Phantom Thread (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Phantom Thread is a 2017 romantic drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Lesley Manville as Cyril, Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $52.2 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 3 awards in all. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 10m (130 min)
- Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Focus Features
- Budget
- $35M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Phantom Thread About?
The premise of Phantom Thread without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In 1950s London, renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril maintain a meticulously controlled world at the height of British fashion. Reynolds’ stunning designs captivate royalty and celebrities, while a succession of women briefly grace his life, inspiring his artistry. However, the arrival of Alma, a passionate and independent woman, disrupts his carefully constructed routine, leading to unexpected complications and a challenge to his dominance.
Phantom Thread Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dressmaker
- fashion designer
- dysfunctional relationship
- brother sister relationship
- 1950s
- fashion house
- wedding dress
- controlling husband
- bachelor
- older man younger woman relationship
- waitress
- couturier
+38 more Show fewer
- haute couture
- wedding
- london england
- poisoning
- marriage
- doctor
- husband wife relationship
- class differences
- female poisoner
- dress
- fashion
- restaurant
- muse
- companion
- princess
- resting one's head on someone's lap
- food
- 16 year old
- fashion shoot
- poisoned
- cooking
- breakfast
- illness
- measuring tape
- couture
- marriage as hell
- new year's eve
- new year's eve party
- argument
- dress fitting
- fashion show
- marriage proposal
- obsession
- surprise
- getting dressed
- drunken woman
- fainting
- confrontation
Phantom Thread Cast & Characters
Lesley Manville leads the cast as Cyril, with Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock and Vicky Krieps as Alma. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson; 22 actors are credited in all.
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Director Paul Thomas Anderson
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Lesley Manville as Cyril -
Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock -
Vicky Krieps as Alma -
Camilla Rutherford as Johanna
Also Starring in Phantom Thread
· 18 more- Jack Gordon
- Richard Graham
- Bern Collaco
- Jane Perry
- Dave Simon
- Harriet Leitch Pippa
- Jason Redshaw
- Ingrid Sophie Schram
- Cedric Tylleman
- Pip Phillips
- Joan Brown Nana
- Sue Clark Biddy
- Sarah Lamesch
- Dinah Nicholson Elsa
- Elli Banks Elli
- Julie Duck Irma
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Paul Thomas Anderson
More films directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, best-rated first: There Will Be Blood, Licorice Pizza, Boogie Nights and One Battle After Another.
Phantom Thread Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Phantom Thread 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Phantom Thread Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of overall impact, Phantom Thread stands out for its meticulous craftsmanship and measured emotional depth. Reviews highlight its elegant direction, sumptuous production design, and absorbing performances, though a deliberate pacing and elliptical narrative may feel dry or cryptic at times. The film’s striking aesthetic and nuanced character interactions create a richly layered experience. Despite its modest pace, it rewards attentive viewers with lasting resonance and refined artistic ambition.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 92
ART & Craft shines through the film’s elegant direction and refined visual composition. Observations note fluid camerawork, meticulous set pieces, and an understated color palette that evokes a period aesthetic. Production design and editing maintain a poised rhythm, supporting the narrative’s formality. Overall, the film’s technical artistry is consistently exemplary.
- Character & Emotion 88
Character & Emotion benefit from commanding performances and nuanced interpersonal dynamics. The lead portrayal exhibits precise emotional shifts and compelling chemistry, while supporting roles add depth to familial and romantic tensions. Reviews note occasional emotional reserve, yet the detailed character study delivers subtle resonance. In conclusion, the performances anchor the film’s emotional core.
- Story & Flow 70
Story & Flow reveal a deliberate, episodic structure that emphasizes mood over narrative propulsion. Critics and viewers mention a thin, cryptic plot and unhurried pacing that may feel stagnant. However, the unfolding character interactions and thematic subtleties sustain engagement for those attuned to its rhythm. The overall narrative remains understated, favoring introspection over momentum.
- Sensory Experience 92
Sensory Experience is a prominent strength, with an evocative score, refined sound design, and cohesive visual style. Viewers and critics note a softly paced piano motif, immersive soundscapes, and a controlled color palette that enhances period authenticity. Editing rhythms complement the audio-visual synergy. Altogether, the film offers a richly textured sensory environment.
- Rewatch Factor 85
Rewatch Factor is elevated by the film’s layered composition and subtle thematic hints. Several viewers report increased appreciation upon reflection, noting how detailed visuals and restrained dialogue reveal new resonances. Nonetheless, the slow pacing may deter repeated viewings for some. Overall, the film’s intricate craft and character nuances invite further exploration.
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IMDb 7.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 90 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.1 /5
17K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
Phantom Thread Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Phantom Thread from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1954 London, the esteemed fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock is in the business of crafting exquisite dresses and garments for the elite. His boundless charisma is coupled with an obsessive, controlling disposition, making him a perfectionist who demands nothing short of flawlessness. His luxury fashion house is supported by a talented team of tailors, but it is his sister, Cyril, who manages the daily operations and wields significant influence over his personal and professional life. Haunted by the shadow of their mother’s death, Reynolds expresses his feelings by stitching concealed messages into the linings of his garments.
Full summary
The whole story of Phantom Thread, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Phantom Thread Box Office & Budget
Phantom Thread grossed $52.2 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $21.2 million came from the US and Canada and $31 million (59%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$52.2M
1.5× its budget
- US & Canada
- $21.2M
- International
- $31M
- Budget
- $35M
Phantom Thread Awards & Nominations
Phantom Thread won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 3 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 2018, with 1 win from 6 nominations.
3 wins16 nominations4 ceremonies
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Oscars 2018 1 win · 6 nominations- Won Costume Design
- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Daniel Day-Lewis
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Lesley Manville
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Directing – Paul Thomas Anderson
-
Critics' Choice 2018 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Best Costume Design
- Nominated Best Actor – Daniel Day-Lewis
- Nominated Best Production Design
- Nominated Best Score
-
BAFTA 2018 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Best Costume Design
- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Daniel Day-Lewis
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lesley Manville
- Nominated Best Original Music
-
Golden Globes 2018 2 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Daniel Day-Lewis
- Nominated Best Original Score
Phantom Thread Trailers & Videos
26 videos: 1 trailer, 4 teasers, 13 clips, 6 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Teaser Sneak Preview Announcement
- Teaser Tickets on Sale Now
- Teaser Sneak Preview Announcement
- Teaser Own it now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital
How Well Do You Know Phantom Thread?
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
Who is the main character and fashion mogul in 'Phantom Thread'?
Cars in Phantom Thread
3 cars on screen, including the 1955 Bristol 405 and the 1952 Bentley Mk.VI.
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1955 Bristol 405 Important role -
1952 Bentley Mk.VI Minor role -
Rolls-Royce unknown Minor role
Phantom Thread Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “El hilo invisible” and “El hilo fantasma”.
- Also known as
-
- El hilo invisible
- El hilo fantasma
- Фантомска нит
- 팬텀 스레드
- ファントム・スレッド
- 霓裳魅影
- Призрачная нить
- Trama fantasma
- Il filo nascosto
- Linha fantasma
- رشته خیال
- Երևակայական թել
+19 more Show fewer
- Den skjulte tråd
- Fantomszál
- Αόρατη Κλωστή
- Невидима нишка
- Nit z přízraků
- Nić widmo
- חוטים נסתרים
- Der seidene Faden
- Le fil caché
- 魅影缝匠
- Nematomas siūlas
- Niť z prízrakov
- Примарна нитка
- เส้นด้ายลวงตา
- El fil invisible
- Bóng Ma Sợi Chỉ
- Firul fantomă, უხილავი ძაფი
- Nähtamatu niit
- Fantomska nit
Seen Phantom Thread?
Movies Like Phantom Thread
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Phantom, The Phantom and The Dressmaker.
Phantom Thread FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Phantom Thread, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Phantom Thread?
Phantom Thread runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).
When was Phantom Thread released?
Phantom Thread was released on December 25, 2017.
Who directed Phantom Thread?
Phantom Thread was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
More films by Paul Thomas Anderson Who is in the cast of Phantom Thread?
Phantom Thread stars Lesley Manville as Cyril, Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock and Vicky Krieps as Alma, among 22 credited actors.
How much did Phantom Thread make at the box office?
Phantom Thread grossed $52.2 million worldwide ($21.2 million domestic, $31 million international) on a budget of $35 million.
How is Phantom Thread rated?
Phantom Thread has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 90 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
What awards did Phantom Thread win?
Phantom Thread won 3 awards from 16 nominations, including Costume Design at the Oscars 2018.
Does Phantom Thread have a post-credit scene?
No. Phantom Thread has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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