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What's After the Movie?
Historical drama

Origin (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Origin (2023) movie poster

Origin is a 2023 historical drama directed by Ava DuVernay, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson, Myles Frost and Cristin König. It is based on Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $4.8 million worldwide on a $38 million budget. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Stream it on Kanopy.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$4.8M
Echo Score
80
Origin (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Director
Ava DuVernay
Genres
Drama , History
Original language
English
Budget
$38M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Origin About?

The premise of Origin without spoilers, adapted from Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following a profound personal loss, Isabel begins a journey to uncover the truth, researching historical events to create a significant work that challenges and redefines American identity. Through her dedication and passion, she produces a powerful masterpiece that expands the limits of human understanding.

Origin Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • caste system
  • female writer
  • interracial relationship
  • reference to random house
  • germany
  • india
  • asian indian
  • book burning
  • dalit
  • african american
  • black american
  • segregation
+38 more
  • untouchable
  • little league baseball
  • interracial marriage
  • isabel wilkerson character
  • title directed by female
  • white male black female relationship
  • class system
  • lynching
  • social control
  • social division
  • nazi germany
  • death of mother
  • racism
  • united states of america
  • nazi
  • trayvon martin character
  • plumber
  • make america great again
  • society
  • street market
  • husband wife relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • cousin cousin relationship
  • death of husband
  • humanism
  • swimming pool
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • jew
  • voice over narration
  • joseph goebbels character
  • library
  • social conditioning
  • varna
  • social conscience
  • culture
  • social anthropology
  • social stratification
Where to watch

Where to Watch Origin

Stream it on Kanopy. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Stream 1

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Origin Cast & Characters

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor leads the cast as Isabel Wilkerson, with Myles Frost as Trayvon Martin and Cristin König as Nazi Librarian. Directed by Ava DuVernay; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Origin

· 16 more
Ratings

Origin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Origin 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Origin Echo Score Breakdown

Origin excels in its intellectual ambition and emotive lead performance despite occasional narrative unevenness. The film’s assured direction delivers a sweeping visual odyssey that underscores its thematic weight. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s magnetic presence infuses the drama with dignity, while the blend of documentary and personal storytelling offers sustained engagement. Though its hybrid structure can feel fragmented at times, the overall experience remains thought-provoking and resonant.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Origin offers a confident directorial vision punctuated by expansive visual compositions. The production design effectively transports viewers between academic settings and historical locales in Germany and India. While the editing occasionally contributes to a sense of structural clutter, the cinematography and overall visual cohesion maintain an engaging spectacle. Overall, the craft work consistently reinforces the film’s thematic goals.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by a nuanced central performance that conveys both intellectual rigor and personal vulnerability. Supporting roles contribute meaningful texture without overshadowing the protagonist’s journey. Emotional stakes are elevated by measured scenes of personal loss and academic discovery. The result is a character-driven narrative that consistently resonates on an intimate level.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, Origin ambitiously intertwines documentary elements with dramatized sequences to explore complex ideas. The narrative introduces compelling themes of caste and societal hierarchy, but the convergence of multiple threads can at times feel disjointed. Pacing fluctuates between brisk academic exposition and slower personal moments. Despite these structural tensions, the plot retains original insights and sustained intellectual engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Regarding sensory experience, the film employs an understated sound design and a contemplative musical score to support its educational thrust. Visual style leans toward naturalistic lighting and measured color palettes, accentuating both historical recreations and present-day explorations. While the sensory elements never overwhelm, they consistently uphold the film’s reflective tone. Overall, the audiovisual approach enhances thematic clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    With respect to rewatch value, Origin’s rich thematic layers reward repeat viewings aimed at unpacking its nuanced ideas. The interplay between personal narrative and broader social commentary invites reconsideration of key scenes. Although the hybrid structure may feel more seamless on subsequent passes, the enduring appeal lies in its thought-provoking concepts. Ultimately, the film’s lasting intellectual resonance motivates multiple viewings.

Plot

Origin Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Origin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, writer Isabel Wilkerson Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery as she writes Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The film uses Wilkerson’s scholarly drive to thread together big questions about how people are sorted into hierarchies, insisting that prejudice is not limited to race alone but is deeply shaped by the idea of caste that orders society from birth to death.

Full summary

The whole story of Origin, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Origin Box Office & Budget

Origin grossed $4.8 million worldwide on a $38 million budget, 13% of what it cost. $4.7 million came from the US and Canada and $147,361 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.8M

13% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4.7M
International
$147.4K
Budget
$38M
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Videos

Origin Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 4 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 9 videos
Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Acclaim 30"
  • Teaser Thrilling 30"
  • Featurette ORIGIN at TIFF 2023 Q&A with Ava DuVernay
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Origin?

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 writer protagonist who embarks on a global investigation in the film?

Details

Origin Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Caste” and “Origin - Desigualdade e Preconceito”.

Also known as
  • Caste
  • Origin - Desigualdade e Preconceito
  • 오리진
  • 起源
  • Истоки
  • 美國不平等的起源
  • Származás
  • Kilmė
  • Origem

Seen Origin?

FAQ

Origin FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Origin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Origin?

Origin runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Origin released?

Origin was released on December 8, 2023.

Who directed Origin?

Origin was directed by Ava DuVernay.

More films by Ava DuVernay

Who is in the cast of Origin?

Origin stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson, Myles Frost as Trayvon Martin and Cristin König as Nazi Librarian, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch Origin?

In the US, Origin is streaming on Kanopy (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Origin make at the box office?

Origin grossed $4.8 million worldwide ($4.7 million domestic, $147,361 international) on a budget of $38 million.

How is Origin rated?

Origin has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Is Origin based on a book?

Yes. Origin is adapted from Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

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