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Drama

Ray & Liz (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Ray & Liz (2019) movie poster

Ray & Liz is a 2019 drama directed by Richard Billingham, starring Justin Salinger as Ray, Ella Smith and Tony Way. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $59,919 worldwide on a $700,000 budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the BAFTA 2019. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$59.9K
award nomination
1
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Ray & Liz (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$700K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ray & Liz About?

The premise of Ray & Liz without spoilers.

Set against the backdrop of Birmingham, this film explores the lives of the Billingham family as they grapple with hardship and challenge societal expectations. Three interwoven stories depict the struggles and experiences of teenagers growing up in a working-class environment. Through moments of both dark humor and raw honesty, the film portrays a poignant and unflinching look at fate, family, and the complexities of adolescence.

Ray & Liz Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • woman wears a bathrobe
  • brother
  • alcoholic
  • passed out drunk
  • child neglect
  • payphone
  • written by director
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Cast & crew

Ray & Liz Cast & Characters

Justin Salinger leads the cast as Ray, with Ella Smith as Liz and Tony Way as Lol. Directed by Richard Billingham; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Richard Billingham

One more film directed by Richard Billingham: Siberian Tiger.

Full filmography
Ratings

Ray & Liz Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ray & Liz 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

75 /100

Ray & Liz Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Ray & Liz presents a consistently austere yet earnest depiction of family life, anchored by meticulous visual and emotional detail. The film’s visual and sensory elements receive strong acclaim for their restrained realism, while character portrayals draw praise for commitment despite limited inner exposition. Story and pacing spark mixed responses regarding coherence and engagement. The result is a provocative drama with undeniable artistry but tempered accessibility, leaving a lasting yet challenging impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, Ray & Liz demonstrates compelling visual composition and precise design choices. Critics highlight the darkened cinematography that underscores the film’s bleak atmosphere and the production’s attention to authentic period detail. The editing maintains a measured rhythm that reinforces the diaristic style. Overall, the film’s art direction solidly conveys its thematic weight.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, performances in Ray & Liz receive commendation for their unwavering commitment despite a restrained emotional palette. Observers note the lead actors’ ability to convey complex family dynamics through subtle gestures, even as inner motivations emerge late in the narrative. Consequently, the emotional impact feels authentic but occasionally distant.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Ray & Liz offers an intimate but uneven narrative progression. The diaristic structure provides original glimpses into childhood memory yet also introduces pacing challenges that some find slow or fragmentary. While the authentic depiction of the family’s hardship feels purposeful, the limited plot resolution leaves certain arcs underdeveloped.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, Ray & Liz excels with its soundscape and visual tone. The restrained soundtrack and ambient sound design underscore the film’s realism, while the cohesive visual style leverages muted color palettes to reinforce the bleak mood. Together, these elements create an immersive atmosphere that aligns closely with the director’s personal vision.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, Ray & Liz offers a distinct but challenging repeat viewing experience. Its unvarnished portrayal and deliberate pacing contribute to a thoughtful atmosphere, though the film’s somber tone and narrative ambiguity may limit widespread replay appeal. As a result, its lasting resonance is potent for some audiences but may feel demanding for casual viewers.

Box office

Ray & Liz Box Office & Budget

Ray & Liz grossed $59,919 worldwide on a $700,000 budget, 9% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$59.9K

9% of its budget back

International
$59.9K
Budget
$700K
Awards

Ray & Liz Awards & Nominations

Ray & Liz earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the BAFTA 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Ray & Liz Videos

2 videos: 1 clip and 1 featurette.

  • Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Ray & Liz (2018) | BFI Player
Details

Ray & Liz Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Ray and Liz” and “Рэй и Лиз”.

Also known as
  • Ray and Liz
  • Рэй и Лиз
  • 我的極品父母
  • 레이와 리즈
  • Рей та Ліз
  • 雷和莉兹
  • 屋簷下的記憶
  • Ray i Liz
  • Рей и Лиз
  • Ray a Liz
  • Ray és Liz
  • Ray și Liz

Seen Ray & Liz?

FAQ

Ray & Liz FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Ray & Liz, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ray & Liz?

Ray & Liz runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Ray & Liz released?

Ray & Liz was released on July 10, 2019.

Who directed Ray & Liz?

Ray & Liz was directed by Richard Billingham.

More films by Richard Billingham

Who is in the cast of Ray & Liz?

Ray & Liz stars Justin Salinger as Ray, Ella Smith as Liz and Tony Way as Lol, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Ray & Liz make at the box office?

Ray & Liz grossed $59,919 worldwide on a budget of $700,000.

How is Ray & Liz rated?

Ray & Liz has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was Ray & Liz nominated for any awards?

Ray & Liz received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Ray & Liz have a post-credit scene?

No. Ray & Liz has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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