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The Absence of Eden (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Absence of Eden (2024) movie poster

The Absence of Eden is a 2024 drama directed by Marco Perego, starring Tom Waits as Hunley, Zoe Saldana and Garrett Hedlund. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $41,253 worldwide. Critics gave it 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
39%
worldwide gross
$41.3K
Echo Score
71
Metascore
55
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The Absence of Eden (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Marco Perego
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Absence of Eden About?

The premise of The Absence of Eden without spoilers.

Amidst intense border security operations, an ICE agent struggling with his own demons and a desperate undocumented woman forge an unexpected partnership. Their mission is to rescue a young person held captive by a violent cartel. As they confront dangerous situations and difficult choices, they seek redemption and reaffirm their shared humanity.

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Cast & crew

The Absence of Eden Cast & Characters

Tom Waits leads the cast as Hunley, with Zoe Saldana as Esmee, Carmen and Garrett Hedlund as Shipp. Directed by Marco Perego; 20 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Absence of Eden Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Absence of Eden 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (45).

71 /100

The Absence of Eden Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Absence of Eden delivers a visually compelling experience bolstered by strong performances, yet its narrative structure remains uneven. Critics and viewers alike commend the cinematography and Zoe Saldaña’s portrayal, while repeatedly noting a lack of plot cohesion and unresolved storylines. The film’s thematic relevance is evident, but its pacing and script limitations hinder sustained engagement. Consequently, the movie offers a mixed impression that balances artistic merit with storytelling shortcomings.

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 craftsmanship, the film is frequently highlighted for its striking cinematography and meticulous framing. Critics note the powerful visuals that often compensate for other weaknesses, and several viewers describe each frame as photograph‑like. While editing pace receives less specific commentary, the overall production design contributes to a polished aesthetic, establishing artful execution as a principal strength.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When evaluating acting and character depth, the performances receive consistent praise, particularly Zoe Saldaña’s nuanced portrayal. Critics acknowledge a solid ensemble that conveys emotional weight despite script constraints. However, some reviews point to underdeveloped secondary figures and a script that limits emotional resonance. Overall, the acting elevates the material, providing a compelling emotional core that partially offsets narrative deficiencies.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative structure is identified as the film’s principal weakness. Critics repeatedly mention a lack of originality, fragmented plotlines, and unresolved story arcs, while users echo concerns about slow pacing and unanswered questions. Though thematic intentions are clear and moments of tension arise, the overall coherence suffers, resulting in a story that fails to sustain momentum or fully engage the audience.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience is regularly highlighted for its strong visual style and impactful soundscape. Critics and viewers commend the film’s vivid color palette, composition, and immersive sound design, noting that these elements frequently elevate the viewing experience. While the soundtrack receives limited specific attention, the overall sensory cohesion reinforces the film’s atmospheric tone and contributes positively to its aesthetic appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Assessing rewatch potential reveals a divided reception. Viewers who connect with the thematic urgency and strong performances express willingness to revisit the film, noting its emotional resonance. Conversely, criticisms of pacing, unresolved plot threads, and narrative ambiguity diminish its appeal for subsequent viewings. Overall, the film offers moments that merit repeat consideration, but structural shortcomings limit its broader rewatchability.

Box office

The Absence of Eden Box Office

The Absence of Eden grossed $41,253 worldwide. $37,265 came from the US and Canada and $3,988 (10%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$41.3K

US & Canada
$37.3K
International
$4K
US & Canada 90% Rest of the world 10%
Videos

The Absence of Eden Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
Details

The Absence of Eden Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Keyhole Garden” and “Beyond the Borders”.

Also known as
  • Keyhole Garden
  • Beyond the Borders
  • Frontera de fuego
  • Отсутствие Эдема

Seen The Absence of Eden?

FAQ

The Absence of Eden FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Absence of Eden?

The Absence of Eden runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was The Absence of Eden released?

The Absence of Eden was released on April 12, 2024.

Who directed The Absence of Eden?

The Absence of Eden was directed by Marco Perego.

Who is in the cast of The Absence of Eden?

The Absence of Eden stars Tom Waits as Hunley, Zoe Saldana as Esmee, Carmen and Garrett Hedlund as Shipp, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Absence of Eden make at the box office?

The Absence of Eden grossed $41,253 worldwide ($37,265 domestic, $3,988 international).

How is The Absence of Eden rated?

The Absence of Eden has 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic, 54% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Absence of Eden have a post-credit scene?

No. The Absence of Eden has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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