Servants (2022): Cast & Ratings
Servants is a 2022 drama directed by Ivan Ostrochovský, starring Samuel Polakovic as Michal, Samuel Skyva and Vlad Ivanov. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 20m (80 min)
- Director
- Ivan Ostrochovský
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Slovak
- Studio
- Film Movement
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Servants About?
The premise of Servants without spoilers.
In 1980 Czechoslovakia, under the strict control of the Communist regime, two seminary students, Michal and Juraj, find themselves at a critical crossroads. Facing immense pressure from the Party, they must choose between complying with their demands or risking severe consequences. As their school struggles to survive, the pair confronts a difficult decision: betray their peers as informants or stand against the authorities in a tense exploration of moral integrity and resistance.
Servants Themes & Keywords
· 41 tags- male rear nudity
- nudity
- bare chested male
- rear nudity
- male star appears shirtless
- teenage boy
- clothed male naked male scene
- male nudity
- male star appears nude
- embarrassing male nudity
- embarrassing nudity
- secret
+29 more Show fewer
- seminary
- student
- central europe
- 1980s
- year 1980
- barefoot male
- military service
- commission
- public nudity
- medical examination
- humiliation
- awkward situation
- blood
- blood on hands
- crying
- crying man
- shower room
- shower
- taking a shower
- man in a shower
- priest
- strike
- hunger strike
- teenager
- medical commission
- star appears nude
- cigarette smoking
- nude man covers himself
- nude man covers his crotch
Servants Cast & Characters
Samuel Polakovic leads the cast as Michal, with Samuel Skyva as Juraj and Vlad Ivanov as Dr. Ivan. Directed by Ivan Ostrochovský; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ivan Ostrochovský
- Samuel Polakovic as Michal
- Samuel Skyva as Juraj
-
Vlad Ivanov as Dr. Ivan - Martin Sulík as Physician
Also Starring in Servants
· 6 more- Milan Mikulcík Spiritual
- Tomas Turek Ductor
- Vladimír Obsil Father Coufar
- Vladimír Strnisko Dean
- Vladimír Zboron Secretary
- Zvonko Lakcevic Secret Policeman 1
More from Ivan Ostrochovský
One more film directed by Ivan Ostrochovský: Photophobia.
Servants Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Servants 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Servants Echo Score Breakdown
Servants presents a stark, monochrome vision of 1980s totalitarian Czechoslovakia that resonates through its visual composition and thematic focus. Critics commend its atmospheric world‑building, while audience reactions diverge, with some praising its intellectual depth and others finding the narrative uneven. The film’s technical strengths elevate the experience, yet its pacing and character development limit broader appeal. Overall, the work stands as a compelling, if divisive, artistic statement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, the film excels through precise black‑and‑white cinematography and deliberate framing that underscores oppressive architecture. Reviewers note the camera’s restraint and the striking visual palette as core achievements. This technical rigor creates a cohesive aesthetic that consistently reinforces the story’s mood, resulting in a highly effective visual presentation.
- Character & Emotion 65
When evaluating character and emotion, the performances receive limited commentary, suggesting a neutral impact. Critics focus on the film’s atmosphere rather than actor nuance, and user feedback does not highlight standout portrayals. Nonetheless, the script offers moments of thematic introspection that hint at emotional layers, though these are not fully realized through the ensemble.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding story and flow, the narrative’s pacing is described as deliberate yet occasionally sluggish, and one viewer finds the plot disjointed. Critics acknowledge the film’s concise structure and effective world‑building, but also note a lack of riveting momentum. The result is a plot that engages conceptually while struggling with consistent coherence.
- Sensory Experience 70
The sensory experience centers on the film’s stark visual style, with limited discussion of sound design or score. Reviewers praise the oppressive visual tone, which creates a cohesive sensory atmosphere. While the auditory elements are not highlighted, the overall sensory impact is solid, driven primarily by the disciplined cinematographic approach.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor appears moderate; the film’s atmospheric strength and thematic relevance suggest lasting appeal for some viewers, yet the uneven pacing and character depth may deter repeat viewings. Critics emphasize its singular artistic impression, whereas audience opinions are split, indicating that while the work may attract a niche following, its broader replay value is limited.
-
IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 44%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 20% User score
See on TMDB
Servants Trailers & Videos
The teaser of Servants.
Seen Servants?
Movies Like Servants
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tenderness, Service (Serbis) and The Catholic School.
Servants FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Servants, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Servants?
Servants runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).
When was Servants released?
Servants was released on February 25, 2022.
Who directed Servants?
Servants was directed by Ivan Ostrochovský.
More films by Ivan Ostrochovský Who is in the cast of Servants?
Servants stars Samuel Polakovic as Michal, Samuel Skyva as Juraj and Vlad Ivanov as Dr. Ivan, among 10 credited actors.
How is Servants rated?
Servants has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 20% on TMDB.
Does Servants have a post-credit scene?
No. Servants has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Servants in?
The original language of Servants is Slovak.
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