Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

The Burial (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Burial (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$172.6K
Echo Score
76
Loading streaming availability…
The Burial (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 6m (126 min)
Director
Maggie Betts
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$32.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Burial

· 15 more
Ratings

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).

76 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Burial Box Office & Budget

The Burial grossed $172,577 worldwide on a $32.5 million budget.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$172.6K

International
$172.6K
Budget
$32.5M
Videos

The Burial Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer
  • Clip Willie Gary's Origin Story
Quiz

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

  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

In what year do the events that spark the lawsuit take place?

Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app