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What's After the Movie?
Adventure drama

The Empire (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Empire (2025) movie poster

The Empire is a 2025 adventure drama directed by Bruno Dumont, starring Fabrice Luchini as Belzébuth, Camille Cottin and Lyna Khoudri. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $29,684 worldwide on a $8 million budget. Critics gave it 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
58%
worldwide gross
$29.7K
Echo Score
60
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The Empire (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Bruno Dumont
Genres
Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi
Original language
French
Budget
$8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Empire About?

The premise of The Empire without spoilers.

A special baby's birth in a peaceful fishing village in Northern France triggers a hidden conflict between extraterrestrial forces. Two opposing forces from deep space, known as One and Zero, are drawn into a struggle to restore their empires, threatening the village and the child at the center of the unfolding events.

The Empire Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • parody
  • parody comedy
  • dramedy drama
  • village
  • apocalypse
  • space
  • galaxy
  • space sci fi
  • space adventure
  • reference to star wars
  • nudity
  • written by director
+12 more
  • fisherman
  • gendarme
  • female rear nudity
  • motor boat
  • beach
  • rear nudity
  • boat
  • female nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • skinny dipping
  • outdoor nudity
  • woman swims nude
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Cast & crew

The Empire Cast & Characters

Fabrice Luchini leads the cast as Belzébuth, with Camille Cottin as La Reine and Lyna Khoudri as Line. Directed by Bruno Dumont; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Empire

· 16 more
From the director

More from Bruno Dumont

More films directed by Bruno Dumont, best-rated first: Li'l Quinquin, Humanité, Hadewijch and Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Empire Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Empire 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

60 /100

The Empire Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Empire shows remarkable visual ambition yet is hindered by uneven pacing and diluted comedic impact. Critics and users alike praise its effects-driven action and dreamlike cinematography but frequently note narrative meandering and simplistic satirical binaries. While unconventional reimagining of mythological themes yields sporadic intrigue, inconsistent tone and underdeveloped emotional stakes prevent cohesive engagement. In sum, the film’s technical mastery contrasts with a fragmented structure, making it memorable for its style more than its substance.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its production design and cinematography. Critics praise its spectacular effects-driven sequences and dreamlike framing of natural settings. User reactions cite impressive set pieces and a rich architectural palette drawn from Gothic and Renaissance influences. Overall, the film’s visual construction and technical execution consistently stand out as its strongest elements.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film presents a mixed impression. Some observers note a humane satiric undercurrent and occasional depth in its portrayal of opposing factions. However, many mention thinly sketched figures and underdeveloped interpersonal dynamics that limit emotional engagement. Overall, character work remains serviceable but rarely achieves significant resonance or lasting empathy.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, the film adopts an unconventional satirical premise but often falters in coherence and pacing. Critics and users frequently point to meandering narrative threads, simplistic binary conflicts, and inconsistent comedic tone that undercut engagement. While its mythological reimagining and occasional surprises offer moments of intrigue, the overall structure lacks the clarity and momentum needed to fully captivate. In sum, the narrative remains uneven and occasionally perplexing.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a compelling audiovisual tapestry. Reviewers highlight a reworked neo-classical score, immersive sound design, and visually arresting style that blend conventional and surreal imagery. Users also cite impressive special effects and an eclectic musical backdrop based on Bach and Purcell arrangements. Overall, the movie creates a rich and often striking sensory atmosphere despite intermittent tonal shifts.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s novelty and visual flair offer initial intrigue but diminish on subsequent viewings. The shock value of its eccentric imagery and satirical gestures tends to wear thin once its structural shortcomings become more apparent. Limited character depth and repetitive pacing reduce incentives to revisit. Overall, the movie struggles to sustain lasting appeal beyond a first, curiosity-driven experience.

Box office

The Empire Box Office & Budget

The Empire grossed $29,684 worldwide on a $8 million budget. $20,221 came from the US and Canada and $9,463 (32%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$29.7K

US & Canada
$20.2K
International
$9.5K
Budget
$8M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Details

The Empire Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “엠파이어” and “L'impero”.

Also known as
  • 엠파이어
  • L'impero
  • 腥際大帝國
  • 帝国
  • האימפריה
  • Imperium
  • Империя
  • İmparatorluk
  • Das Imperium

Seen The Empire?

FAQ

The Empire FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Empire?

The Empire runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was The Empire released?

The Empire was released on March 7, 2025.

Who directed The Empire?

The Empire was directed by Bruno Dumont.

More films by Bruno Dumont

Who is in the cast of The Empire?

The Empire stars Fabrice Luchini as Belzébuth, Camille Cottin as La Reine and Lyna Khoudri as Line, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Empire make at the box office?

The Empire grossed $29,684 worldwide ($20,221 domestic, $9,463 international) on a budget of $8 million.

How is The Empire rated?

The Empire has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does The Empire have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is The Empire in?

The original language of The Empire is French.

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