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The Eight Mountains (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Eight Mountains (2023) movie poster

The Eight Mountains is a 2023 drama directed by Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen, starring Luca Marinelli as Pietro Guasti, Andrea Palma and Alessandro Borghi. It is based on The Eight Mountains by Paolo Cognetti and Simon Carnell. It runs 2 hours 27 minutes and earned $11.4 million worldwide on a $7.7 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2024. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$11.4M
award nomination
1
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The Eight Mountains (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 27m (147 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Italian
Budget
$7.7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Eight Mountains About?

The premise of The Eight Mountains without spoilers, adapted from The Eight Mountains by Paolo Cognetti and Simon Carnell. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Pietro, a city boy, and Bruno, who lives in the mountains, develop a deep and enduring friendship as they experience the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. Their connection is tested by love, loss, and the pursuit of self-discovery, set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian Alps. Through shared experiences and personal growth, they eventually understand that their paths, though different, lead them back to the importance of family and belonging.

The Eight Mountains Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship between men
  • friendship
  • building a house
  • male bonding
  • snow
  • bromance
  • best friends
  • platonic male friendship
  • mountain
  • friendship between boys
  • gay subtext
  • cow
+38 more
  • based on novel
  • campfire
  • nepal
  • bonding
  • brotherly love
  • male male relationship
  • male male friendship
  • lake
  • climbing
  • male best friend
  • existencialism
  • implied sex
  • father son relationship
  • alps
  • boy boy friendship
  • homoerotic friendship
  • voice over narration
  • village
  • himalaya
  • roof
  • love
  • ice
  • skier
  • house
  • friend
  • existential hero
  • cold
  • journey
  • year 1984
  • voice over
  • glacier
  • crevasse
  • cigarette smoking
  • bar
  • house building
  • himalayas
  • hammer and nails
  • helicopter
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Cast & crew

The Eight Mountains Cast & Characters

Luca Marinelli leads the cast as Pietro Guasti, with Andrea Palma as Pietro da adolescente and Alessandro Borghi as Bruno Guglielmina. Directed by Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Eight Mountains

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen

More films directed by Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen, best-rated first: The Broken Circle Breakdown, Beautiful Boy, The Misfortunates and Steve + Sky.

Ratings

The Eight Mountains Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Eight Mountains 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (55).

71 /100

The Eight Mountains Echo Score Breakdown

The Eight Mountains excels in visual ambition, presenting spectacular alpine scenery and meticulous production design that elevate the viewing experience. However, its narrative stretches across decades with uneven pacing, leading to occasional meandering and a sense of overextension. Performances range from deeply resonant to occasionally unconvincing, reflecting a mixed emotional core. While the sensory elements, including sound and cinematography, remain compelling, the film's structural flaws limit its overall cohesion, resulting in a solid but not outstanding overall rating.

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 visual craftsmanship, the film delivers striking alpine vistas and carefully composed shots that many reviewers cite as a primary attraction. The cinematography consistently captures the vastness of the landscape, while production design reinforces the rustic atmosphere. Editing is largely unremarked, implying it supports rather than distracts from the imagery. Overall, the artistic execution stands out as a major strength of the film.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When assessing performances, the leads are praised for delivering nuanced, emotionally resonant portrayals that anchor the story. Some critics note a palpable chemistry that conveys deep friendship, yet a portion of feedback highlights moments of stiffness and unclear relational dynamics. The character depth is acknowledged in scenes of quiet interaction, but inconsistencies in acting reduce the overall impact. Consequently, the character work is solid but uneven.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative spans several decades, aiming for an epic scope that intertwines personal growth with broader social themes. While the ambition is recognized, many reviewers point to a sluggish pace, abrupt temporal jumps, and occasional narrative clutter that impede coherence. The plot’s simplicity is occasionally praised, yet the execution often feels meandering, leading to mixed reactions about its overall effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory elements, particularly the soundtrack and visual style, receive consistent commendation. The score is described as atmospheric, enhancing moments of emotional tension, while the visual palette maintains a cohesive, immersive quality. The film’s sound design supports the expansive setting without overwhelming the narrative. Minor critiques mention occasional musical intrusions, but the overall sensory experience remains a strong component.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding replay value, some viewers find the film rewarding on subsequent viewings due to its visual richness and thematic depth, suggesting a lasting appeal for those who appreciate contemplative cinema. Others, however, cite the slow pacing and narrative density as deterrents to repeated enjoyment. This split perception results in a moderate rewatch factor.

Plot

The Eight Mountains Plot Summary

What happens in The Eight Mountains from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the summer of 1984, an adventurous 11-year-old named Pietro, played by Luca Marinelli, embarks on a transformative journey accompanied by his mother, Francesca (portrayed by Elena Lietti). They settle into a quaint house nestled in the picturesque village of Grana, located in the stunning Italian Alps. Here, they encounter Bruno (acted by Alessandro Borghi), the last child left in the village. Estranged from his parents, Bruno finds himself living with his uncles and aunt, creating a unique bond with Pietro as they enjoy carefree summer days together.

Full summary

The whole story of The Eight Mountains, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Eight Mountains Box Office & Budget

The Eight Mountains grossed $11.4 million worldwide on a $7.7 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $302,456 came from the US and Canada and $11.1 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.4M

1.5× its budget

US & Canada
$302.5K
International
$11.1M
Budget
$7.7M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Awards

The Eight Mountains Awards & Nominations

The Eight Mountains earned 1 award nomination, including Best European Film at the Gaudí Awards 2024.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Eight Mountains?

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 Eight Mountains' begin?

Details

The Eight Mountains Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Nyolc hegy” and “Astoņi kalni”.

Also known as
  • Nyolc hegy
  • Astoņi kalni
  • Les huit montagnes
  • De åtte fjellene
  • De 8 bjerge
  • De acht bergen
  • As Oito Montanhas
  • Las ocho montañas
  • Осемте планини
  • Osam planina
  • Kaheksa mäge
  • Kahdeksan vuorta
+22 more
  • Acht Berge
  • Τα οχτώ βουνά
  • 情越八重山
  • 帰れない山
  • Osiem gór
  • Cei opt munți
  • Восемь гор
  • Osem gora
  • 디 에이트 마운틴스
  • De åtta bergen
  • Sekiz Dağ
  • Osm Hor
  • שמונת הרים
  • 回不去的那座山
  • 여덟 개의 산
  • 八座山
  • שמונה הרים
  • Aštuoni kalnai
  • Les vuit muntanyes
  • Osem gorà
  • Tám Ngọn Núi
  • แปดขุนเขา

Seen The Eight Mountains?

FAQ

The Eight Mountains FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Eight Mountains, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Eight Mountains?

The Eight Mountains runs 2 hours 27 minutes (147 minutes).

When was The Eight Mountains released?

The Eight Mountains was released on April 28, 2023.

Who directed The Eight Mountains?

The Eight Mountains was directed by Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix Van Groeningen.

More films by Charlotte Vandermeersch

Who is in the cast of The Eight Mountains?

The Eight Mountains stars Luca Marinelli as Pietro Guasti, Andrea Palma as Pietro da adolescente and Alessandro Borghi as Bruno Guglielmina, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Eight Mountains make at the box office?

The Eight Mountains grossed $11.4 million worldwide ($302,456 domestic, $11.1 million international) on a budget of $7.7 million.

How is The Eight Mountains rated?

The Eight Mountains has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 4.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Is The Eight Mountains based on a book?

Yes. The Eight Mountains is adapted from The Eight Mountains by Paolo Cognetti, Simon Carnell and Erica Segre.

Was The Eight Mountains nominated for any awards?

The Eight Mountains received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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