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Action adventure film

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

Suzume (2023) movie poster

Suzume is a 2023 action adventure film directed by Makoto Shinkai, starring Nanoka Hara as Suzume Iwato, Hokuto Matsumura and Kana Hanazawa. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $221.3 million worldwide on a $13 million budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2024. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$221.3M
award nominations
3
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Suzume (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
Makoto Shinkai
Original language
Japanese
Budget
$13M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Suzume About?

The premise of Suzume without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In Kyushu, Japan, 17-year-old Suzume lives with her aunt, still grappling with the unresolved mystery of her mother's disappearance. Her quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of Souta, a young man searching for an ancient door. Their journey leads them into the mountains, where Suzume realizes the door holds a dangerous power, unleashing calamities across Japan. They must now embark on a perilous quest to close the doors and prevent further disasters, facing unknown challenges and uncovering secrets along the way.

Suzume Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dead mother
  • disaster
  • cat
  • rain
  • door
  • 2011 tohoku earthquake
  • travel
  • life
  • dream
  • anime animation
  • teenager
  • teenage girl
+38 more
  • 17 year old
  • 17 year old girl
  • aunt niece relationship
  • loss of mother
  • chair
  • child's chair
  • bullet train
  • ferry
  • kobe japan
  • tokyo japan
  • car accident
  • keystone
  • kyushu japan
  • high school student
  • bicycle
  • convertible
  • earthquake
  • building a chair
  • rest stop
  • college student
  • hospital room
  • road trip
  • talking chair
  • magical cat
  • parallel dimension
  • scene during end credits
  • orphan
  • key
  • keyhole
  • blushing
  • full moon
  • ehime japan
  • god
  • roller coaster
  • train station
  • japan
  • talking cat
  • karaoke
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Cast & crew

Suzume Cast & Characters

Nanoka Hara leads the cast as Suzume Iwato, with Hokuto Matsumura as Souta Munakata and Kana Hanazawa as Tsubame Iwato. Directed by Makoto Shinkai; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Suzume

· 6 more
From the director

More from Makoto Shinkai

More films directed by Makoto Shinkai, best-rated first: Your Name., Weathering with You, Weathering with You and Cross Road.

Full filmography
Ratings

Suzume Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Suzume 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

84 /100

Suzume Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a striking visual experience, with a resonant emotional core, though narrative pacing falters in the latter half, leading to mixed impressions. Critics and audiences alike commend the animation and soundtrack, while noting the romance and plot cohesion feel uneven. The characters evoke empathy, yet some relationships seem under‑developed. The ending’s melancholy leaves a lingering impact that may affect rewatch enthusiasm. Overall, Suzume stands as a visually impressive, emotionally engaging work that is somewhat hindered by storytelling inconsistencies.

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 direction and visual craft, Suzume excels with richly detailed backgrounds and fluid animation that draw viewers into its world. Critics repeatedly highlight the awe‑inspiring artistry and seamless integration of fantastical elements, and users echo this praise, describing the film as a visual masterpiece. Minor criticism concerns occasional editing intrusions, but overall the art and production design remain outstanding.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character depth and emotional resonance, Suzume offers nuanced performances that connect audiences to the protagonist’s journey. Reviewers commend the heartfelt portrayals and the film’s ability to evoke empathy, though some note the central romance feels under‑developed and occasionally taken for granted. Overall, the characters are engaging and memorable, providing a solid emotional anchor amidst the spectacle.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding plot cohesion and pacing, Suzume presents an ambitious narrative that intertwines personal growth with historical themes. While many praise its originality and emotional beats, critics point out uneven pacing and a finale that some find excessively melancholic, leading to a perception of narrative inconsistency. Consequently, the story’s strengths are tempered by structural weaknesses that affect overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, Suzume delivers a lush soundtrack and meticulous sound design that complement its vivid visual style. Reviewers frequently mention the immersive auditory landscape and the harmonious blend of music with on‑screen action. Few criticisms emerge, with occasional remarks about the romance interfering with tonal consistency. Overall, the sensory elements significantly enhance the film’s atmospheric depth.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Considering replay value, Suzume’s striking visuals and emotive moments encourage repeat viewings for viewers who appreciate its artistic merit. Audiences express high enthusiasm, often rating it as a personal favorite, though some note that the somber ending may diminish desire for subsequent watches. Overall, the film holds solid rewatch appeal, especially for fans of Shinkai’s style.

Plot

Suzume Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Suzume from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the film opens, we are taken back by a heartfelt flashback to a serene field where a young Suzume Iwato wanders alone, her voice echoing as she calls out for her mother. This touching moment is brightened by a gentle smile, and as Suzume’s tears fade, we shift to her older self who awakens from this poignant dream.

Now a teenager living with her aunt Tamaki Iwato in Kyushu, Suzume’s daily life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Sota Munakata, who ignites a familiar spark within her. While she navigates the trials of high school, the memory of this mysterious stranger lingers in her mind, drawing her further into an intriguing journey.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Suzume Box Office & Budget

Suzume grossed $221.3 million worldwide on a $13 million budget, 17 times what it cost. $10.9 million came from the US and Canada and $210.4 million (95%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$221.3M

17× its budget

US & Canada
$10.9M
International
$210.4M
Budget
$13M
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Awards

Suzume Awards & Nominations

Suzume earned 3 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2024. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Suzume Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 5 trailers, 7 clips, 1 featurette and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 16 videos
Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2 [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Dub Trailer
  • Trailer Official Netflix Trailer 1
  • Trailer Official Netflix Trailer 2 [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Suzume?

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

Who is the voice actor for the older version of Suzume?

Details

Suzume Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Suzume no Tojimari” and “Suzume's Door-Locking”.

Also known as
  • Suzume no Tojimari
  • Suzume's Door-Locking
  • A Porta Fechada de Suzume
  • 鈴芽的門鎖
  • 关门雀
  • Suzume Locking Up the Doors
  • ซุซุเมะ
  • 铃芽小姐来锁门
  • 铃芽户缔
  • सुज़ुमे
  • Suzume's Locking Up
  • Khóa chặt cửa nào Suzume
+13 more
  • 스즈메의 문단속
  • سوزومی
  • 鈴芽之旅
  • 铃芽之旅
  • Судзуме, що зачиняє двері
  • Судзуме, та що зачиняє двері
  • Судзумэ, закрывающая двери
  • قفل باب سوزومي
  • Судзуме, зачиняє двері
  • การผนึกประตูของซุซุเมะ
  • סוזומה
  • Сузуме
  • سوزومه, სუზუმე

Seen Suzume?

FAQ

Suzume FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Suzume, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Suzume?

Suzume runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Suzume released?

Suzume was released on April 14, 2023.

Who directed Suzume?

Suzume was directed by Makoto Shinkai.

More films by Makoto Shinkai

Who is in the cast of Suzume?

Suzume stars Nanoka Hara as Suzume Iwato, Hokuto Matsumura as Souta Munakata and Kana Hanazawa as Tsubame Iwato, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Suzume make at the box office?

Suzume grossed $221.3 million worldwide ($10.9 million domestic, $210.4 million international) on a budget of $13 million.

How is Suzume rated?

Suzume has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Was Suzume nominated for any awards?

Suzume received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does Suzume have a post-credit scene?

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

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