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Horror film

Separation (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Separation (2021) movie poster

Separation is a 2021 horror film directed by William Brent Bell, starring Rupert Friend as Jeff Vahn, Mamie Gummer and Violet McGraw. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $4.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
7%
worldwide gross
$4.5M
Echo Score
35
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Separation (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Separation About?

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

A young girl finds solace in her artistic father’s world and the seemingly comforting presence of her deceased mother, who appears as a ghost. They reside in an isolated home, but a growing sense of unease and darkness threatens their fragile security, hinting at a chilling secret lurking just beyond their haven.

Separation Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • ghost
  • daughter
  • artist
  • female lawyer
  • police officer
  • female uniformed police officer
  • reference to dr. seuss
  • reference to geoffrey chaucer
  • attic
  • divorce
  • mediation
  • reference to the doobie brothers
+28 more
  • hit by a car
  • hit and run
  • death of wife
  • epipen
  • chandelier
  • hit on the back of the head
  • husband wife estrangement
  • father daughter relationship
  • new york city
  • mother daughter relationship
  • creepy dolls
  • comic book artist as protagonist
  • waking nightmare
  • illustrator
  • custody battle
  • nightmare within a nightmare
  • peanut allergy
  • riding the subway
  • comic book company
  • reference to tim burton
  • 911 call
  • ayahuasca
  • pushed over railing
  • psychotic girl
  • pushed out a window
  • fall from height
  • scene during end credits
  • death of mother
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Cast & crew

Separation Cast & Characters

Rupert Friend leads the cast as Jeff Vahn, with Mamie Gummer as Maggie Vahn and Violet McGraw as Jenny Vahn. Directed by William Brent Bell; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Separation

· 10 more
Ratings

Separation Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Separation 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

35 /100

Separation Echo Score Breakdown

In overall assessment, Separation struggles to deliver a coherent and engaging horror drama. Critics uniformly pointed to underdeveloped characters and a muddled narrative that blurs the line between divorce drama and supernatural thriller. While the atmospheric tension and occasional striking visuals earned some acknowledgment, these elements are overshadowed by uneven pacing and a lack of narrative clarity. The disparate tonal shifts and stilted emotional beats limit the film’s ability to sustain engagement. The net impression is of a film whose ambitions exceed its execution.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    Technical execution in Separation exhibits both striking visuals and inconsistent craft. In terms of cinematography and special effects, several users noted impressive shots and menacing designs that briefly heighten tension. However, the editing drew criticism for its abrupt cuts and uneven pacing, and direction lacked cohesion. The net impression is of an art style that is promising yet undermined by clumsy execution.

  • Character & Emotion 25

    When it comes to character development, Separation largely falters with flat portrayals and limited emotional resonance. Critics cited unlikable protagonists and superficial interactions, noting a lack of chemistry among leads. A few viewers praised the child actor’s performance for its sincerity, but this positive note is insufficient. Overall, the character dimension remains underexplored and unengaging.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of storytelling, Separation struggles with coherence and measured pacing. Reviews frequently mention a confused plot that vacillates between domestic drama and supernatural thriller without a clear focus, leading to dragging sequences and narrative gaps. Some users found intermittent engagement in its premise, yet the overarching structure fails to sustain interest. The story ultimately feels disjointed and uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Regarding sensory experience, Separation delivers inconsistent atmosphere and sound design. A minority of critics praised the oppressive ambiance and well-timed scares that momentarily evoke tension. Conversely, several users and reviewers observed that the audio-visual cohesion wavers, with CGI elements feeling inflated and score cues lacking subtlety. The overall sensory impact remains uneven but occasionally effective.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    In terms of rewatch value, Separation offers limited appeal for subsequent viewings. The film’s uneven pacing, narrative inconsistencies, and shallow emotional core discourage repeat engagement. Although occasional atmospheric moments may merit a second look for genre enthusiasts, the overall lack of clarity and depth diminishes lasting appeal.

Plot

Separation Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Separation 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 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

An incompetent illustrator named Jeff Vahn struggles with the chaos of his personal life, particularly his tumultuous relationship with his ex-wife, Maggie Vahn. After a traumatic incident where their temperamental daughter, Jenny Vahn, suffers a fall from the attic, Maggie’s resentment towards Jeff solidifies. She resolves to end their marriage, believing that her daughter should remain distant from Jeff until he can get his life together, despite her own emotional detachment from Jenny.

As Jeff reflects on the past—those happier moments of marriage and being a father—he faces the possibility of losing not only the divorce but also his career. In a moment of desperation, he contemplates agreeing to Maggie’s demands. However, fate takes a tragic turn when Maggie, distracted by their heated argument, is fatally struck by a vehicle.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Separation Box Office

Separation grossed $4.5 million worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.5M

US & Canada
$4.5M
Videos

Separation Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Separation.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Separation?

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 event triggers Maggie's decision to divorce Jeff?

Cars

Cars in Separation

19 cars on screen, including the 2013 Cadillac CTS and the 2007 Jeep Patriot.

All 19 cars
  • 2013 Cadillac CTS in Separation 2013 Cadillac CTS Minor role
  • 2007 Jeep Patriot in Separation 2007 Jeep Patriot Minor role
  • Mazda 3 in Separation Mazda 3 Minor role
  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 W205 in Separation 2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 W205 Minor role
Details

Separation Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Oscura separación” and “พลัดพราก”.

Also known as
  • Oscura separación
  • พลัดพราก
  • פרידה
  • 分離
  • Ayrılık
  • 分离
  • Séparation
  • La separación
  • Na Companhia do Mal
  • Separacja
  • 세퍼레이션
  • Разлученные души
+11 more
  • Razdvajanje
  • ההפרדה
  • Separazione
  • Відокремлення
  • Atskyrimas
  • 分開
  • วิโยคมรณะ
  • Tách Biệt
  • Separare
  • انفصال
  • सेपरेशन

Seen Separation?

FAQ

Separation FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Separation?

Separation runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Separation released?

Separation was released on April 30, 2021.

Who directed Separation?

Separation was directed by William Brent Bell.

More films by William Brent Bell

Who is in the cast of Separation?

Separation stars Rupert Friend as Jeff Vahn, Mamie Gummer as Maggie Vahn and Violet McGraw as Jenny Vahn, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Separation make at the box office?

Separation grossed $4.5 million worldwide.

How is Separation rated?

Separation has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57% on TMDB and 1.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Separation have a post-credit scene?

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

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