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Action drama

The Flash (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Flash (2023) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$271.4M
award nominations
3
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The Flash (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 24m (144 min)
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$220M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

More from Andres Muschietti

More films directed by Andres Muschietti, best-rated first: It, Mama and It: Chapter Two.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

55 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$271.4M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$108.1M
International
$163.3M
Budget
$220M
US & Canada 40% Rest of the world 60%
Awards

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

Videos

The Flash Trailers & Videos

14 videos: 3 trailers, 4 clips, 3 featurettes and 4 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 14 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Clip Extended Preview
  • Clip Spaghetti Theory
Quiz

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

  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

What is the name of Barry Allen's alter ego?

Details

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
  • ది ఫ్లాష్
  • தி பிளாஷ்
  • Светкавицата
  • فلش
  • Blyksnis
  • Ֆլեշ
  • Välk
  • ذا فلاش, ფლეში

Seen The Flash?

FAQ

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.

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