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The Cleaners (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Cleaners (2018) movie poster

The Cleaners is a 2018 documentary directed by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck, starring Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg and David Kaye. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $43,670 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$43.7K
Echo Score
65
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The Cleaners (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Cleaners About?

The premise of The Cleaners without spoilers.

A team of anonymous "digital cleaners" work tirelessly behind the scenes, removing disturbing and controversial content from the internet. This fascinating documentary explores the crucial, often unseen, work they do, sanitizing online spaces and attempting to balance freedom of expression with the need for social responsibility. The film offers a revealing look at the forces shaping our digital world and the individuals tasked with maintaining some semblance of order within it.

The Cleaners Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • big data
  • society
  • current affairs
  • politics
  • technology
  • digital
  • social media
  • internet censorship
  • corporate censorship
  • reference to facebook
  • reference to google
  • censorship
+38 more
  • reference to the internet
  • facebook
  • censoring the internet
  • posted on the internet
  • reference to mark zuckerberg
  • censor
  • social media account
  • social media posting
  • internet censor
  • social media campaign
  • social media troller
  • banned from social media
  • internet platform
  • user generated content
  • community guidelines
  • content moderator
  • online content
  • monitoring
  • job training
  • social media moderator
  • google
  • reference to child pornography
  • outsourcing
  • philippines
  • twitter
  • machine learning
  • manila philippines
  • reference to donald trump
  • algorithm
  • learning algorithm
  • reference to terrorism
  • reference to homeland security
  • internet grooming
  • radicalization
  • reference to a beheading
  • youtube
  • freedom of expression
  • activism
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Cast & crew

The Cleaners Cast

Donald Trump leads the cast, with Mark Zuckerberg and David Kaye. Directed by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Cleaners

· 7 more
From the directors

More from Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck

One more film directed by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck: Eternal You.

Ratings

The Cleaners Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Cleaners 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

65 /100

The Cleaners Echo Score Breakdown

The Cleaners offers an insightful look at corporate decisions shaping online content, but uneven thematic focus limits its impact. Reviews highlight its compelling access and urgent questions around censorship, while noting the documentary sometimes scans topics without fully integrating them. Its brisk 88-minute runtime delivers noteworthy moments but leaves some threads underdeveloped. The result is a thought-provoking yet uneven exploration of digital moderation that resonates but lacks complete cohesion.

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 craftsmanship, the film exhibits strong directorial clarity and cohesive editing that guide viewers through dense subject matter. Its production design and cinematography convey an understated aesthetic that supports the thematic urgency without overwhelming. However, the brisk pacing sometimes sacrifices deeper visual elaboration. Overall, its artful construction underscores key ideas while retaining accessibility.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to emotional resonance, the documentary relies on firsthand accounts but provides limited background on the individuals involved. This lack of character depth reduces viewer intimacy and makes it difficult to form strong connections. While moments of personal insight surface, the uneven focus on interviewees prevents sustained engagement. Overall, the emotional impact remains moderate.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of narrative structure, the film presents a chronological exploration of content moderation but occasionally jumps between topics without clear transitions. This uneven pacing undermines coherence, as some thematic threads receive only cursory attention. Nevertheless, its original premise and engaging anecdotes provide valuable insights. The overall storytelling is informative yet fragmented, offering both depth and disjointed segments.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding sensory elements, the documentary employs a stark visual style and impactful imagery that provoke a sense of urgency. Its sound design emphasizes interview excerpts and ambient noise to reinforce thematic tension. The understated musical cues avoid distraction but also limit emotional buildup. Overall, the sensory experience is effective in conveying the film’s urgent tone while remaining restrained.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of replay value, the film’s topical relevance encourages repeat viewings for viewers interested in digital ethics. However, its rapid pacing and informational density can become overwhelming on subsequent viewings. The uneven integration of themes may diminish its lasting appeal. Overall, it holds moderate rewatch potential for engaged audiences.

Box office

The Cleaners Box Office

The Cleaners grossed $43,670 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$43.7K

International
$43.7K
Details

The Cleaners Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “¿Quién controla la red?: los limpiadores” and “Im Schatten der Netzwelt - The Cleaners”.

Also known as
  • ¿Quién controla la red?: los limpiadores
  • Im Schatten der Netzwelt - The Cleaners
  • Чистильщики
  • Les Nettoyeurs du Web
  • Czyściciele internetu
  • Quello che i social non dicono - The cleaners
  • Čističi
  • 网络审查员
  • 網路清道夫

Seen The Cleaners?

FAQ

The Cleaners FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Cleaners?

The Cleaners runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The Cleaners released?

The Cleaners was released on November 23, 2018.

Who directed The Cleaners?

The Cleaners was directed by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck.

More films by Hans Block

Who is in the cast of The Cleaners?

The Cleaners stars Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg and David Kaye, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Cleaners make at the box office?

The Cleaners grossed $43,670 worldwide.

How is The Cleaners rated?

The Cleaners has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Cleaners have a post-credit scene?

No. The Cleaners has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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