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Biographical thriller

Operation Finale (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Operation Finale (2018) movie poster

Operation Finale is a 2018 biographical thriller directed by Chris Weitz, starring Ben Kingsley as Adolf Eichmann, Greta Scacchi and Joe Alwyn. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $17.6 million worldwide on a $24 million budget. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
60%
worldwide gross
$17.6M
Echo Score
56
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Operation Finale (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
Chris Weitz
Original language
English
Budget
$24M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Operation Finale About?

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

Following World War II, a clandestine Israeli team undertakes a dangerous mission to capture Adolf Eichmann, a key figure in the Holocaust hiding in Argentina. Agent Peter Malkin leads the operation, which involves a delicate and tense pursuit as they attempt to bring Eichmann to justice, raising complex questions about morality and the pursuit of accountability for terrible crimes.

Operation Finale Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • year 1954
  • year 1960
  • year 1944
  • holocaust
  • year 1939
  • year 1945
  • argentine
  • year 1906
  • israel
  • nazi hunter
  • 1960s
  • nazi
+38 more
  • mossad
  • war criminal
  • based on true story
  • reference to napoleon bonaparte
  • reference to adolf eichmann
  • adolf eichmann trial
  • journey shown on map
  • rendition
  • austria
  • buenos aires argentina
  • movie theater
  • tel aviv israel
  • german in argentina
  • phone rings during dinner
  • interrogation
  • ex medic
  • applause
  • prologue
  • montage
  • map
  • signature
  • painting
  • swastika
  • watching a movie
  • theater audience
  • father daughter relationship
  • giving a toast
  • wine
  • typewriter
  • israeli flag
  • catholic
  • slaughter
  • final solution
  • gymnasium
  • physical training
  • mirror
  • forest
  • rifle
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Cast & crew

Operation Finale Cast & Characters

Ben Kingsley leads the cast as Adolf Eichmann, with Greta Scacchi as Vera Eichmann and Joe Alwyn as Klaus Eichmann. Directed by Chris Weitz; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Operation Finale

· 12 more
From the director

More from Chris Weitz

More films directed by Chris Weitz, best-rated first: About a Boy, A Better Life, American Pie and The Golden Compass.

Full filmography
Ratings

Operation Finale Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Operation Finale 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

56 /100

Operation Finale Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall reception, Operation Finale delivers compelling performances but is constrained by formulaic craft and uneven pacing. Reviewers consistently highlight the strength of the lead actors and moments of dramatic tension, yet also note an often predictable narrative that slows in its latter half. While the film is competently made, production choices and an ordinary execution prevent it from rising above typical historical thrillers. The net impression is one of moderate accomplishment with limited distinctiveness.

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, Operation Finale exhibits competent workmanship but rarely ventures beyond conventional execution. Critics and audiences note well-constructed sets and functional editing, yet also cite formulaic direction and minimal camera variation. A few personal directorial touches add occasional interest, but overall the film’s visual style remains serviceable and unadventurous. These elements yield a technically solid yet mundane presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by powerful leading performances. Reviewers uniformly praise the chemistry between Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingsley and note moments of genuine dramatic tension, though some find Isaac’s portrayal uneven in directionally heavy scenes. The strong acting elevates the emotional core despite occasional unevenness.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, this film delivers a straightforward yet somewhat predictable narrative structure. Critics and viewers find the central mission engaging at times, especially in the Buenos Aires sequences, but cite formulaic plotting and lapses into slow, talky pacing that undermine overall momentum. The story feels serviceable but lacks sustained originality and drive.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of the sensory experience, the film offers mixed impact across its audio and visual elements. Some viewers praise the occasional graphic imagery and clear sound design, while others criticize a bland musical score and minimalist cinematography that limit emotional immersion. The result is an uneven sensory profile.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    With respect to rewatch value, this film offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. Its formulaic approach and predictable pacing often overshadow the strongest dramatic moments, and few narrative surprises remain on subsequent viewings. While the core premise retains some interest, the overall replay appeal is modest.

Plot

Operation Finale Plot Summary

What happens in Operation Finale 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

After the conclusion of World War II, the architect of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), vanishes as other Nazi leaders opt for suicide, escaping accountability for their heinous actions. Years later, we meet Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac), a Mossad agent whose pursuit of a Nazi war criminal in Austria goes awry when he accidentally kills an innocent man, tarnishing his professional reputation.

Full summary

The whole story of Operation Finale, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Operation Finale Box Office & Budget

Operation Finale grossed $17.6 million worldwide on a $24 million budget, 73% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$17.6M

73% of its budget back

US & Canada
$17.6M
Budget
$24M
Videos

Operation Finale Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Operation Finale.

OPERATION FINALE | Official Trailer | MGM
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Operation Finale?

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 plays Adolf Eichmann in 'Operation Finale'?

Cars

Cars in Operation Finale

11 cars on screen, including the Auto Union Unknown and the 1951 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air.

All 11 cars
  • Auto Union Unknown in Operation Finale Auto Union Unknown Important role
  • 1951 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air in Operation Finale 1951 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air Important role
  • 1962 Renault Gordini in Operation Finale 1962 Renault Gordini Important role
  • Willys unknown in Operation Finale Willys unknown Important role
Details

Operation Finale Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Eichmann” and “Mivtza Finale”.

Also known as
  • Eichmann
  • Mivtza Finale
  • Επιχείρηση: Φινάλε
  • Ейхман
  • Operación final
  • Операция «Финал»
  • Операция "Край"
  • Opération Finale
  • מבצע פינאלה
  • 오퍼레이션 피날레
  • Operace Eichmann
  • Ostateczna operacja
+17 more
  • Operation Eichmann
  • Operação Final
  • Final Operasyonu
  • Operation Finale - Kuoleman asiamies
  • Операција Финале
  • Operațiunea Finalul
  • 最终行动
  • A végső hadművelet
  • Operation Eichmann - Jakten på rettferdighet
  • 最終行動
  • Galutinis sprendimas, ოპერაცია ფინალი
  • Операція «Фінал»
  • Eichmann: Strojca konečného riešenia
  • オペレーション・フィナーレ
  • Chiến Dịch Cuối Cùng
  • 納粹終章
  • Operacija Finale

Seen Operation Finale?

FAQ

Operation Finale FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Operation Finale?

Operation Finale runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Operation Finale released?

Operation Finale was released on August 29, 2018.

Who directed Operation Finale?

Operation Finale was directed by Chris Weitz.

More films by Chris Weitz

Who is in the cast of Operation Finale?

Operation Finale stars Ben Kingsley as Adolf Eichmann, Greta Scacchi as Vera Eichmann and Joe Alwyn as Klaus Eichmann, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Operation Finale make at the box office?

Operation Finale grossed $17.6 million worldwide on a budget of $24 million.

How is Operation Finale rated?

Operation Finale has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Operation Finale have a post-credit scene?

No. Operation Finale has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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