Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

Relic (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Relic (2020) movie poster

Relic is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Natalie Erika James, starring Robyn Nevin as Edna, Emily Mortimer and Bella Heathcote. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $2.9 million worldwide on a $1.2 million budget. It earned 6 award nominations, including Best Direction at the AACTA Awards 2020. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$2.9M
award nominations
6
Loading streaming availability…
Relic (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$1.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Relic About?

The premise of Relic without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

When an elderly woman disappears, her daughter and granddaughter begin to investigate her past, uncovering unsettling clues about her mental state. As they search for answers, the woman returns home, but something is amiss. A sinister presence seems to be influencing her behavior, forcing the family to confront a dark history and the fragility of their own minds.

Relic Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dementia
  • mother daughter relationship
  • grandmother granddaughter relationship
  • old house
  • search party
  • actor with down syndrome
  • piano
  • dream sequence
  • rain
  • candle cutting
  • sketchbook
  • cabin in the woods
+38 more
  • retirement home
  • dancing
  • family heirloom
  • labyrinth
  • self harm
  • handwritten note
  • eating a photograph
  • burying a photo album
  • one word title
  • christmas tree
  • bruise
  • disappearance of mother
  • disappearance of grandmother
  • disappearance
  • overflowing bathtub
  • nudity
  • female nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • flooding
  • prologue
  • aerial camera shot
  • telephone call
  • voice over teephone message
  • old woman with long hair
  • knocking on a door
  • crawling through a dog door
  • note to oneself
  • tennis net
  • country house
  • windshield wiper
  • 80 something
  • photograph
  • reflection in a framed photograph
  • framed photograph
  • door lock
  • closet
  • food
  • eating
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Relic Cast & Characters

Robyn Nevin leads the cast as Edna, with Emily Mortimer as Kay and Bella Heathcote as Sam. Directed by Natalie Erika James; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Relic

· 6 more
Ratings

Relic Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Relic 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

76 /100

Relic Echo Score Breakdown

Relic demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere and thematic depth, with its measured pacing and nuanced performances reinforcing the emotional core. The film’s direction and visual style effectively communicate the disorienting effects of dementia while sustaining tangible tension throughout the narrative. Although some viewers find its structure and pacing uneven and its mysteries occasionally opaque, the haunting imagery and character-driven focus create a compelling and memorable experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, Relic’s direction and production design are quietly assured, establishing a cohesive aesthetic. The measured editing and controlled camera work underscore the film’s mood, while the cinematography’s understated color palette reinforces the sense of decline. Although some sequences feel slow in visual progression, the overall stylistic coherence remains strong.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances deliver quiet intensity and authenticity. The lead’s portrayal of cognitive decline resonates through subtle shifts, and supporting turns offer depth in familial dynamics. While emotional beats occasionally feel underdeveloped in the sprawling narrative, the overall acting quality anchors the film’s exploration of loss and memory.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Relic crafts an original parable that explores the impact of dementia through measured pacing and thematic depth. The non-linear reveals and symbolic motifs contribute to engagement. However, some viewers find the plot’s structural ambiguity and occasional narrative gaps hinder clarity, creating uneven momentum despite its conceptual strengths.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When evaluating the sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score build a pervasive sense of dread, complemented by unsettling creature effects and a muted color scheme. The haunting ambient noises and visual metaphors enhance the psychological impact. Despite occasional reliance on slow reveals, the cohesive audio-visual style sustains immersive tension throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Relic offers thematic richness and nuanced visuals that may reward a second viewing. The subtle performance layers and symbolic details invite closer inspection. However, its deliberate pacing and narrative opacity could limit appeal for some viewers, making repeated viewings more situational than universally compelling.

Plot

Relic Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Relic from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

When the elderly and senile matriarch, Edna, portrayed by Robyn Nevin, mysteriously disappears, her daughter Kay, played by Emily Mortimer, and granddaughter Sam, portrayed by Bella Heathcote, make their way to their secluded family home in search of her. Upon arriving, they find the house securely locked from within and notice a peculiar black mould-like substance creeping across an upstairs wall. The once-familiar space is now littered with Post-it notes containing reminders for Edna, indicating her derangement.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Relic Box Office & Budget

Relic grossed $2.9 million worldwide on a $1.2 million budget, 2.4 times what it cost. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $1.9 million (64%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.9M

2.4× its budget

US & Canada
$1M
International
$1.9M
Budget
$1.2M
US & Canada 36% Rest of the world 64%
Awards

Relic Awards & Nominations

Relic earned 6 award nominations, including Best Direction at the AACTA Awards 2020.

6 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Relic Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Relic - “Moldy Walls” Official Clip I HD I IFC Midnight
  • Clip Relic - "Trapped" Official Clip I HD I IFC Midnight
  • Clip Relic - "Bathtub" Official Clip I HD I IFC Midnight
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Relic?

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 is the name of the missing matriarch in Relic?

Cars

Cars in Relic

4 cars on screen, including the 2009 Subaru Forester and the 2013 Holden Commodore VF.

  • 2009 Subaru Forester in Relic 2009 Subaru Forester Important role
  • 2013 Holden Commodore VF in Relic 2013 Holden Commodore VF Background role
  • 2011 Holden Cruze JH in Relic 2011 Holden Cruze JH Background role
  • 1991 Mercedes-Benz 180 E W201 in Relic 1991 Mercedes-Benz 180 E W201 Background role
Details

Relic Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Релікт” and “Relikvie”.

Also known as
  • Релікт
  • Relikvie
  • レリック ―遺物―
  • レリック-遺物-
  • レリック -遺物-
  • שריד
  • Реликвия
  • Relíquia Macabra
  • 유물의 저주
  • Relikvia, რელიკვია
  • 遗落家庭
  • 家靈
+11 more
  • Relic: Herencia Maldita
  • רליק
  • Azap
  • Реліквія
  • Relikt
  • กลับมาเยี่ยมผี
  • Relic - Dunkles Vermächtnis
  • Tàn Tích Quỷ Ám
  • Реликва
  • Relicva
  • レリック 遺物

Seen Relic?

FAQ

Relic FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Relic?

Relic runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Relic released?

Relic was released on July 10, 2020.

Who directed Relic?

Relic was directed by Natalie Erika James.

More films by Natalie Erika James

Who is in the cast of Relic?

Relic stars Robyn Nevin as Edna, Emily Mortimer as Kay and Bella Heathcote as Sam, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Relic make at the box office?

Relic grossed $2.9 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $1.9 million international) on a budget of $1.2 million.

How is Relic rated?

Relic has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Was Relic nominated for any awards?

Relic received 6 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Relic have a post-credit scene?

No. Relic has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app