial flair. Many reviewers highlighted the sweeping cinematography and intricate production design, noting an effective blend of pastoral landscapes and stylized set pieces. Occasional remarks about small-scale presentation did little to overshadow the film’s bold visual storytelling. The net impression is one of striking, imaginative craft.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    In terms of character and emotion, Okja offers heartfelt performances and a compelling bond between its leads. Observers praised the nuanced portrayal of Mija and the sincere warmth of her relationship with the creature, although some found certain supporting turns uneven. Chemistry fluctuations and an over-the-top style occasionally disrupt emotional depth. Overall, the film maintains a poignant core through its central characters.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story and flow, Okja presents an imaginative premise that occasionally falters in pacing and coherence. Many notes highlight the emotional journey of the protagonists and the film’s thematic resonance regarding consumerism, yet predictability and abrupt tonal shifts undermine narrative momentum. While the parable structure engages at times, intermittent unevenness detracts from seamless engagement. The net impression is a story of mixed clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    In terms of sensory experience, Okja delivers an immersive audiovisual palette anchored by lush visuals and a cohesive soundscape. Critics highlighted the film’s effective use of natural Korean vistas and stylized set pieces alongside a fitting musical backdrop, although detailed remarks on sound design were scarce. The interplay of visual flair and measured sound elements sustains engagement. Overall, the sensory presentation remains a standout feature.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch factor, Okja offers a memorable bond and thought-provoking moments that encourage repeat viewings. The film’s thematic depth around animal rights and capitalism registers strongly, and the emotional resonance of key sequences tends to linger. Some viewers noted that predictability and tonal unevenness may reduce immediate replay appeal, yet the imaginative visuals and central relationship provide lasting curiosity. The overall rewatch value remains solid.

Plot

Okja Plot Summary

What happens in Okja 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

In 2007, Lucy Mirando, portrayed by Tilda Swinton, ascends to the role of CEO of the Mirando Corporation, following in the footsteps of her controversial grandfather, father, and ruthless twin sister, Nancy. She makes a groundbreaking announcement about the breeding of a remarkable type of super pig, with plans to distribute twenty-six of these exceptional animals across the globe. A decade later, the finest among them will be declared the winner.

Full summary

The whole story of Okja, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Okja Box Office & Budget

Okja grossed $2 million worldwide on a $50 million budget.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

International
$2M
Budget
$50M
Videos

Okja Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 6 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer 2
  • Teaser
  • Featurette A Message from Lucy Mirando
  • Featurette Meet Mija
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Okja?

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 CEO of the Mirando Corporation at the beginning of the film?

Details

Okja Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “オクジャ/okja:2017” and “옥자”.

Also known as
  • オクジャ/okja:2017
  • 옥자
  • אוקג'ה
  • Окча
  • 玉子
  • Όκτζα
  • Окја
  • Окджа
  • オクジャ/okja
  • Siêu lợn Okja, ოკჯა
  • أوكجا
  • โอคจา

Seen Okja?

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FAQ

Okja FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Okja?

Okja runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Okja released?

Okja was released on June 28, 2017.

Who directed Okja?

Okja was directed by Joon-ho Bong.

More films by Joon-ho Bong

Who is in the cast of Okja?

Okja stars Tilda Swinton, Seo-Hyeon Ahn and Jake Gyllenhaal, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Okja make at the box office?

Okja grossed $2 million worldwide on a budget of $50 million.

How is Okja rated?

Okja has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Does Okja have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Okja has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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