Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

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

The Creator (2023) movie poster

The Creator is a 2023 action thriller directed by Gareth Edwards, starring John David Washington as Joshua, Gemma Chan and Ralph Ineson. It runs 2 hours 13 minutes and earned $104.3 million worldwide on a $80 million budget. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$104.3M
award nominations
7
Loading streaming availability…
The Creator (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 13m (133 min)
Director
Gareth Edwards
Genres
Action , Adventure , Drama , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$80M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Creator About?

The premise of The Creator without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a dystopian future where artificial intelligence has sparked a devastating war against humanity, a former special forces operative named Joshua is drawn into the conflict. Still haunted by the disappearance of his wife, he's recruited to hunt down the elusive Creator, the brilliant mind behind the advanced AI and powerful weapons pushing the world toward annihilation. His mission will force him to confront difficult questions about humanity, technology, and the very nature of creation.

The Creator Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • artificial intelligence
  • robot
  • future war
  • fictional war
  • robot sci fi
  • nuclear explosion
  • space station
  • nuclear attack
  • nuclear fallout
  • future
  • futuristic
  • technology
+38 more
  • battle
  • attack
  • ex special forces
  • android
  • human versus robot
  • killer robot
  • epic sci fi
  • interracial marriage
  • husband wife relationship
  • divided into chapters
  • asia
  • los angeles california
  • flying boat
  • laboratory
  • secret laboratory
  • u.s. army
  • police robot
  • pregnancy
  • pregnant woman
  • escape pod
  • cartoon on tv
  • mri scan
  • walkie talkie
  • tracking device
  • rebel base
  • amputee
  • humanoid robot
  • ground zero
  • missile strike
  • nuclear bomb
  • prosthetic arm
  • bionic arm
  • sticky grenade
  • space shuttle
  • underground laboratory
  • artificial intelligence sci fi
  • life
  • fight
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Creator Cast & Characters

John David Washington leads the cast as Joshua, with Gemma Chan as Maya and Ralph Ineson as General Andrews. Directed by Gareth Edwards; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Creator

· 16 more
Ratings

The Creator Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Creator 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (35).

73 /100

The Creator Echo Score Breakdown

The Creator stands out for its visual craft but struggles with narrative depth. Critics frequently cited the film’s impressive imagery and inventive design alongside its precise production choices. User feedback similarly highlights seamless integration of effects and thoughtful typography while pointing to a thin and predictable plot structure. Although performances yield occasional emotional resonance, uneven pacing and conceptual gaps temper the overall experience. The result is a film whose technical achievements elevate it, yet an uneven narrative limits its full impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its visual composition and production design. Critics praised the direction and cinematography for generating immersive scenes rich with detail and coherent design choices. Users also noted the meticulous typography and seamless integration of practical and digital elements in every frame. Overall, the art and craft of the film present a polished and confident creative vision.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character and emotion, the film delivers moments of genuine resonance amid uneven development. Several critics highlighted a tender, anguished heart and scenes of palpable pathos that underscore key character arcs. User responses similarly praised the evolving bond between Joshua and Alphie, noting authentic acting choices that anchor the narrative. Despite these highs, some observers felt certain characters remain underdeveloped, yielding a moderately engaging emotional landscape.

  • Story & Flow 35

    When it comes to story and flow, the film presents an uneven narrative with sporadic engagement. Critics frequently criticized the anti-climactic structure and reliance on familiar genre tropes that undermine thematic ambition. Users similarly noted a lack of narrative depth, predictable plot turns, and minor inconsistencies that hinder coherence. A limited number of viewers appreciated the original sci-fi premise, but overall the story’s fluctuating momentum results in a mixed experience.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a compelling audiovisual presentation throughout. Critics commended the sweeping CGI sequences, richly textured environments, and immersive sound design that reinforce the film’s atmospheric depth. User commentary also highlighted jaw-dropping special effects, seamless VFX integration, and dynamic audio cues tied to new technologies. Collectively, these elements create a vivid and consistent sensory landscape that anchors the film’s speculative future.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film offers modest incentive for repeat viewing. A segment of users cited interest in the detailed production design and unfolding character arcs as reasons to revisit the film. However, many viewers noted that narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues diminish the appeal of subsequent viewings. As a result, the rewatch value remains moderate and may attract those drawn to its formal and visual elements.

Plot

The Creator Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Creator from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 2055, a catastrophic event occurs when an artificial intelligence (AI) radios a nuclear warhead that obliterates Los Angeles, California. This revelation leads the Western nations to engage in an all-out war against AI, in a desperate attempt to avert mankind’s extinction. However, they face resistance from inhabitants of New Asia—which includes Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of India—who have chosen to embrace AI technology rather than fight against it. To counter the growing threat, military forces develop the USS NOMAD (North American Orbital Mobile Aerospace Defense), a sophisticated space station designed for executing devastating orbital strikes.

Full summary

The whole story of The Creator, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Creator Box Office & Budget

The Creator grossed $104.3 million worldwide on a $80 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $40.8 million came from the US and Canada and $63.5 million (61%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$104.3M

1.3× its budget

US & Canada
$40.8M
International
$63.5M
Budget
$80M
US & Canada 39% Rest of the world 61%
Awards

The Creator Awards & Nominations

The Creator was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 7 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

7 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

The Creator Trailers & Videos

55 videos: 5 trailers, 27 teasers, 5 clips, 9 featurettes and 9 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 55 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Teaser Trailer [Audio Described]
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Audio Described]
  • Trailer Final Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Creator?

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 does the story of 'The Creator' take place?

Cars

Cars in The Creator

27 cars on screen, including the Dodge D/W-Series and the 1993 Isuzu Elf.

All 27 cars
  • Dodge D/W-Series in The Creator Dodge D/W-Series Important role
  • 1993 Isuzu Elf in The Creator 1993 Isuzu Elf Important role
  • unknown in The Creator unknown Important role
  • unknown in The Creator unknown Important role
Details

The Creator Also Known As

37 alternative titles, including “True Love” and “Kẻ Kiến Tạo”.

Also known as
  • True Love
  • Kẻ Kiến Tạo
  • Twórca
  • Resistência
  • Resistencia
  • Az Alkotó
  • Kūrėjas
  • A.I.創世者
  • خالق
  • เดอะ ครีเอเตอร์
  • A.I. 創世者
  • Yaradıcı
+25 more
  • Le Créateur
  • AI创世者
  • ザ・クリエイター/創造者
  • Создатель
  • Radītājs
  • O Criador
  • Творецот
  • Kreator
  • Yaratıcı
  • Създателят
  • Ο δημιουργός
  • Ha'Yotzer
  • 真爱
  • 造物主
  • Creatorul
  • Looja
  • Творець
  • 크리에이터
  • الخالق
  • היוצר
  • ザ・クリエイター/創世者
  • Stvořitel
  • Tvorca
  • Творац
  • Yaradan, შემოქმედი

Seen The Creator?

FAQ

The Creator FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is The Creator?

The Creator runs 2 hours 13 minutes (133 minutes).

When was The Creator released?

The Creator was released on September 29, 2023.

Who directed The Creator?

The Creator was directed by Gareth Edwards.

More films by Gareth Edwards

Who is in the cast of The Creator?

The Creator stars John David Washington as Joshua, Gemma Chan as Maya and Ralph Ineson as General Andrews, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Creator make at the box office?

The Creator grossed $104.3 million worldwide ($40.8 million domestic, $63.5 million international) on a budget of $80 million.

How is The Creator rated?

The Creator has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was The Creator nominated for any awards?

The Creator received 7 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does The Creator have a post-credit scene?

No. The Creator 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