The Flash (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Flash is a 2023 action drama directed by Andres Muschietti, starring Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, The Flash, Michael Shannon and Michael Keaton. It is partly based on Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. It runs 2 hours 24 minutes and earned $271.4 million worldwide on a $220 million budget. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Superhero Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 24m (144 min)
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget
- $220M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is The Flash About?
The premise of The Flash without spoilers, adapted from Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
While attempting to alter the past, Barry Allen’s actions create a devastating chain reaction, leading to a dark and dangerous reality. Faced with the return of General Zod and the absence of other heroes, Barry must team up with a different Batman to rescue a surprising Kryptonian ally. To restore his timeline, he must race against time and make a profound sacrifice.
The Flash Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- barry allen character
- the flash character
- dc extended universe
- multiverse
- struck by lightning
- time travel
- superhuman speed
- batman character
- super speed
- bruce wayne character
- supergirl character
- general zod character
+38 more Show fewer
- lighting
- alternate future
- alternate history
- alternate reality
- superhero
- origin of hero
- mexican woman
- mexican american
- iris west character
- alien spacecraft
- alien
- good versus evil
- based on comic
- secret identity
- based on comic book
- character name in title
- cyborg character
- mexican
- spanish actress playing mexican character
- 2020s
- shared universe
- sequel
- costumed hero
- superhuman
- surrealism
- villain
- speed
- fight
- laser
- masked hero
- superhero fantasy
- superhero action
- superhero sci fi
- alternate timeline
- alternate world
- amazon river
- aquaman character
- robbery
The Flash Cast & Characters
Ezra Miller leads the cast as Barry Allen, The Flash, with Michael Shannon as General Zod and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, Batman. Directed by Andres Muschietti; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director Andres Muschietti
-
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, The Flash -
Michael Shannon as General Zod -
Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, Batman -
Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen
Also Starring in The Flash
· 14 more- Ron Livingston Henry Allen
- Temuera Morrison Thomas Curry
- Sasha Calle Kara Zor-El, Supergirl
- Ben Affleck
- Kiersey Clemons Iris West
- Antje Traue Faora-Ul
- Billy Crudup
- Gal Gadot
- Rudy Mancuso Albert
- Ray Fisher
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson Patty
- Bastian Antonio Fuentes
- Nina Barker-Francis
- Paul Fairlie
More from Andres Muschietti
More films directed by Andres Muschietti, best-rated first: It, Mama and It: Chapter Two.
The Flash Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Flash 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (45).
The Flash Echo Score Breakdown
The Flash delivers a visually energetic experience but falters in narrative cohesion and overall design discipline. Critics highlight uneven direction and a cluttered multiverse premise, while praising Michael Keaton’s Batman as a standout element. Audience reactions mirror this split, with some viewers drawn to the spectacle and repeated viewings, and others deterred by shaky pacing and inconsistent character work. Consequently, the film sits in a mixed middle ground, offering limited lasting impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
Direction and visual composition in The Flash oscillate between vibrant spectacle and unfocused excess. While the climactic battle showcases ambitious set pieces, the overall production design is criticized for lacking imagination and appearing flimsy. Editing choices contribute to a busy rhythm that undermines clarity, though moments of sharp cinematographic framing provide brief relief.
- Character & Emotion 60
Acting performances present a varied picture, with Michael Keaton’s Batman repeatedly cited as a highlight for its nuanced charisma. Ezra Miller’s portrayal draws both praise for energetic moments and criticism for perceived inconsistency. Supporting characters receive limited development, leading reviewers to describe the ensemble as shallow, though occasional emotional beats momentarily elevate the character work.
- Story & Flow 45
The narrative leans heavily on multiverse hopping, resulting in a congested plot that many find difficult to follow. Pacing alternates between frantic action and sluggish exposition, and the time‑travel premise feels predictable to seasoned viewers. While occasional humor and surprise reveals provide spikes of engagement, the overall story coherence remains uneven.
- Sensory Experience 60
Visually, the film leans into a bright, kinetic aesthetic, with VFX sequences that are generally strong despite occasional wobbling effects. Sound design receives commendation for its immersive layering, and the score underscores action beats effectively. Nonetheless, the overall sensory experience is marred by moments of visual clutter that dilute impact.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Audience enthusiasm for repeat viewings varies; some fans cite the film’s high‑octane action and humorous interludes as reasons to return, while others feel the convoluted plot diminishes long‑term appeal. The presence of nostalgic elements, such as Keaton’s Batman, bolsters rewatch interest for a segment of viewers, producing a moderate overall replay value.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 63% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.4 /5
676593 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Flash Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Flash 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 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
After aiding Bruce Wayne as Batman and Diana Prince as Wonder Woman in foiling a robbery in Gotham City, Barry Allen returns to his childhood home. There, he reminisces about his parents, Nora Allen and Henry Allen, before Henry’s unjust conviction for the murder of Nora. On the fateful day of her death, Nora had sent Henry out for a forgotten can of tomatoes, leaving her defenseless in the kitchen, which ultimately led to her murder by an unknown assailant.
Full summary
The whole story of The Flash, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Flash Box Office & Budget
The Flash grossed $271.4 million worldwide on a $220 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $108.1 million came from the US and Canada and $163.3 million (60%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$271.4M
1.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $108.1M
- International
- $163.3M
- Budget
- $220M
The Flash Awards & Nominations
The Flash earned 3 award nominations, including Best Superhero Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. The 3 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Saturn Awards 2024.
3 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2024 2 nominations- Nominated Best Superhero Film
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor in a Film – Michael Keaton
-
Artios Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated The Zeitgeist Award
The Flash Trailers & Videos
14 videos: 3 trailers, 4 clips, 3 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Trailer Final Trailer
- Clip Extended Preview
- Clip Spaghetti Theory
How Well Do You Know The Flash?
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 Barry Allen's alter ego?
The Flash Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “פלאש” and “闪电侠1 (埃兹拉·米勒)”.
- Also known as
-
- פלאש
- 闪电侠1 (埃兹拉·米勒)
- הפלאש
- 闪电侠
- Флеш
- 플래시
- Флэш
- Flash – A Villám
- เดอะ แฟลช
- 閃電俠
- ザ・フラッシュ
- द फ़्लैश
+8 more Show fewer
- ది ఫ్లాష్
- தி பிளாஷ்
- Светкавицата
- فلش
- Blyksnis
- Ֆլեշ
- Välk
- ذا فلاش, ფლეში
Seen The Flash?
Movies Like The Flash
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Flashman, Flash Gordon and Freedom Fighters: The Ray.
The Flash FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Flash, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Flash?
The Flash runs 2 hours 24 minutes (144 minutes).
When was The Flash released?
The Flash was released on June 16, 2023.
Who directed The Flash?
The Flash was directed by Andres Muschietti.
More films by Andres Muschietti Who is in the cast of The Flash?
The Flash stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, The Flash, Michael Shannon as General Zod and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, Batman, among 18 credited actors.
How much did The Flash make at the box office?
The Flash grossed $271.4 million worldwide ($108.1 million domestic, $163.3 million international) on a budget of $220 million.
How is The Flash rated?
The Flash has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Is The Flash based on a book?
Yes. The Flash is partly adapted from Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert.
Was The Flash nominated for any awards?
The Flash received 3 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
