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Biographical drama

Ted K (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Ted K (2022) movie poster

Ted K is a 2022 biographical drama directed by Tony Stone, starring Sharlto Copley as Ted, Drew Powell and David Ward. It runs 2 hours and earned $51,544 worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$51.5K
Echo Score
68
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Ted K (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Tony Stone
Genres
Biography , Drama , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Ted K About?

The premise of Ted K without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Deep in the American wilderness, a solitary man's disconnection from society leads to radicalization and a path of terror. As the modern world intrudes upon his isolated existence, his actions escalate from sabotage to violence, triggering a nationwide manhunt. The unsettling events draw inspiration from a writer's cautionary tales and ultimately cement his place in history as America's most infamous terrorist, portrayed with intensity by Sharlto Copley.

Ted K Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • radical politics
  • manifesto
  • recluse
  • anti technology
  • anarcho primitivism
  • montana
  • cabin in the woods
  • daydream
  • male rear nudity
  • united states of america
  • porn magazine
  • based on true story
+38 more
  • terrorism
  • domestic terrorism
  • arrest
  • nudity
  • r rated
  • fbi
  • 1990s
  • unabomber
  • cabin
  • college professor
  • sabotage
  • bomb attack
  • radical
  • radicalization
  • true crime
  • criminal
  • seclusion
  • man hunt
  • killer
  • reference to theodore john ted kaczynski
  • reference to ted kaczynski
  • reference to theodore john 'unabomber' kaczynski
  • male protagonist
  • voice over narration
  • wilderness
  • arson
  • bomb
  • work
  • 1970s
  • 1980s
  • tv news
  • radio
  • listening to a radio
  • newsweek magazine
  • chopping wood
  • wood
  • first person narration
  • narration
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Cast & crew

Ted K Cast & Characters

Sharlto Copley leads the cast as Ted, with Drew Powell as Tom and David Ward as Steve. Directed by Tony Stone; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Tony Stone

More films directed by Tony Stone, best-rated first: Peter and the Farm and Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America.

Full filmography
Ratings

Ted K Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ted K 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

68 /100

Ted K Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Ted K presents a visually compelling portrait anchored by a powerful central performance, yet its narrative ambition is uneven. Critics highlight the film’s striking cinematography and Sharlto Copley’s nuanced portrayal, while several viewers note a sluggish pacing and a lack of deeper insight into the Unabomber’s motives. The mixed reception across craft, story, and replay value results in a moderate aggregate rating.

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 excels in visual composition, employing an understated color palette and meticulous framing that underscore the isolation of its subject. Critics and viewers repeatedly commend the artful shot‑making and evocative cinematography, noting how these elements elevate the material. However, occasional reliance on ambient music and montage is seen as a distraction, tempering the overall impact.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Regarding character and emotion, Sharlto Copley delivers a restrained yet intense performance that conveys the Unabomber’s inner turbulence without melodrama. Reviewers consistently cite his physicality and measured delivery as the film’s emotional core, allowing audiences to access a rarely humanized figure. Some viewers, however, feel the portrayal skirts deeper psychological insight, limiting emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story and flow present a procedural chronicle that assembles letters, manifestos, and personal moments into a linear narrative. While the script is praised for its faithful use of source material, many critics argue that the pacing is deliberate to a fault, leading to a sense of stagnation and insufficient contextual depth. Consequently, the plot’s engagement varies among viewers.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In sensory terms, the score blends ambient tones with natural soundscapes, reinforcing the film’s austere atmosphere. The sound design is noted for its clarity, though some reviewers find the soundtrack overly present, competing with dialogue. Visually, the composition harmonizes with the auditory elements, delivering a cohesive aesthetic that, despite occasional overemphasis, remains largely immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    The rewatch factor is modest; many audience members describe the film as intellectually interesting yet emotionally detached, reducing incentive for repeat viewings. While the visual and auditory craftsmanship may reward a second look, the sluggish pacing and limited narrative payoff diminish lasting appeal. Overall, the movie’s replay value is judged low to moderate.

Plot

Ted K Plot Summary

What happens in Ted K from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Since 1971, mathematical genius Ted Kaczynski has chosen a life of seclusion in a basic cabin near Lincoln, Montana, where he relies on his own skills to hunt for food and live without modern conveniences like electricity and running water. He is vehemently convinced that the advancements in technology are wreaking havoc on the planet.

Full summary

The whole story of Ted K, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Ted K Box Office

Ted K grossed $51,544 worldwide. $35,464 came from the US and Canada and $16,080 (31%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$51.5K

US & Canada
$35.5K
International
$16.1K
US & Canada 69% Rest of the world 31%
Videos

Ted K Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Ted K?

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 was Ted Kaczynski's primary motivation for his actions?

Details

Ted K Also Known As

38 alternative titles, including “Evil Dead Now” and “Evil Dead 5”.

Also known as
  • Evil Dead Now
  • Evil Dead 5
  • A gonosz halottak felkelése
  • מוות אכזרי 5
  • Evil Dead Rise: O despertar
  • Kötü Ruh 5
  • Kötü Ruh: Diriliş
  • ผีอผี มตะผงาด
  • A Morte do Demônio: A Ascensão
  • Восстание зловещих мертвецов
  • Kötü Ruh: Uyanış
  • Ma Cây Trỗi Dậy
+26 more
  • Posesión infernal: El despertar
  • La casa - Il risveglio del male
  • Evil Dead: El despertar
  • ผีอมตะผงาด
  • Martwe Zło: Przebudzenie
  • Повстання зловісних мерців
  • قيام الشر المميت
  • Vzostup zla
  • Gonosz halott - Az ébredés
  • Smrtelné zlo: Probuzení
  • להעיר את השד
  • 鬼玩人:復活
  • 이블 데드 라이즈
  • 鬼玩人崛起
  • Zla smrt: Buđenje
  • L'Opéra de la Terreur : Renaissance
  • 鬼玩人 : 復活
  • Зли мртви: Буђење
  • Evil Dead Rise - O Despertar
  • Zlobni mrtveci 5
  • Piktieji numirėliai prisikelia
  • Злите мъртви: Пробуждане
  • 死霊のはらわた ライジング
  • ظهور مرده شیطانی
  • Cartea morților: Posesie demonică, ბოროტი მკვდრების აღზევება
  • ईविल डेड राइज़

Seen Ted K?

FAQ

Ted K FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Ted K?

Ted K runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Ted K released?

Ted K was released on February 18, 2022.

Who directed Ted K?

Ted K was directed by Tony Stone.

More films by Tony Stone

Who is in the cast of Ted K?

Ted K stars Sharlto Copley as Ted, Drew Powell as Tom and David Ward as Steve, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Ted K make at the box office?

Ted K grossed $51,544 worldwide ($35,464 domestic, $16,080 international).

How is Ted K rated?

Ted K has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Ted K have a post-credit scene?

No. Ted K has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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