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Comedy drama

Shortcomings (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Shortcomings (2023) movie poster

Shortcomings is a 2023 comedy drama starring Justin H. Min as Ben, Ally Maki and Sherry Cola. It is based on Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $686,026 worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$686K
Echo Score
64
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Shortcomings (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shortcomings About?

The premise of Shortcomings without spoilers, adapted from Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In Berkeley, a filmmaker named Ben struggles with a tedious job at a local arthouse cinema. When his girlfriend Miko travels to New York, Ben begins a journey of self-discovery. He spends time with his eccentric best friend Alice, exploring his desires and contemplating his identity while grappling with questions of independence and the complexities of relationships.

Shortcomings Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • reference to reddit
  • reference to willy wonka
  • reference to bts the musical group
  • reference to ed harris
  • reference to christopher nolan
  • reference to bong joon ho
  • reference to ruben ostlund
  • reference to celine sciamma
  • reference to marvel
  • reference to spider man
  • reference to sam raimi
  • reference to disney plus
+38 more
  • reference to world war two
  • reference to margot robbie
  • reference to eric rohmer
  • reference to ben tagawa
  • reference to mary poppins
  • reference to chipotle
  • reference to charlie chaplin
  • reference to brad pitt
  • reference to bruce lee
  • cafe
  • california
  • new york
  • taxi
  • airplane
  • breakup
  • pretending to be someone's boyfriend
  • male rear nudity
  • cheating on partner
  • ghosting
  • flea market
  • movie theater
  • male nudity
  • bisexual
  • bisexual woman
  • male public nudity
  • clothed male naked male scene
  • clothed female naked male scene
  • film festival
  • watching a movie in a theater
  • waitress
  • diner
  • no opening credits
  • new york city
  • balloon
  • birthday
  • birthday cake
  • birthday party
  • san francisco california
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Cast & crew

Shortcomings Cast & Characters

Justin H. Min leads the cast as Ben, with Ally Maki as Miko and Sherry Cola as Alice.

Also Starring in Shortcomings

· 6 more
Ratings

Shortcomings Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Shortcomings 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in character & emotion (72) and weakest in story & flow (58).

64 /100

Shortcomings Echo Score Breakdown

Shortcomings presents a mixed but generally competent debut, balancing witty humor with a modest visual approach. Critics appreciate the director's ability to translate graphic‑novel panels into filmic framing, while many viewers find the lead’s personality off‑putting and the narrative uneven. The film’s tonal shifts and cultural observations resonate for some, yet the sitcom‑like execution and flat cinematography limit broader appeal. Consequently, the movie offers modest replay value and sits in the middle of the critical‑user spectrum.

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

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the direction shows thoughtful framing that echoes the source material’s panels, and the production design is functional. Critics note purposeful medium shots and a flat visual style that sometimes feels unadorned, leading to occasional dead air. User comments describe the camera work as bureaucratic yet serviceable. Overall, the technical execution is solid but lacks a distinctive visual flair.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances from the supporting cast receive consistent praise for humor and chemistry. The protagonist’s portrayal is polarizing; some reviewers commend its authenticity while others find it insufferable and poorly cast. Critics highlight a star‑making turn by the lead actor, yet user feedback often emphasizes the main character’s flaws. The net impression is a strong ensemble anchored by a divisive central performance.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Story and flow are marked by an ambitious blend of romance, comedy, and social commentary. Critics acknowledge faithful adaptation but cite sanitized dialogue and episodic vignettes that resolve predictably. Users appreciate unexpected plot twists yet criticize a lack of focus and a narrative axis that hinges on an unlikeable lead. The film’s originality is modest, resulting in a storyline that engages intermittently but struggles with cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory experience is characterized by a straightforward soundscape and visual style that mirrors sitcom aesthetics. Reviewers observe a flat, shiny look that mirrors the graphic‑novel’s panels but can feel perfunctory. While the soundtrack is not a focal point, the overall auditory design supports dialogue without distinction. The sensory elements are competent, though they do not elevate the viewing experience beyond functional adequacy.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor hinges on the film’s humor and cultural observations, which some viewers find refreshing on repeat viewings. Critics note lasting resonance in its exploration of identity politics, yet users report diminishing returns due to the protagonist’s unappealing traits. The blend of comedic moments and thoughtful themes offers occasional incentive for a second look, but overall replay value remains moderate.

Plot

Shortcomings Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Shortcomings 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

Ben Tagawa, a dreaming filmmaker who dropped out of film school, resides in Berkeley with his girlfriend, Miko, who is passionate about her work for an Asian American film festival. Ben, however, shows little interest in her advocacy for the political and cultural issues that affect their community.

In his role managing an arthouse movie theater, Ben employs Autumn, a young white woman, as a ticket seller. Tensions rise when Miko discovers explicit material on Ben’s computer, which fuels her worries regarding his attractions. Although Ben dismisses her concerns during a fight, Miko ultimately reveals that she has accepted an internship in New York City.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Shortcomings Box Office

Shortcomings grossed $686,026 worldwide. $675,257 came from the US and Canada and $10,769 (2%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$686K

US & Canada
$675.3K
International
$10.8K
US & Canada 98% Rest of the world 2%
Videos

Shortcomings Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Shortcomings?

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 Ben's profession?

Cars

Cars in Shortcomings

39 cars on screen, including the 2020 Toyota Corolla and the 2009 Mazda 6.

All 39 cars
  • 2020 Toyota Corolla in Shortcomings 2020 Toyota Corolla Important role
  • 2009 Mazda 6 in Shortcomings 2009 Mazda 6 Minor role
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 X247 in Shortcomings 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 X247 Minor role
  • 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan II Typ AD1 in Shortcomings 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan II Typ AD1 Minor role
Details

Shortcomings Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “短处” and “不足之处”.

Also known as
  • 短处
  • 不足之处
  • Imperfectos
  • 人生萬萬想不到
  • 友情有缺憾
  • 완벽하지 않아
  • KBE (Külső, belső, esély?)
  • Труднощі стосунків
  • หัวใจชำรุดมนุษย์โรงหนัง
  • Nedokonalosti
  • חסרונות
  • Caminhos Tortos
+7 more
  • Недостатки
  • Mankamenty
  • Trūkumai
  • Hibe
  • Defecte
  • Hatalarımla Sev Beni
  • Nedostaci

Seen Shortcomings?

FAQ

Shortcomings FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Shortcomings, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Shortcomings?

Shortcomings runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Shortcomings released?

Shortcomings was released on August 4, 2023.

Who is in the cast of Shortcomings?

Shortcomings stars Justin H. Min as Ben, Ally Maki as Miko and Sherry Cola as Alice, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Shortcomings make at the box office?

Shortcomings grossed $686,026 worldwide ($675,257 domestic, $10,769 international).

How is Shortcomings rated?

Shortcomings has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Is Shortcomings based on a book?

Yes. Shortcomings is adapted from Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine.

Does Shortcomings have a post-credit scene?

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

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