The Empty Man (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Empty Man is a 2020 drama thriller directed by David Prior, starring Evan Jonigkeit as Greg, Aaron Poole and Jessica Matten. It is partly based on The Empty Man by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey. It runs 2 hours 17 minutes and earned $4.8 million worldwide on a $16 million budget. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Stream it on fuboTV and FXNow, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 17m (137 min)
- Director
- David Prior
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox
- Budget
- $16M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Empty Man About?
The premise of The Empty Man without spoilers, adapted from The Empty Man by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Strange disappearances plague a quiet Midwestern town, fueling whispers of a terrifying urban legend known as The Empty Man. A former police officer investigates the unsettling events, finding himself drawn into a dangerous conspiracy with the goal of summoning a dark and powerful entity. As he gets closer to the truth, he and those around him face escalating threats, and his own life hangs in the balance.
The Empty Man Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- suicide
- cult
- female frontal nudity
- 1990s
- lovecraftian horror
- cosmic horror
- sect
- neo noir
- one breast exposed
- female rear nudity
- private investigation
- bhutan
+38 more Show fewer
- himalayas
- year 1995
- investigation
- psychological horror
- haunted by the past
- grief
- widow
- cave
- evil spirit
- demonic possession
- female nudity
- lovecraftian
- occultism
- mountain
- teenager
- stabbed to death
- bridge
- tulpa
- missouri
- flashback to a sex scene
- supernatural horror
- supernatural thriller
- supernatural power
- urban legend
- birthday
- hospital
- police
- tragic past
- murder
- guilt
- hearing voices
- nightmare
- fire
- based on graphic novel
- boom studios
- creature
- cult film
- police officer
Where to Watch The Empty Man
Stream it on fuboTV and FXNow, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 4
The Empty Man Cast & Characters
Evan Jonigkeit leads the cast as Greg, with Aaron Poole as Paul and Jessica Matten as Fiona. Directed by David Prior; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Director David Prior
-
Evan Jonigkeit as Greg -
Aaron Poole as Paul - Jessica Matten as Fiona
- Virginia Kull as Ruthie
Also Starring in The Empty Man
· 15 more- James Badge Dale James Lasombra
- Tanya van Graan
- Marin Ireland Nora Quail
- Sasha Frolova Amanda Quail
- Samantha Logan Davara Walsh
- Joel Courtney Brandon Maibaum
- Owen Teague Duncan West
- Stephen Root Arthur Parsons
- Robert Aramayo Garrett
- Ron Canada Detective Villiers
- Connor Dowds Meyer Blatty
- Rasneet Kaur
- Robert Coutts The Entity
- Adam Ferguson
- Robert Lee Davis
The Empty Man Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Empty Man 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Empty Man Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Empty Man excels in evoking a haunting atmosphere while displaying some uneven pacing. Across numerous reviews, commentators praised the film’s daring visual style and immersive sound design yet noted moments where the narrative stalls and can feel disjointed. The film’s original approach to cosmic horror and its philosophical underpinnings resonate strongly with viewers who appreciate slow-building dread. Net net, it offers a memorable and challenging horror experience that rewards attentive audiences.
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’s visual presentation stands out for its striking compositions and confident directorial choices. Critics and viewers highlighted the moody cinematography, bold production design, and measured editing that sustain atmosphere. Even when narrative momentum lags, the consistent visual cohesion maintains engagement. Overall, its stylistic flair remains compelling.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, the performances anchor the film with credible portrayals and a nuanced lead presence. Reviews noted strong acting that conveys existential dread and interpersonal tension. Although some found limited character development in the investigative sections, the cast’s commitment sustains emotional investment. Overall, the acting effort solidifies the film’s emotional core.
- Story & Flow 60
In story and flow, the film delivers a novel concept and gradually unfolding mystery but suffers from uneven pacing and occasional narrative disconnection. Early segments impressed with brisk intrigue, yet critics and viewers remarked that the investigative middle acts drag and some plot turns feel underexplored. Nonetheless, the climactic twists provide a satisfying resolution. Net effect: engaging yet flawed.
- Sensory Experience 85
When considering the sensory experience, the film excels in its haunting sound design and unsettling score that amplify the visual dread. Reviewers cited the haunting soundtrack, effective use of silence, and cohesive soundscapes that intensify key horror moments. The visual style and audio interplay maintain immersion even during slower stretches. Overall, the sensory impact remains a standout feature.
- Rewatch Factor 80
With regard to rewatch value, the film offers enough thematic depth and layered imagery to reward repeated viewings. Several viewers reported revisiting the mystery to unpack philosophical subtext and narrative hints. While the deliberate pacing may deter casual replays, the film’s lingering atmosphere and reveals encourage attentive audiences to return. Overall, it sustains lasting appeal.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 76% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
213 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Empty Man Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Empty Man 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
In the Ura Valley of Bhutan in 1995, four inseparable friends—Greg (Evan Jonigkeit), Paul (Aaron Poole), Fiona (Jessica Matten), and Ruthie (Virginia Kull)—embark on a hiking trip to discover a elusive location they’ve been searching for. As the journey unfolds, a message ominously flashes on screen reading “DAY ONE.” After Paul plays a haunting tune on what resembles a flute, he becomes entranced, hearing a strange call that lures him into a treacherous crevice. Greg hastily descends to rescue him, only to find Paul fixated on a bizarre skeleton that appears to twitch, sending chills down his spine. Managing to extract Paul just in time, the group stumbles upon an abandoned house where they decide to seek refuge.
Full summary
The whole story of The Empty Man, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Empty Man Box Office & Budget
The Empty Man grossed $4.8 million worldwide on a $16 million budget, 30% of what it cost. $3 million came from the US and Canada and $1.8 million (38%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$4.8M
30% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $3M
- International
- $1.8M
- Budget
- $16M
The Empty Man Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Empty Man.
How Well Do You Know The Empty Man?
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 year do the events in the Ura Valley take place?
The Empty Man Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Пустий” and “Empty Man: El mensajero del último día”.
- Also known as
-
- Пустий
- Empty Man: El mensajero del último día
- The Empty Man: El Mensajero del último día
- L'uomo Vuoto
- Пустой человек
- Порожнеча
- Кухият човек
- Prázdnota
- 躯壳
- 엠티맨
- O Mensageiro do Último Dia
- เป่าเรียกผี
+14 more Show fewer
- Az üres ember
- Boş Adam
- Tuščiaviduris žmogus
- 空人
- Prazni čovjek
- Pusty Człowiek
- Tukšais vīrs
- האיש הריק
- Kẻ Rỗng Hồn
- Mesagerul zilei de pe urmă
- الرجل الفارغ
- エンプティ・マン, ცარიელი ადამიანი
- O Homem Vazio
- Празан човек
Seen The Empty Man?
Movies Like The Empty Man
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hollow Man, The Unnamable and The Tall Man.
The Empty Man FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of The Empty Man, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Empty Man?
The Empty Man runs 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).
When was The Empty Man released?
The Empty Man was released on October 23, 2020.
Who directed The Empty Man?
The Empty Man was directed by David Prior.
More films by David Prior Who is in the cast of The Empty Man?
The Empty Man stars Evan Jonigkeit as Greg, Aaron Poole as Paul and Jessica Matten as Fiona, among 19 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Empty Man?
In the US, The Empty Man is streaming on fuboTV, FXNow and Hulu and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Empty Man make at the box office?
The Empty Man grossed $4.8 million worldwide ($3 million domestic, $1.8 million international) on a budget of $16 million.
How is The Empty Man rated?
The Empty Man has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.
Is The Empty Man based on a book?
Yes. The Empty Man is partly adapted from The Empty Man by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey.
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