The Actor (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Actor is a 2025 crime thriller directed by Duke Johnson, starring André Holland as Paul Cole, Gemma Chan and Toby Jones. It is partly based on Memory by Donald E. Westlake. It earned $42,753 worldwide. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Stream it on Hulu and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Director
- Duke Johnson
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Esme Grace Media/COIL
- Based on
- Memory by Donald E. Westlake
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Actor About?
The premise of The Actor without spoilers, adapted from Memory by Donald E. Westlake.
Paul Cole finds himself lost in a perplexing small town, completely lacking any memory of his identity or how he arrived. Stripped of a sense of purpose, he begins anew and develops a connection with a local costume designer named Edna. Fragments of his past gradually resurface as he tries to piece together his life and find his way back home.
The Actor Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- music record
- two word title
- love affair
- male protagonist
- knocked unconscious
- hotel room
- wallet
- new york new york
- getting a job
- sudden memory loss
- watch
- pigeon
+38 more Show fewer
- money
- reference to casper the friendly ghost
- movie theater
- man
- woman
- notes
- room for rent sign
- room for rent
- bar
- beer
- woman dressed as a clown
- jukebox
- asian woman
- halloween
- dancing
- pitching
- address
- lark
- stars
- snowing
- kiss
- watching tv
- christmas tree
- playbill
- time
- walking away
- bus
- finding oneself
- raining
- taxi
- locked door
- apartment
- stranger
- yelling
- bruised face
- bare chested male
- chair placed against a door
- man hugs a man
Where to Watch The Actor
Stream it on Hulu and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
The Actor Cast & Characters
André Holland leads the cast as Paul Cole, with Gemma Chan as Edna and Toby Jones. Directed by Duke Johnson; 19 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Duke Johnson
- André Holland as Paul Cole
-
Gemma Chan as Edna -
Toby Jones -
Tracey Ullman as Mrs. Malloy, Helen, Deerville Woman
Also Starring in The Actor
· 15 more- Joe Cole
- Simon McBurney
- Camille Chen Edith
- Tanya Reynolds
- Scott Alexander Young
- Youssef Kerkour
- Asim Chaudhry
- Kevin Miles Patrick
- Olwen Fouéré
- Edward Hogg
- Harry Chaskin Announcer
- Thomas Dominique Phil
- May Calamawy
- Cassie Lauren Lewis Mrs. Wilson
- Fabien Frankel
The Actor Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Actor 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
The Actor Echo Score Breakdown
The Actor offers a visually striking experience tempered by uneven narrative depth. Reviewers consistently praise the film’s art direction and evocative cinematography, but note that emotional resonance wavers due to inconsistent character development. The haunting premise and atmospheric tone generate intrigue, yet pacing shifts and a sentimental resolution limit lasting impact. Overall, it provides a moderately engaging but structurally uneven viewing experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art & craft, the film demonstrates a strong visual identity through measured framing and evocative color choices. Critics and viewers alike highlight the distinctive cinematography and carefully designed sets that reinforce the film’s dreamlike quality. Directional choices maintain a consistent tone, balancing stylized imagery with narrative clarity. The overall aesthetic coherence is a notable asset.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character & emotion, the lead performance is frequently commended for its natural presence, even as reviewers note limited emotional range in key moments. Supporting roles are uneven, with occasional overacting undermining relational chemistry. While there are glimpses of emotional depth, inconsistent characterization prevents a fully resonant connection with the protagonist’s journey.
- Story & Flow 75
In terms of story & flow, the haunting premise generates initial intrigue but transitions into more conventional narrative beats. Some critics find the pacing deliberate yet absorbing, while others perceive a loss of momentum in the film’s second half. Originality of themes around identity is recognized, but unresolved threads and a sentimental resolution detract from sustained engagement.
- Sensory Experience 80
When examining the sensory experience, the film’s atmospheric soundtrack and nuanced sound design effectively evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. Visual style is consistently praised for its moody lighting and cohesive production design. Critics point to occasional lapses in urgency, but for many viewers, the auditory and visual elements combine to create an immersive, otherworldly tone that enhances the film’s thematic aims.
- Rewatch Factor 55
With regard to rewatch factor, responses vary as the film’s ambiguity can invite further reflection but may also frustrate repeated viewing. While some viewers are drawn back by its striking imagery and conceptual depth, others find the narrative’s unresolved aspects limit its lasting appeal. Overall, the tendency toward abstraction may encourage discussion but not broad replay value.
-
IMDb 5.4 /10
1107 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 78% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
4242 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Actor Box Office
The Actor grossed $42,753 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$42.8K
- US & Canada
- $42.8K
The Actor Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Actor.
Cars in The Actor
55 cars on screen, including the 2012 Nissan Maxima and the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
-
2012 Nissan Maxima Main role -
2014 Chevrolet Impala Important role -
2003 Hummer H2 Important role -
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 R230 Important role
The Actor Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Memory” and “Актёр”.
- Also known as
-
- Memory
- Актёр
- 디 액터
- Actorul rătăcit
- 演员
Seen The Actor?
Movies Like The Actor
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Man Without a Past, The Actor and The Missing Person.
The Actor FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Actor, each answered in a sentence.
When was The Actor released?
The Actor was released on March 14, 2025.
Who directed The Actor?
The Actor was directed by Duke Johnson.
More films by Duke Johnson Who is in the cast of The Actor?
The Actor stars André Holland as Paul Cole, Gemma Chan as Edna and Toby Jones, among 19 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Actor?
In the US, The Actor is streaming on Hulu and Kanopy and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Actor make at the box office?
The Actor grossed $42,753 worldwide.
How is The Actor rated?
The Actor has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Is The Actor based on a book?
Yes. The Actor is partly adapted from Memory by Donald E. Westlake.
Does The Actor have a post-credit scene?
No. The Actor has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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