The Dreadful (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Dreadful is a 2026 horror thriller directed by Natasha Kermani, starring Sophie Turner as Anne, Marcia Gay Harden and Laurence O'Fuarain. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $12,017 worldwide. Critics gave it 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 33 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Natasha Kermani
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Redwire Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Dreadful About?
The premise of The Dreadful without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Set in medieval England, Anne (Sophie Turner) and her domineering mother‑in‑law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden) eke out a precarious existence on society’s fringes. When a former lover returns from war, an ancient curse awakens, embodied by a mysterious knight, and threatens to destroy both women and their world.
The Dreadful Cast & Characters
Sophie Turner leads the cast as Anne, with Marcia Gay Harden as Morwen and Laurence O'Fuarain as Seamus. Directed by Natasha Kermani; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Natasha Kermani
-
Sophie Turner as Anne -
Marcia Gay Harden as Morwen - Laurence O'Fuarain as Seamus
-
Kit Harington as Jago
Also Starring in The Dreadful
· 8 more- Jonathan Howard Brother Penros
- Tigerlily Langford Young Anne
- Catherine McDonough Kayna
- Huxley Sheppard Seamus
- Zachary Cohen Young Jago
- Jürgen Koenen Merchant
- Isidro-Lucking Dylan Young shipwreck sailor
- Nik Harber Older shipwreck sailor
More from Natasha Kermani
More films directed by Natasha Kermani, best-rated first: V/H/S/85, Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story, Lucky and Imitation Girl.
The Dreadful Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Dreadful 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 33 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).
The Dreadful Echo Score Breakdown
The Dreadful delivers a mixed impression, with isolated strengths in performance and visual design offset by uneven storytelling and pacing. Critics acknowledge Marcia Gay Harden's standout work but criticize the film's sluggish narrative and inconsistent tone. User feedback mirrors this split, praising the cast and atmospheric visuals while noting a lackluster ending and pacing issues. As a result, the film lands in the lower-mid range of overall quality.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film presents a striking medieval aesthetic that some reviewers find refreshing. However, several critics point to uneven execution, particularly in the film's climax, and users note occasional weak graphics and inconsistent visual cohesion. The combined observations suggest competent but not exceptional art and craft.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating acting and character depth, the movie benefits from strong individual performances, especially from Marcia Gay Harden, Sophie Turner, and Kit Harington. Many users highlight compelling chemistry and nuanced portrayals. Nevertheless, a few critics describe uneven character development and staginess. The overall sentiment tilts toward solid, if imperfect, character work.
- Story & Flow 45
The narrative structure receives the most criticism, with reviewers describing the plot as uneven, pacing as sluggish, and the ending as unsatisfying. Both critics and viewers cite excessive dialogue and a lack of cohesive momentum, which diminishes engagement. While the premise holds promise, execution issues lower the story rating.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensory elements such as the film's visual style and atmospheric tone gather a moderate appraisal. The medieval setting and occasional striking visuals are praised, yet some users point out problematic graphics and inconsistent visual flair. Sound design receives little direct commentary, resulting in an overall balanced but not outstanding sensory experience.
- Rewatch Factor 40
Rewatch potential appears limited due to the film's pacing problems and unsatisfying resolution. Critics and viewers alike question its lasting appeal, noting that while strong performances may warrant a second look, the overall narrative fatigue reduces the desire for repeat viewings.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 35% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 39%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 33 Metascore
User score 2.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.1 /5
5350 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Dreadful Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Dreadful from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Anne, Sophie Turner, and her mother-in-law Morwen, a world-weary and unpolished survivalist, scrape by in a late-medieval village while awaiting Seamus, Laurence O’Fuarain’s return from the Wars of the Roses. Anne is introspective, gentle, and devout, a quiet contrast to Morwen’s rough pragmatism, yet their bond remains steadfast and affectionate even as hardship tightens its grip around them.
Jago, Kit Harington, Seamus’s childhood friend, comes back from war claiming that they deserted—though he insists Seamus was slain by thieves. Morwen remains wary, but Jago’s tale gradually confirms Anne’s dream of Seamus’s death. In the woods, Anne begins to glimpse an armored knight, a figure that gnaws at the edges of her waking life and conscience.
Full summary
The whole story of The Dreadful, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Dreadful Box Office
The Dreadful grossed $12,017 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$12K
- International
- $12K
The Dreadful Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Dreadful.
How Well Do You Know The Dreadful?
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
What is the name of Anne's mother-in-law?
The Dreadful Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “더 드레드풀” and “Проклятый рыцарь”.
- Also known as
-
- 더 드레드풀
- Проклятый рыцарь
- Жах
Seen The Dreadful?
The Dreadful FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Dreadful, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Dreadful?
The Dreadful runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was The Dreadful released?
The Dreadful was released on February 20, 2026.
Who directed The Dreadful?
The Dreadful was directed by Natasha Kermani.
More films by Natasha Kermani Who is in the cast of The Dreadful?
The Dreadful stars Sophie Turner as Anne, Marcia Gay Harden as Morwen and Laurence O'Fuarain as Seamus, among 12 credited actors.
How much did The Dreadful make at the box office?
The Dreadful grossed $12,017 worldwide.
How is The Dreadful rated?
The Dreadful has 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 33 on Metacritic, 59% on TMDB and 2.1/5 on Letterboxd.
Does The Dreadful have a post-credit scene?
No. The Dreadful has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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