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Mystery drama

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall (2018) movie poster

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall is a 2018 mystery drama directed by Shawn Christensen, starring Michelle Monaghan as Mrs. Hall, Logan Lerman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes. Critics gave it 12% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
12%
Echo Score
55
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The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall About?

The premise of The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A gifted young author’s sudden ascent to literary stardom is complicated by hidden truths and the fallout from his controversial writing. As fame and notoriety engulf him, Sidney Hall’s creativity begins to decline, and he mysteriously disappears. A determined detective investigates the circumstances surrounding the author’s vanishing, delving into the secrets that led to his downfall and the impact of his provocative work.

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • writer
  • novel
  • elevator
  • cheating
  • abusive parent
  • author
  • non linear narrative
  • vhs tape
  • investigator
  • murder
  • publisher
  • search
+24 more
  • fire
  • recovery
  • pulitzer prize
  • crying
  • character name as title
  • bail out
  • impersonating a police officer
  • literary agent
  • trapped in an elevator
  • hospitalized person
  • lockbox
  • statutory rape
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • hospitalization
  • man hospitalized
  • make love
  • psychotronic film
  • psychotronic filmmaking
  • fun fair
  • lovemaking
  • merry go round
  • object of affection
  • girlfriend
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Cast & crew

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Cast & Characters

Michelle Monaghan leads the cast as Mrs. Hall, with Logan Lerman as Sidney Hall and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Duane. Directed by Shawn Christensen; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall

· 8 more
From the director

More from Shawn Christensen

More films directed by Shawn Christensen, best-rated first: Before I Disappear and Brink.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall 12% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in sensory experience (45).

55 /100

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall yields a varied response that blends emotional strengths with narrative shortcomings. Critics frequently cited its uneven pacing and convoluted structure as obstacles to engagement, while several viewers praised its nuanced performances and evocative moments, particularly in the restaurant and elevator sequences. Despite striking imagery and intermittent depth, the film ultimately struggles to maintain coherence throughout its runtime, resulting in a mixed impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film presents moments of visual ambition mixed with inconsistent execution. The use of color and framing occasionally underscores thematic weight, but the overall production design and editing often feel disjointed. These visual peaks are offset by uneven rhythm, yielding an art and craft dimension that is unevenly realized.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film offers compelling performances tempered by limited development. Several viewers noted strong chemistry in key scenes, enhancing the emotional stakes. However, critics found the protagonist underexplored and affecting little empathy. Overall, the character dimension delivers intermittent engagement through solid acting but lacks consistent depth.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative is marked by both intrigue and frustration. Many critics criticized its meandering structure and sudden time jumps, undermining overall clarity. In contrast, a portion of viewers praised the unfolding twists and emotional journey. Ultimately, the story presents an uneven flow that alternates between engagement and confusion.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film displays occasional strengths in sound design and musical cues but lacks a coherent audio-visual identity. Critics found its stylistic flourishes to feel artificial, and viewers made limited reference to the soundtrack’s impact. The overall sensory dimension is inconsistent, with striking moments overshadowed by an uneven stylistic approach.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film presents a mixed proposition for repeated viewing. Some aspects, such as the restaurant sequence and emotional beats, invite return viewings to unpack nuances. However, the uneven pacing and structural gaps hinder sustained appeal. As a result, the rewatch dimension offers sporadic rewards but may not justify multiple full revisits.

Plot

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Plot Summary

What happens in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film intricately revolves around Sidney Hall, a young novelist whose story is told through a non-linear sequence of elliptical flashbacks and flash-forwards, illustrating three significant phases of his life.

Full summary

The whole story of The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall.

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall | Official Trailer HD | A24
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall?

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 central theme of Sidney Hall's journey?

Cars

Cars in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall

5 cars on screen, including the 1975 AMC Pacer and the 1969 Ford Mustang.

All 5 cars
  • 1975 AMC Pacer in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall 1975 AMC Pacer Important role
  • 1969 Ford Mustang in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall 1969 Ford Mustang Important role
  • 1990 Mercedes-Benz SEL W126 in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall 1990 Mercedes-Benz SEL W126 Important role
  • 2006 Dodge Charger in The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall 2006 Dodge Charger Minor role
Details

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “西德尼·豪尔” and “La Disparition de Sidney Hall”.

Also known as
  • 西德尼·豪尔
  • La Disparition de Sidney Hall
  • Wo steckt Sidney Hall?
  • Исчезновение Сидни Холла
  • La desaparición de Sidney Hall
  • 시드니 홀의 실종
  • Зникнення Сідні Голла
  • Изчезването на Сидни Хол
  • ההיעלמות של סידני הול
  • 消失的西德尼·豪尔
  • O Desaparecimento de Sidney Hall
  • Sidnija Hola pazušana
+9 more
  • Sidney Hall eltűnése
  • Zniknięcie Sidneya Halla
  • Sidnio Holo dingimas
  • La Scomparsa di Sidney Hall
  • Dispariția lui Sidney Hall
  • シドニー・ホールの失踪
  • ปริศนาการหายตัวของซิดนีย์ ฮอลล์
  • 消失的西德尼·豪爾
  • Mất Tích

Seen The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall?

FAQ

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall?

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall released?

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall was released on March 2, 2018.

Who directed The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall?

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall was directed by Shawn Christensen.

More films by Shawn Christensen

Who is in the cast of The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall?

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall stars Michelle Monaghan as Mrs. Hall, Logan Lerman as Sidney Hall and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Duane, among 12 credited actors.

How is The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall rated?

The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 12% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall have a post-credit scene?

No. The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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