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Drama thriller

Old (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Old (2021) movie poster

Old is a 2021 drama thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Gael García Bernal as Guy, Vicky Krieps and Thomasin McKenzie. It is partly based on Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $90.1 million worldwide on a $18 million budget. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$90.1M
Echo Score
54
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Old (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$18M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Old About?

The premise of Old without spoilers, adapted from Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Seeking a rejuvenating escape, a family discovers that their idyllic vacation spot harbors a dark secret. The sun-drenched beach rapidly ages anyone who sets foot on it, turning adults and children into elderly individuals within a terrifyingly short time. As the relentless process of aging accelerates, they must uncover the mystery behind the phenomenon and fight to survive, confronting their own mortality and the fleeting nature of time.

Old Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • aging
  • rapid aging
  • based on comic book
  • death from rapid aging
  • accelerated aging
  • vacation gone wrong
  • secluded beach
  • family vacation
  • vacation resort
  • escape
  • race against time
  • beach
+38 more
  • death
  • tropical resort
  • beach vacation
  • hidden beach
  • deception
  • unethical medical experiment
  • based on franco belgian comic book
  • corpse
  • cove
  • coded message
  • coral reef
  • swimming in the ocean
  • climbing a cliff
  • doctor
  • nurse
  • police officer
  • brother sister relationship
  • dying of old age
  • death of girlfriend
  • death of husband
  • death of dog
  • rapid healing
  • secret experiment
  • human guinea pig
  • human experimentation
  • unethical experiment
  • unethical experimentation
  • unethical research
  • police
  • helicopter
  • mortality
  • body change
  • body transformation
  • murder
  • impossible situation
  • luxury resort
  • beach resort
  • nature preserve
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Cast & crew

Old Cast & Characters

Gael García Bernal leads the cast as Guy, with Vicky Krieps as Prisca and Thomasin McKenzie as Maddox Aged 16. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Old

· 7 more
Ratings

Old Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Old 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in art & craft (62) and weakest in character & emotion (45).

54 /100

Old Echo Score Breakdown

Old presents a mixed cinematic experience that divides both critics and audiences. While the film’s central premise and visual framing receive occasional praise for originality and composition, inconsistencies in narrative cohesion and character development undermine its impact. The uneven execution leads to a polarized reception, with some viewers finding the concept engaging and others deeming it flawed. Overall, the movie offers moments of intrigue but struggles to maintain a consistent quality across its elements.

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

  • Art & Craft 62

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases moments of striking cinematography and an evocative visual palette. Critics note the camera’s deliberate framing and occasional poetic shots, while some reviewers commend the effective use of practical effects. However, a number of commentators point to clumsy editing, amateurish direction, and lackluster production values that detract from the overall aesthetic. The net impression is a moderately competent visual presentation with notable flaws.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances are widely regarded as uneven. Some audience members highlight strong acting and engaging chemistry, yet many critics describe wooden delivery and implausible character choices. The dialogue often feels stiff, and interactions lack authenticity, limiting emotional resonance. Although a few reviewers appreciate the cast’s effort, the predominant sentiment is that the characters fail to anchor the narrative effectively, resulting in a below‑average rating.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story and flow receive a mixed appraisal, reflecting both inventive premises and structural shortcomings. The film’s core concept of accelerated aging is praised for its originality, and several reviewers find the setup compelling. Conversely, critics and users cite pacing issues, convoluted second‑act developments, and an unsatisfying resolution that weakens narrative cohesion. While the plot offers intriguing moments, the uneven execution leads to an overall moderate assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience is generally regarded as a relative strength, with notable visual style and thoughtful composition. Reviewers commend the deliberate framing, atmospheric lighting, and occasional effective sound design that support the film’s tone. Nonetheless, some commentary points to inconsistent effects and occasional auditory gaps that prevent the sensory elements from fully immersing the audience. The balance of positive and minor negative feedback yields a modestly favorable rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch factor is perceived as average, reflecting a film that intrigues but does not consistently reward repeat viewings. Some critics emphasize its provocative premise and potential for discussion, suggesting lasting appeal for certain viewers. Others, however, describe the narrative as derivative and the pacing as tedious, limiting desirability for additional screenings. Consequently, the overall replay value is assessed as middle‑of‑the‑road.

Plot

Old Plot Summary

What happens in Old 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

The Kapa family, consisting of parents Guy and Prisca, along with their children, eight-year-old Maddox and six-year-old Trent, arrive at an upscale resort for what’s intended to be a memorable family getaway. After settling into their luxurious accommodations, Trent forms a friendship with a boy named Idlib (Kailen Jude), and the two engage in various fun activities, like interviewing other guests about their names and jobs. Behind the scenes, however, Guy and Prisca grapple with the reality of their impending divorce, heightened by Prisca’s distress over a severe stomach tumor.

Full summary

The whole story of Old, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Old Box Office & Budget

Old grossed $90.1 million worldwide on a $18 million budget, 5.0 times what it cost. $48.3 million came from the US and Canada and $41.9 million (46%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$90.1M

5.0× its budget

US & Canada
$48.3M
International
$41.9M
Budget
$18M
US & Canada 54% Rest of the world 46%
Videos

Old Trailers & Videos

15 videos: 1 trailer, 5 teasers, 5 clips, 1 featurette and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 15 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser The Big Game Spot
  • Teaser OLD TV Spot - Hurts
  • Teaser OLD TV Spot - Golden - In Cinemas July 23
  • Teaser OLD TV Spot - Twinkle - In Cinemas July 23
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Old?

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

What is the primary reason for the Kapa family's vacation?

Cars

Cars in Old

2 cars on screen: the 2015 Hyundai H350 and the 2018 Cushman Shuttle 2+2.

  • 2015 Hyundai H350 in Old 2015 Hyundai H350 Minor role
  • 2018 Cushman Shuttle 2+2 in Old 2018 Cushman Shuttle 2+2 Background role
Details

Old Also Known As

36 alternative titles, including “Старое” and “Čas”.

Also known as
  • Старое
  • Čas
  • 올드
  • Viejos M. Night Shyamalan
  • Tempo
  • Viejos
  • Tempo 2021
  • Velho Tempo M. Night Shyamalan
  • Velho Tempo
  • Velho M. Night Shyamalan
  • Tempo M. Night Shyamalan
  • Tempo (M. Night Shyamalan)
+24 more
  • โอลด์
  • Anormal
  • Ծեր
  • Tiempo
  • Время
  • Idő
  • Час
  • זמן
  • Ostarjeli
  • Zamanda Tutsak
  • 老去
  • Senatvė
  • شاطئ الشيخوخة
  • 詭老
  • Presos no Tempo
  • オールド
  • Стари
  • В капана на времето
  • Già
  • پیری, დრო
  • Old: Prizonierii timpului
  • Laiks
  • ओल्ड
  • Vanad

Seen Old?

FAQ

Old FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Old, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Old?

Old runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Old released?

Old was released on July 23, 2021.

Who directed Old?

Old was directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

More films by M. Night Shyamalan

Who is in the cast of Old?

Old stars Gael García Bernal as Guy, Vicky Krieps as Prisca and Thomasin McKenzie as Maddox Aged 16, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Old make at the box office?

Old grossed $90.1 million worldwide ($48.3 million domestic, $41.9 million international) on a budget of $18 million.

How is Old rated?

Old has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Is Old based on a book?

Yes. Old is partly adapted from Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy, Frederik Peeters and Nora Mahony.

Does Old have a post-credit scene?

No. Old has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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