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Romantic drama

The Exception (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Exception (2017) movie poster

The Exception is a 2017 romantic drama directed by David Leveaux, starring Christopher Plummer, Anton Lesser and Lily James. It is based on The Kaiser's Last Kiss by Alan Judd. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $872,805 worldwide on a $29.6 million budget. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$872.8K
Echo Score
67
The Exception (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
David Leveaux
Genres
Drama , Romance , War
Original language
Danish
Studio
A24
Budget
$29.6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Exception About?

The premise of The Exception without spoilers, adapted from The Kaiser's Last Kiss by Alan Judd. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During World War I, a German intelligence officer, Stefan Brandt, is sent to investigate Kaiser Wilhelm II's estate in the Netherlands. His mission is compromised when he falls for Mieke, a young Jewish maid working there. As the presence of Heinrich Himmler and other high-ranking Nazis intensifies, Brandt finds himself torn between his duty and his growing feelings, facing a dangerous conflict of loyalty and forbidden love amidst the escalating war.

The Exception Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • psychological thriller
  • evil
  • genocide
  • death threat
  • war criminal
  • copenhagen denmark
  • female nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • psychology
  • workplace bullying
  • research center
  • threatening e mail
+38 more
  • librarian
  • secretary
  • sex scene
  • arthritis
  • hallucination
  • kenya
  • child soldier
  • flashback
  • office
  • voice over narration
  • serbian gangster
  • co worker co worker conflict
  • fall from window
  • reference to indonesian genocide
  • reference to the holocaust
  • one word title
  • female protagonist
  • eastern europe
  • party
  • cigarette smoking
  • taxi ride
  • telephone call
  • gout
  • female friendship
  • breakup
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • cgi
  • defenestration
  • death
  • suspicion
  • burglary
  • false fire alarm
  • stealing a diary
  • confession
  • voice over
  • funeral
  • husband wife relationship
  • murder
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Exception

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Exception Cast

Christopher Plummer leads the cast, with Anton Lesser and Lily James. Directed by David Leveaux; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Exception Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Exception 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

67 /100

The Exception Echo Score Breakdown

The Exception delivers a competently crafted period drama that is elevated by strong performances but constrained by a predictable and uneven narrative. The production features polished cinematography and measured pacing that enhance the wartime setting, while the direction maintains a consistent visual style. However, recurring reliance on familiar melodramatic tropes and occasional lapses in plot coherence limit overall engagement. Overall, the film achieves moderate success in style and acting but is held back by its narrative weaknesses.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates a confident visual approach supported by polished cinematography and authentic production design. Costume work and set decoration contribute an immersive period atmosphere, while measured editing sustains narrative clarity. Direction maintains consistent framing, though reliance on familiar stylistic tropes occasionally undercuts visual innovation. Overall, it delivers a solid and refined technical presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Strong performances and effective emotional depth define the character work in The Exception. Christopher Plummer’s nuanced portrayal anchors the cast, and the leads demonstrate readable chemistry in key romantic scenes. However, intermittent stiffness in dialogue delivery and hurried relationship development occasionally disrupt emotional engagement. Overall, character portrayals remain the film’s primary strength despite sporadic affective unevenness.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The film’s narrative exhibits a mix of coherent wartime context and predictable melodrama. Plot progression often relies on familiar tropes and abrupt resolutions that strain believability. Occasional tension and dramatic stakes emerge in espionage sequences, but trite dialogue and lukewarm pacing limit sustained engagement. Overall, narrative weaknesses temper the film’s potential despite moments of genuine intrigue.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    The Exception offers a cohesive sensory experience through its sound design and visual styling. A restrained musical score complements wartime drama, while precise sound mixing underscores key moments of tension. Visually, textured production elements and slick cinematography reinforce period authenticity. Overall, these auditory and visual components coalesce to create an engaging atmospheric presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch potential is limited by the film’s reliance on conventional narrative beats and uneven pacing. While standout performances, particularly by the lead ensemble, offer moments of appeal on repeat viewings, insufficient plot originality and sporadic emotional disconnect reduce lasting engagement. Overall, only selective scenes may prompt subsequent revisits rather than the film as a whole.

Plot

The Exception Plot Summary

What happens in The Exception from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

During the tumultuous period of World War II, Wehrmacht Captain Brandt finds himself overseeing the protection detail of the ousted German Emperor Wilhelm II at Huis Doorn, located near Utrecht in the Netherlands. The German authorities fear that an Allied spy is plotting to assassinate the ex-Kaiser, who, despite lacking any real power, still holds significant symbolic value to the German populace.

Full summary

The whole story of The Exception, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Exception Box Office & Budget

The Exception grossed $872,805 worldwide on a $29.6 million budget. $708,973 came from the US and Canada and $163,832 (19%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$872.8K

US & Canada
$709K
International
$163.8K
Budget
$29.6M
US & Canada 81% Rest of the world 19%
Videos

The Exception Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Exception.

The Exception | Official Trailer HD | A24
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Exception?

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

Who is tasked with safeguarding the former German Emperor Wilhelm II?

Cars

Cars in The Exception

9 cars on screen, including the Adler Trumpf Junior and the 1948 Citroën 11 BL.

All 9 cars
  • Adler Trumpf Junior in The Exception Adler Trumpf Junior Important role
  • 1948 Citroën 11 BL in The Exception 1948 Citroën 11 BL Important role
  • 1937 Opel Blitz 1,0t in The Exception 1937 Opel Blitz 1,0t Important role
  • Peugeot D4A in The Exception Peugeot D4A Important role
Details

The Exception Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “The Kaiser's Last Kiss” and “Die Ausnahme”.

Also known as
  • The Kaiser's Last Kiss
  • Die Ausnahme
  • Η Εξαίρεση
  • 디 익셉션
  • 偽りの忠誠 ナチスが愛した女:2017
  • Το Τελευταίο Φιλί του Κάιζερ
  • Исключение
  • El último beso del káiser
  • A Exceção
  • 例外
  • A kivétel
  • İstisna
+13 more
  • Kejserens sidste kys
  • Ostatni pocałunek cesarza
  • Excepția
  • הנשיקה האחרונה של הקיסר
  • Trahisons
  • 偽りの忠誠 ナチスが愛した女
  • L'amore oltre la guerra
  • 스파이 전쟁
  • Изключението
  • Iznimka
  • เล่ห์รักพยัคฆ์ร้าย
  • Останній поцілунок кайзера
  • Gián Điệp

Seen The Exception?

FAQ

The Exception 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 Exception, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Exception?

The Exception runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Exception released?

The Exception was released on June 2, 2017.

Who directed The Exception?

The Exception was directed by David Leveaux.

More films by David Leveaux

Who is in the cast of The Exception?

The Exception stars Christopher Plummer, Anton Lesser and Lily James, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Exception?

In the US, The Exception is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Exception make at the box office?

The Exception grossed $872,805 worldwide ($708,973 domestic, $163,832 international) on a budget of $29.6 million.

How is The Exception rated?

The Exception has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Is The Exception based on a book?

Yes. The Exception is adapted from The Kaiser's Last Kiss by Alan Judd.

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