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Comedy drama

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch (2019) movie poster

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Michael Steiner, starring Joel Basman as Motti Wolkenbruch, Udo Samel and Inge Maux. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $25,162 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
worldwide gross
$25.2K
Echo Score
75
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The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Michael Steiner
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
German
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch About?

The premise of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Motti Wolkenbruch’s future seems predetermined by tradition, but he challenges expectations when he falls for someone unexpected. Torn between honoring his family’s customs and pursuing his own happiness, he grapples with questions of identity and love. This heartwarming story explores the complexities of cultural heritage and the courage it takes to forge one's own path.

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mother son relationship
  • jewish community
  • loss of virginity
  • orthodox jew
  • sexual awakening
  • male virgin
  • bare chested male
  • leek
  • jewish family
  • grocery store
  • cookies
  • breaking the fourth wall by talking to the audience
+38 more
  • birth
  • circumcision
  • bar mitzvah
  • moving furniture down stairs
  • guilt trip
  • bicycle
  • pant clip
  • car collision
  • broken glasses
  • beard
  • shaving
  • family dinner
  • reference to woody allen
  • chain smoker
  • card reading
  • kiss on the cheek
  • knife
  • shower scene
  • meddling mother
  • singing
  • rock band
  • rabbi
  • shrine
  • group meditation
  • beach
  • alcohol
  • drunkenness
  • adult male virgin
  • first sexual experience
  • mistaken for gay
  • bouquet of flowers
  • party
  • dancing
  • premarital sex
  • boy in underpants
  • thrown out of house
  • crying man
  • dying woman
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Cast & crew

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Cast & Characters

Joel Basman leads the cast as Motti Wolkenbruch, with Udo Samel as Tate Moishe Wolkenbruch and Inge Maux as Mame Judith Wolkenbruch. Directed by Michael Steiner; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch

· 6 more
From the director

More from Michael Steiner

More films directed by Michael Steiner: And Tomorrow You Will Be Dead, The Swiss Miss Massacre, Sennentuntschi: Curse of the Alps and Grounding: The Last Days of Swissair.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Echo Score Breakdown

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch offers a pleasant comedic exploration of a young man’s departure from tradition, displaying endearing humor and likable performances. While many viewers praised its warm-hearted tone and engaging character moments, criticism arose over the simplified narrative structure and an inconclusive final act that felt rushed. Visually coherent and often amusing, the film’s cultural specificity adds charm but limits its broader depth. Despite uneven plotting, it maintains a generally spirited appeal that balances its shortcomings with genuine warmth.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film presents competent framing and an accessible visual style that supports its comedic tone. Viewers noted an early Woody Allen–esque clarity in shot composition and understated set design. Although some observers found the production elements serviceable rather than innovative, the overall art direction remains cohesive and conducive to the story’s lighthearted atmosphere.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    For character depth and emotional resonance, the lead delivers a nuanced performance that balances humor with vulnerability. Reviewers praised the strong supporting cast and specific portrayals that bring cultural context to life. Some viewers noted occasional stereotype-driven moments but still found the chemistry engaging. Overall, character work contributes warmth and relatability despite intermittent superficiality.

  • Story & Flow 60

    When it comes to plot coherence and pacing, the film offers an accessible coming-of-age arc that resonates through its cultural lens. Many viewers enjoyed the engaging comedic beats, yet a number of comments highlighted an uneven narrative flow and a final act that feels abrupt. While the premise remains appealing, the storytelling occasionally sacrifices resolution for whimsy, leaving the overall structure somewhat underdeveloped.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of visual style and sound, the movie maintains a coherent aesthetic with an understated color palette and crisp dialogue delivery. The soundtrack unobtrusively supports the comedic mood, though few viewers commented on memorable musical motifs. Sound design remains serviceable, and the visual cohesion aids narrative clarity without drawing attention away from the performances. Ultimately, the sensory elements reliably uphold the film’s tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When considering replay value, the film’s charming humor and cultural specificity create moments that viewers might revisit fondly. Many enjoyed the witty dialogue and heartwarming scenarios enough to recommend it to peers. However, the simplified narrative and abrupt conclusion may limit repeated full-length viewing for some audiences. Overall, the rewatch factor remains modest, buoyed by engaging character moments yet tempered by unresolved story threads.

Plot

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Plot Summary

What happens in The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A young Jewish Orthodox student, Motti Wolkenbruch, portrayed by Joel Basman, finds himself entangled in a turbulent love affair that pits him against his traditional family values. Caught between fulfilling his mother’s wishes and pursuing his desires, Motti’s life takes a dramatic turn when he falls for Laura, a captivating girl who is not Jewish. While Motti is studying economics at university, his mother, eager for him to settle down, constantly arranges dates in hopes of marrying him off soon.

Full summary

The whole story of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Box Office

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch grossed $25,162 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$25.2K

International
$25.2K
Videos

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Videos

The clip of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch.

Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch?

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 main character in the movie?

Details

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Motti Wolkenbruchs oppvåkning” and “Удивительное путешествие Волкенбруха в объятья Шиксы”.

Also known as
  • Motti Wolkenbruchs oppvåkning
  • Удивительное путешествие Волкенбруха в объятья Шиксы
  • Le merveilleux voyage de Wolkenbruch
  • O Despertar de Motti
  • 莫蒂的异想天开之旅
  • Le formidable envol de Motti Wolkenbruch
  • Przebudzenie Mottiego Wolkenbrucha
  • El despertar de Motti Wolkenbruch
  • Non tutte le sciagure vengono dal cielo
  • 무슨 일이 생길지는 아무도 모른다
  • מוטי וולקנברוך מתעורר לחיים
  • Procitnutí Mottiho Wolkenbrucha

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FAQ

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch released?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch was released on October 25, 2019.

Who directed The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch was directed by Michael Steiner.

More films by Michael Steiner

Who is in the cast of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch stars Joel Basman as Motti Wolkenbruch, Udo Samel as Tate Moishe Wolkenbruch and Inge Maux as Mame Judith Wolkenbruch, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch make at the box office?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch grossed $25,162 worldwide.

How is The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch rated?

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 60% on TMDB, 2.9/5 on Letterboxd and 3.7/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch have a post-credit scene?

No. The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch in?

The original language of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch is German.

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