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Drama

Submission (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Submission (2018) movie poster

Submission is a 2018 drama directed by Richard Levine, starring Stanley Tucci as Ted Swenson, Colby Minifie and Addison Timlin. It is based on Submission by Michel Houellebecq and Lorin Stein. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $44,069 worldwide. Critics gave it 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
worldwide gross
$44.1K
Echo Score
55
Metascore
52
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Submission (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Richard Levine
Genre
Drama
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Submission About?

The premise of Submission without spoilers, adapted from Submission by Michel Houellebecq and Lorin Stein. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A struggling writer finds purpose and connection when he begins mentoring a gifted young student. Their shared love of writing fosters a close bond, but as their relationship deepens, it becomes increasingly complex. The mentor finds himself grappling with questions of influence, obligation, and the potential dangers of blurring professional boundaries in the pursuit of artistic inspiration.

Submission Themes & Keywords

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Cast & crew

Submission Cast & Characters

Stanley Tucci leads the cast as Ted Swenson, with Colby Minifie as Ruby Swenson and Addison Timlin as Angela Argo. Directed by Richard Levine; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Submission

· 8 more
From the director

More from Richard Levine

One more film directed by Richard Levine: Every Day.

Full filmography
Ratings

Submission Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Submission 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

55 /100

Submission Echo Score Breakdown

Submission combines thoughtful craft and persuasive performances with an uneven narrative coherence that limits its overall impact. Critics commend the film’s intelligent rendering and measured pacing in early scenes, as well as strong work from the cast and a polished visual presentation. However, predictability in the final act, restrained emotional resonance, and underdeveloped characters temper its achievements. In net effect, Submission offers moments of stimulation and a solid production framework but ultimately feels only modestly engaging and insufficiently compelling.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Submission demonstrates assured visual composition and measured editing but lacks sustained stylistic innovation. Critics note that Levine stages the intellectual battle with energetic framing and the film maintains a handsome appearance throughout. Continuity editing keeps sequences coherent, though occasional scenes feel underdeveloped in production design. Overall, the film’s visual rhythm is solid but rarely transcendent.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are consistently strong yet emotional resonance remains limited. Stanley Tucci’s controlled portrayal and Addison Timlin’s dynamic presence earn frequent praise, and supporting actors supply additional depth. However, many viewers found the characters underexplored, with some describing the leads as insipid or lacking chemistry. In summary, the acting elevates the project but emotional engagement falls short.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, Submission engages with thoughtful ideas but falters in originality and coherence. Reviews cite a stimulating premise and deliberate pacing in early acts, yet predictability emerges in the final third, undercutting narrative tension. Script issues leave certain plot developments feeling musty or unfinished, and satirical elements register only as restrained comments. Ultimately, the story feels uneven and insufficiently gripping.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Regarding the sensory experience, Submission achieves a pleasing audio-visual balance without fully distinguishing its style. The film’s sound design and non-diegetic score maintain a consistent tone that supports the restrained satire, while the cinematography offers measured lighting and framing. Yet, few sequences rise to memorable visual set pieces, and the overall aesthetic feels serviceable rather than distinctive. Thus, the sensory palette is competent but unexceptional.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Concerning the rewatch factor, Submission presents limited appeal upon subsequent viewings due to its narrative shortcomings. Although close analysis may reveal nuances in dialogue and performances, the predictability of key scenes diminishes repeated engagement. The restrained emotional register and lack of stylistic flair reduce lasting allure, so viewers are unlikely to return often. Overall, the film offers modest replay value and limited lasting impact.

Plot

Submission Plot Summary

What happens in Submission from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ted Swenson is a once-prominent author who, after the modest success of his first novel, settles into a long run as a creative writing professor at Euston College in Vermont. He hopes the next book will finally let him leave the campus behind, but roughly a decade passes and he remains a tenured instructor, shaping the minds (and ambitions) of a new generation of writers. When a standout student, Angela Argo, asks him to read the first chapter of Eggs, he recognizes a rare combination of confidence and polish in her prose that hints at real potential. The moment becomes a catalyst for a larger, more complicated set of events.

Full summary

The whole story of Submission, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Submission Box Office

Submission grossed $44,069 worldwide. $39,985 came from the US and Canada and $4,084 (9%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$44.1K

US & Canada
$40K
International
$4.1K
US & Canada 91% Rest of the world 9%
Videos

Submission Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Submission.

BLACKBEAR | Official Trailer (2019)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Submission?

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 profession does Ted Swenson hold at the start of the film?

Seen Submission?

FAQ

Submission FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Submission?

Submission runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Submission released?

Submission was released on March 2, 2018.

Who directed Submission?

Submission was directed by Richard Levine.

More films by Richard Levine

Who is in the cast of Submission?

Submission stars Stanley Tucci as Ted Swenson, Colby Minifie as Ruby Swenson and Addison Timlin as Angela Argo, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Submission make at the box office?

Submission grossed $44,069 worldwide ($39,985 domestic, $4,084 international).

How is Submission rated?

Submission has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 52 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Is Submission based on a book?

Yes. Submission is adapted from Submission by Michel Houellebecq and Lorin Stein.

Does Submission have a post-credit scene?

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

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