Sometimes Always Never (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Sometimes Always Never is a 2018 comedy drama directed by Carl Hunter, starring Bill Nighy as Alan, Tim McInnerny and Jenny Agutter. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 68/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Carl Hunter
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- BondIt Media Capital
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sometimes Always Never About?
The premise of Sometimes Always Never without spoilers.
Alan is a meticulous tailor struggling with the disappearance of his son, Michael, who left home years ago after a disagreement over a Scrabble game. Haunted by the loss and a fractured family, Alan embarks on a relentless search, maintaining his impeccable style throughout. As he attempts to mend his relationship with his youngest son and uncover the identity of a mysterious online player he believes may be Michael, he hopes to finally resolve the past and reunite his family.
Sometimes Always Never Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- feature film directorial debut
- based on short story
- wager
- beach
- tailor
- playing a word game
- playing scrabble
- missing son
- tailor shop
- loss and grief
- missing person flyer
- morgue
+24 more Show fewer
- bed and breakfast
- chapter headings
- label
- label maker
- family relationships
- psychological drama
- the letter z
- boat yard
- car trailer
- roadside cafe
- missing person report
- mistaken identity
- empty chair
- beach bonfire
- playing guitar
- fireworks
- father son reconciliation
- suspense mystery
- suspense drama
- family drama
- domestic drama
- quirky comedy
- reference to the prodigal son
- independent film
Sometimes Always Never Cast & Characters
Bill Nighy leads the cast as Alan, with Tim McInnerny as Arthur and Jenny Agutter as Margaret. Directed by Carl Hunter; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Carl Hunter
-
Bill Nighy as Alan -
Tim McInnerny as Arthur -
Jenny Agutter as Margaret -
Alice Lowe as Sue
Also Starring in Sometimes Always Never
· 8 more- Sam Riley Peter
- Alexei Sayle Bill
- Alan Williams Desk Officer
- John Westley The Official
- Eithne Browne Waitress
- Louis Healy Jack
- Oliver Sindcup Young Peter
- Ella-Grace Gregoire Rachel
More from Carl Hunter
One more film directed by Carl Hunter: Sometimes Always Never.
Sometimes Always Never Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Sometimes Always Never Echo Score Breakdown
Sometimes Always Never delivers a distinctive visual tone and modestly engaging performances, yet its narrative fails to sustain momentum. Critics and viewers alike commend the film's stylized art direction and Bill Nighy's presence, while repeatedly noting a thin, uneven story that struggles to cohere. The sensory experience—colorful cinematography and a poignant score—provides occasional highlights, but the overall impact is diluted by pacing issues and a lack of compelling resolution. Consequently, the film sits in a mixed middle ground.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film is praised for its vivid, stylized visuals and careful composition. Critics highlight its retro vividity and elegant cinematography, while users describe the colorful settings, symmetrical framing, and striking panoramas. Both groups note that the visual design contributes significantly to the film’s charm, despite occasional editing lapses. Overall, the craftsmanship is regarded as a strong, aesthetically pleasing element.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive generally favorable remarks. Bill Nighy’s nuanced portrayal and the ensemble’s sympathetic acting are consistently mentioned as strengths. However, several reviewers point to a lack of depth in character arcs and moments where performances feel subdued or average. The emotional resonance is present but uneven, leading to a respectable but not uniformly high assessment of the film’s character work.
- Story & Flow 55
Story and flow emerge as the film's weaker pillar. Critics and users both cite an incoherent or thin plot, with the narrative ending abruptly and lacking satisfying resolution. While some appreciate the whimsical premise and occasional heartfelt moments, many describe the pacing as uneven and the storyline as forgettable. The balance between originality and substance is therefore perceived as insufficient, resulting in a mixed evaluation of the story.
- Sensory Experience 78
Sensory experience is highlighted as a notable strength. Reviewers commend the film’s distinctive visual palette, striking cinematography, and a poignant musical score that enhances mood. The stylized design and colorful environments receive repeated commendation, and the soundtrack is noted for adding emotional texture. Although sound design is less frequently discussed, the overall auditory and visual cohesion contributes positively to the viewing experience.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor receives a middling appraisal. Some viewers find comfort in the film's quirky charm and recommend it for fans of British humor and Scrabble-themed narratives, suggesting modest replay value. Conversely, many note boredom, a thin plot, and an unsatisfying conclusion that diminish desire for subsequent viewings. The combination of appealing moments and considerable narrative flaws leads to an average rewatch potential.
Sometimes Always Never Box Office
Sometimes Always Never grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $39,191 came from the US and Canada and $1.4 million (97%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.4M
- US & Canada
- $39.2K
- International
- $1.4M
Sometimes Always Never Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 4 trailers and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Trailer Cutdown
- Trailer Official UK Trailer
- Trailer Short Trailer
- Featurette Sometimes Always Never - the title explained
Cars in Sometimes Always Never
8 cars on screen, including the 1999 SAAB 9-3 Cabrio and the 1967 Triumph Herald 13/60 Convertible.
-
1999 SAAB 9-3 Cabrio Important role -
1967 Triumph Herald 13/60 Convertible Important role -
Bedford CF Mk1 Minor role -
1982 Leyland-National Mk 2 Minor role
Sometimes Always Never Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “A szavak ereje” and “Parfois toujours jamais”.
- Also known as
-
- A szavak ereje
- Parfois toujours jamais
- Bazen Daima Asla
- Понякога винаги никога
- Иногда. Всегда. Никогда
- 有时候,永远不
- Czasem, zawsze, nigdy
- Síla slov
- 寂寞裁縫師
- 행복의 단추를 채우는 완벽한 방법
- Palavras de Família
- Інколи завжди ніколи
Seen Sometimes Always Never?
Movies Like Sometimes Always Never
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sometimes Always Never, Sometimes and Sometime Other than Now.
-
Sometimes Always Never 2020 -
Sometimes 2018 -
Sometime Other than Now 2021 -
Sometimes a Great Notion 1971 -
Never Rarely Sometimes Always 2020 -
Charlotte Sometimes 2003 -
Sometime, Sometime 2020 -
Defining Moments 2021 -
Always and Forever 2009 -
Never Have I Ever 2025 -
Never Steady, Never Still 2018 -
An Ordinary Mother 2022
Sometimes Always Never FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Sometimes Always Never, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sometimes Always Never?
Sometimes Always Never runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Sometimes Always Never released?
Sometimes Always Never was released on October 12, 2018.
Who directed Sometimes Always Never?
Sometimes Always Never was directed by Carl Hunter.
More films by Carl Hunter Who is in the cast of Sometimes Always Never?
Sometimes Always Never stars Bill Nighy as Alan, Tim McInnerny as Arthur and Jenny Agutter as Margaret, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Sometimes Always Never make at the box office?
Sometimes Always Never grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($39,191 domestic, $1.4 million international).
Does Sometimes Always Never have a post-credit scene?
No. Sometimes Always Never has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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