The Burial (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Burial is a 2023 drama directed by Maggie Betts, starring Tommy Lee Jones as Jeremiah O'Keefe, Pamela Reed and Olivia Brody. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $172,577 worldwide on a $32.5 million budget. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 6m (126 min)
- Director
- Maggie Betts
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Amazon Studios
- Budget
- $32.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Burial About?
The premise of The Burial without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
When a respected funeral home owner faces a lawsuit threatening his livelihood, he finds an unlikely ally in a skilled lawyer. Together, they confront corporate greed and racial injustice in a David versus Goliath legal battle. As they delve deeper into the case, they forge an unexpected bond while exposing a troubling web of corruption and fighting for justice and a chance at redemption.
The Burial Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- docudrama drama
- legal drama
- settlement offer
- small business owner
- yacht
- financial difficulty
- reference to the southern baptist convention
- legacy
- florida
- scene during closing credits
- funeral home
- vancouver british columbia canada
+38 more Show fewer
- co written by director
- david and goliath struggle
- business disagreement
- culture clash
- price gouging
- private members club
- reference to a sharecropper
- american south
- jackson mississippi
- contract lawyer
- mississippi
- insurance business
- racial discrimination
- race relations
- biloxi mississippi
- reference to ponzi scheme
- family patriarch
- story continues during end credits
- license revoked
- personal injury lawyer
- year 1995
- funeral director
- black lawyer
- family owned business
- bankruptcy threat
- 75th birthday
- reference to slavery
- interracial relationships
- giant behemoth
- corrupt funeral business
- bigot
- flashy lifestyle
- kissimmee florida
- lawyer client relationship
- black female lawyer
- prologue and epilogue
- title co written by female
- handshake deal
The Burial Cast & Characters
Tommy Lee Jones leads the cast as Jeremiah O'Keefe, with Pamela Reed as Annette O'Keefe and Olivia Brody as Little O'Keefe Granddaughter. Directed by Maggie Betts; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Director Maggie Betts
-
Tommy Lee Jones as Jeremiah O'Keefe -
Pamela Reed as Annette O'Keefe - Olivia Brody as Little O'Keefe Granddaughter
-
Mamoudou Athie as Hal Dockins
Also Starring in The Burial
· 15 more- Jamie Foxx Willie Gary
- Amanda Warren Gloria Gary
- Jurnee Smollett Mame Downes
- Alan Ruck Mike Allred
- Bill Camp Ray Loewen
- Lance E. Nichols Judge Graves
- Billy Slaughter Robert Sperry
- Gralen Bryant Banks Walter Bell
- David Maldonado Jim Lafont
- Dorian Missick Reggie Douglas
- Lorna Street Dopson Hotel Receptionist
- Tywayne Wheatt Al Jones
- Keith Jefferson Dashaan Harris
- B.J. Clinkscales Chris Wakefield
- Christopher Winchester Steve
The Burial Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Burial 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
The Burial Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of overall quality, The Burial is propelled by commanding performances and assured direction but offset by a familiar narrative arc. Critics and viewers note the film’s ability to combine gravity and humor in courtroom scenes while also pointing out its predictable beats and occasional lapses in pacing. The ensemble execution sustains engagement, yet the script’s reliance on legal drama tropes prevents the film from feeling wholly fresh. Overall, it delivers an entertaining yet moderately conventional legal drama.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, Maggie Betts’s direction is steady and the visual composition is serviceable but rarely surprising. Critics praise the film’s clean editing and coherent staging, though few scenes stand out for distinctive design or inventive camera work. The production values support the narrative without drawing undue attention. Overall, the craftsmanship remains competent but conventional.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from commanding performances and strong chemistry. Reviewers highlight Jamie Foxx’s dynamic portrayal and Tommy Lee Jones’s grounded presence, which provide depth and charisma. Supporting cast members contribute nuanced moments, even as some secondary roles feel underdeveloped. Emotional stakes are consistently maintained throughout the courtroom sequences. Overall, the character work is a clear strength of the film.
- Story & Flow 70
In terms of story and flow, The Burial follows a familiar David versus Goliath structure with measured pacing. Critics note that the narrative delivers engaging courtroom drama and social themes but does so within genre conventions, leading to occasional predictability. The script balances humor and seriousness, though some plot events feel telegraphed. Overall, the story maintains interest without breaking new ground.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design are generally well-matched to the courtroom setting, with Michael Abels’s score providing appropriate mood. Visual style remains restrained, adhering to realistic framing and an understated palette. Some viewers find a few musical cues overly corny, yet most agree that the audiovisual elements support rather than distract. Overall, the sensory presentation is solid and unobtrusive.
- Rewatch Factor 65
When it comes to rewatch factor, The Burial offers moderate replay value through its strong lead performances and moments of humor. Audience feedback suggests that while the courtroom drama remains engaging on first viewing, the film’s reliance on familiar tropes reduces its novelty on subsequent watches. The emotional beats retain some appeal, but few elements compel repeated viewings. Overall, the rewatch potential is modest.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 83%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
39673 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Burial Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Burial from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1995, a financially troubled funeral home owner Jeremiah O’Keefe, Tommy Lee Jones, is forced to sell parts of his business to meet the demands of the Mississippi State Insurance Commission after money vanishes in a Ponzi scheme run by a business associate. He strikes a deal with Raymond Loewen of the Loewen Group to buy three funeral homes, on the strict condition that funeral insurance not be sold to settle the arrangement. Four months pass and Loewen still delays payment, never honoring the oral agreement about not selling funeral insurance.
Full summary
The whole story of The Burial, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Burial Box Office & Budget
The Burial grossed $172,577 worldwide on a $32.5 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$172.6K
- International
- $172.6K
- Budget
- $32.5M
The Burial Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers and 1 clip.
- Teaser Teaser
- Teaser Teaser Trailer
- Clip Willie Gary's Origin Story
How Well Do You Know The Burial?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year do the events that spark the lawsuit take place?
The Burial Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “The Burial: Krieg der Bestatter” and “خاکسپاری”.
- Also known as
-
- The Burial: Krieg der Bestatter
- خاکسپاری
- 더 베리얼
- Погребение
- Похороны
- Death Business
- Поховання
- O Próprio Enterro
- 眠りの地
- الدفن
- 埋葬
- Enterrando una ambición
+14 more Show fewer
- הקבורה
- Pogrzebani
- Cenaze
- Krieg der Bestatter
- 위대한 유산
- Pohřeb
- The Burial - Il caso O’Keefe
- ความยุติธรรมที่ถูกฝัง
- A temetés
- Το Θάψιμο
- Сахрана
- Pogreb
- Înmormântarea
- Laidotuvės
Seen The Burial?
Movies Like The Burial
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Burial Society, Just Buried and Bury Me Dead.
The Burial FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Burial, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Burial?
The Burial runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).
When was The Burial released?
The Burial was released on October 6, 2023.
Who directed The Burial?
The Burial was directed by Maggie Betts.
Who is in the cast of The Burial?
The Burial stars Tommy Lee Jones as Jeremiah O'Keefe, Pamela Reed as Annette O'Keefe and Olivia Brody as Little O'Keefe Granddaughter, among 19 credited actors.
How much did The Burial make at the box office?
The Burial grossed $172,577 worldwide on a budget of $32.5 million.
How is The Burial rated?
The Burial has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Does The Burial have a post-credit scene?
No. The Burial has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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