Old (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $18M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
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- 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
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.
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Director M. Night Shyamalan
-
Gael García Bernal as Guy -
Vicky Krieps as Prisca -
Thomasin McKenzie as Maddox Aged 16 -
Embeth Davidtz as Adult Maddox
Also Starring in Old
· 7 more- Alex Wolff Trent Aged 15
- Rufus Sewell Charles
- Abbey Lee Chrystal
- Eliza Scanlen Kara Aged 15
- Ken Leung Jarin
- Aaron Pierre Mid-Sized Sedan
- Nikki Amuka Bird
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).
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.
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IMDb 5.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 53%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 5.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.4 /5
210 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$90.1M
5.0× its budget
- US & Canada
- $48.3M
- International
- $41.9M
- Budget
- $18M
Old Trailers & Videos
15 videos: 1 trailer, 5 teasers, 5 clips, 1 featurette and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.
- 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
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
- 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
What is the primary reason for the Kapa family's vacation?
Cars in Old
2 cars on screen: the 2015 Hyundai H350 and the 2018 Cushman Shuttle 2+2.
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2015 Hyundai H350 Minor role -
2018 Cushman Shuttle 2+2 Background role
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)
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- 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?
Movies Like Old
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Old Man, A Distant Scream and Adulthood.
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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