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Romantic drama

Queen & Slim (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Queen & Slim (2019) movie poster

Queen & Slim is a 2019 romantic drama directed by Melina Matsoukas, starring Jodie Turner-Smith as Queen, Daniel Kaluuya and Gralen Bryant Banks. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $47.8 million worldwide on a $18 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including First-Time Feature Film at the DGA Awards 2020. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$47.8M
award nomination
1
Queen & Slim (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Director
Melina Matsoukas
Genres
Drama , Romance , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$18M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Queen & Slim About?

The premise of Queen & Slim without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During an awkward first date, a Black man and a white woman are pulled over by a police officer. When the encounter escalates, they are forced to kill the officer and go on the run. As they journey across the country, they confront the harsh realities of racial profiling and police brutality, forging an unlikely connection and finding strength in their shared struggle for survival.

Queen & Slim Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • racist cop
  • police shooting
  • title directed by female
  • cleveland ohio
  • new orleans louisiana
  • legacy
  • on the run
  • pulled over by the police
  • black american
  • manhunt
  • running from police
  • f rated
+38 more
  • female lawyer
  • florida
  • cuba
  • ohio
  • female attorney
  • kentucky
  • disbelief in god
  • miami florida
  • n word
  • man undresses a woman
  • male nudity
  • british actor playing american character
  • georgia usa
  • female director
  • female filmmaker
  • title written by female
  • criminal defense attorney
  • dysfunctional family
  • police officer
  • diner
  • first date
  • riot
  • shooting a police officer
  • african american
  • kidnapping
  • teenage boy
  • fear
  • nickname
  • dating
  • dancing
  • bar
  • car breakdown
  • fugitive
  • protest
  • funeral
  • boy
  • shot by police
  • road movie
Where to watch

Where to Watch Queen & Slim

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Queen & Slim Cast & Characters

Jodie Turner-Smith leads the cast as Queen, with Daniel Kaluuya as Slim and Gralen Bryant Banks as Older Black Man. Directed by Melina Matsoukas; 26 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Queen & Slim Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Queen & Slim 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).

71 /100

Queen & Slim Echo Score Breakdown

Queen & Slim distinguishes itself with a striking visual style and potent socio-political themes, though uneven narrative pacing prevents full cohesion. The direction delivers vivid detail and memorable imagery, supported by strong lead performances that evoke emotional resonance despite occasional lapses into superficial characterization. The plot reimagines the Bonnie and Clyde archetype with topical relevance, yet episodic contrivances and credibility strains undermine momentum. Ultimately, the film offers a compelling single viewing experience, though its structural imbalances may temper long-term impact.

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 & Craft, Queen & Slim showcases a striking visual design highlighted by lush cinematography and richly observed production details. The arresting framing of pit-stop set pieces and tactile surface textures reinforce the film’s aesthetic ambition. However, some stylistic flourishes feel overworked, and rapid editing choices can disrupt narrative flow. Overall, the visual craft leaves a lasting impression despite occasional excess.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    In terms of Character & Emotion, the lead performances deliver compelling intensity and on-screen chemistry that grounds the central relationship. The emotional stakes resonate in their spontaneous connection and expressive portrayals, although at times character motivations appear contrived or lack sufficient depth. Instances of illogical decision-making and distant character beats temper the film’s affective power. Nonetheless, the performances sustain audience engagement throughout.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film ambitiously reimagines a modern fugitive narrative with topical relevance. The overarching plot engages through episodic set pieces that evoke both suspense and socio-political commentary. However, credibility issues, overextended detours, and uneven pacing create narrative lulls that dilute overall momentum. The storyline’s creative premise remains compelling even as its structural inconsistencies hinder full immersion.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of Sensory Experience, Queen & Slim offers a rich auditory and visual landscape anchored by an evocative soundtrack and immersive sound design. The musical score underscores key emotional beats, while vibrant color palettes and dynamic visual compositions heighten thematic impact. Occasional overuse of stylistic touches can feel conspicuous, but the film’s overall sensory cohesion reinforces its dramatic intentions with compelling force.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s striking visuals and topical resonance encourage a second viewing to appreciate its thematic nuance. The potent combination of political subtext and evocative imagery offers fresh insights upon revisit. Nonetheless, structural unevenness and episodic pacing issues may limit the desire for multiple viewings. Overall, Queen & Slim retains memorable moments but may yield diminishing returns for some audiences over time.

Plot

Queen & Slim Plot Summary

What happens in Queen & Slim from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens in a cozy diner located in Cleveland, Ohio, where a lawyer named Queen (portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith) shares a meal with her Tinder date, Slim (played by Daniel Kaluuya). Queen, feeling the weight of solitude, chooses to accompany Slim, who exhibits a more relaxed demeanor compared to her cynical outlook. During dinner, she reveals her distress over a client’s death sentence, which she believes is unjust. Slim, curious about their connection, asks why she chose him, and she candidly admits it was his “sad” photo that caught her eye.

Full summary

The whole story of Queen & Slim, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Queen & Slim Box Office & Budget

Queen & Slim grossed $47.8 million worldwide on a $18 million budget, 2.7 times what it cost. $43.8 million came from the US and Canada and $4 million (8%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$47.8M

2.7× its budget

US & Canada
$43.8M
International
$4M
Budget
$18M
US & Canada 92% Rest of the world 8%
Awards

Queen & Slim Awards & Nominations

Queen & Slim earned 1 award nomination, including First-Time Feature Film at the DGA Awards 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Queen & Slim Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 3 trailers, 2 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 7 videos
First Look
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Clip Queen & Slim | "Can I Be Your Legacy?" Ending Scene in 4K HDR
  • Clip A Traffic Stop Goes Horribly Wrong - Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Queen & Slim?

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 leads to the initial confrontation with Officer Reed?

Cars

Cars in Queen & Slim

28 cars on screen, including the 1972 Pontiac Catalina and the 1992 Ford F-350.

All 28 cars
  • 1972 Pontiac Catalina in Queen & Slim 1972 Pontiac Catalina Featured role
  • 1992 Ford F-350 in Queen & Slim 1992 Ford F-350 Main role
  • 1998 Honda Accord in Queen & Slim 1998 Honda Accord Main role
  • 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic in Queen & Slim 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Important role
Details

Queen & Slim Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Queen and Slim” and “Queen y Slim - Los Fugitivos”.

Also known as
  • Queen and Slim
  • Queen y Slim - Los Fugitivos
  • 他們沒有明天
  • Квин и Слим
  • Queen y Slim: Los fugitivos
  • Queen ve Slim
  • 皇后与瘦子
  • Куийн & Слим
  • 皇后與瘦子
  • Kvīna un Slims
  • Queen és Slim
  • 퀸 & 슬림
+10 more
  • Kvyn ir Slimas, ქუინი და სლიმი
  • קווין וסלים
  • Queen și Slim
  • Квін і Слім
  • หนีสุดหล้าท้าอยุติธรรม
  • كوين وسليم
  • クイーン&スリム
  • Queen et Slim
  • क्वीन और स्लिम
  • Queen i Slim

Seen Queen & Slim?

FAQ

Queen & Slim FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Queen & Slim, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Queen & Slim?

Queen & Slim runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was Queen & Slim released?

Queen & Slim was released on November 27, 2019.

Who directed Queen & Slim?

Queen & Slim was directed by Melina Matsoukas.

More films by Melina Matsoukas

Who is in the cast of Queen & Slim?

Queen & Slim stars Jodie Turner-Smith as Queen, Daniel Kaluuya as Slim and Gralen Bryant Banks as Older Black Man, among 26 credited actors.

Where can I watch Queen & Slim?

In the US, Queen & Slim is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Queen & Slim make at the box office?

Queen & Slim grossed $47.8 million worldwide ($43.8 million domestic, $4 million international) on a budget of $18 million.

How is Queen & Slim rated?

Queen & Slim has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Queen & Slim nominated for any awards?

Queen & Slim received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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