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The Forgiven (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Forgiven (2022) movie poster

The Forgiven is a 2022 drama directed by John Michael McDonagh, starring Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Saïd Taghmaoui. It is based on The Forgiven by Lawrence Osborne. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$1.4M
Echo Score
53
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The Forgiven (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Forgiven About?

The premise of The Forgiven without spoilers, adapted from The Forgiven by Lawrence Osborne. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a weekend escape to the Moroccan desert, affluent Londoners David and Jo Henninger find their lives irrevocably altered by a tragic accident. When they are involved in the death of a young man, the couple is forced to confront the repercussions of their actions. A chain of events unfolds, exposing guilt, deceit, and the complexities of cultural differences as they navigate a landscape of retribution and face the devastating consequences of their choices.

The Forgiven Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • based on novel
  • hit by a car
  • sahara desert
  • blackmail
  • morocco
  • burying a dead body
  • funeral
  • man shot to death
  • shot to death
  • cultural difference
  • braless
  • nipples visible through clothing
+38 more
  • cheating wife
  • boy hit by a car
  • dead body
  • wife cheats on husband
  • male nudity
  • woman swims
  • scene during opening credits
  • subtitled scene
  • husband wife relationship
  • swimming pool
  • jumping into a swimming pool with clothes on
  • underwater scene
  • englishman in morocco
  • englishwoman in morocco
  • burial
  • cunnilingus
  • swimming
  • paying one's respects to the dead
  • map reading
  • pistol
  • campfire
  • dancing
  • reference to oscar wilde
  • reference to allen ginsberg
  • reference to buddha
  • hit with a rock
  • horseback riding
  • fireworks
  • papaya
  • crying woman
  • lantern
  • life magazine
  • knife
  • apple
  • fossil
  • sharpening an axe
  • adultery
  • taking a selfie
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Cast & crew

The Forgiven Cast & Characters

Ralph Fiennes leads the cast, with Jessica Chastain and Saïd Taghmaoui as Anouar. Directed by John Michael McDonagh; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Forgiven

· 10 more
From the director

More from John Michael McDonagh

More films directed by John Michael McDonagh, best-rated first: Calvary, The Guard and War on Everyone.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Forgiven Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Forgiven 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

53 /100

The Forgiven Echo Score Breakdown

The Forgiven elicits a mixed response, with its visual design and occasional performances drawing modest praise while its narrative structure and thematic execution generate notable criticism. Critics acknowledge the atmospheric score and set pieces, yet frequently cite a lack of subtlety in writing and uneven character development. User feedback echoes this split, highlighting strong lead work against a sluggish plot and questionable tonal choices. Overall, the film offers moments of intrigue but struggles to sustain a compelling, cohesive experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film presents a restrained aesthetic marked by sparse music and deliberate composition. Critics note stiffness in writing and a lack of subtlety, while some reviewers commend the evident visual quality and set design. Audience comments reflect both appreciation for the contained production design and disappointment in its unremarkable execution. The overall craftsmanship therefore leans toward the lower mid range.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character work, the lead performances receive consistent acknowledgment for depth and nuance. Reviewers cite Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain as delivering powerful, nuanced portrayals despite an overall grim tone. Users also praise the chemistry and sarcasm of the main duo, though they find secondary characters less compelling. This blend of strong central acting with weaker peripheral roles places the character dimension solidly in the moderate‑positive range.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The narrative structure of The Forgiven is frequently described as uneven and conventional. Critics point to stiff writing, a lack of originality, and an abrupt character arc that undermine thematic weight. User opinions similarly note a sluggish pace, predictable plot points, and an unsatisfying resolution. While a few reviewers find retrospective intrigue, the dominant sentiment is that the story fails to maintain engagement, resulting in a low score for this aspect.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory elements, particularly the sparse yet effective soundtrack, receive positive remarks across reviews. Critics highlight Lorne Balfe's atmospheric music that allows narrative space, and users note the evident visual quality and set design. The sound design and visual style are seen as strengthening the film's mood, even as other components falter. This consistent appreciation places the sensory experience in the higher mid‑range.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential appears limited according to both critics and viewers. While some comment that the film provokes discussion and offers moments worth revisiting, many describe it as a fleeting experience better suited for a single viewing. User feedback mentions forgetting the film quickly after a brief laugh, and critics note that its flaws outweigh its occasional intrigue. Consequently, the rewatch factor remains modest.

Plot

The Forgiven Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Forgiven from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

David Henninger, Ralph Fiennes and his wife Jo Henninger, Jessica Chastain, travel to Morocco in an effort to ease the strain that has been building between them. As they move along a winding road, a misjudged curve turns tragic when David strikes and kills a young teenager named Driss, who is holding a fossil in his grasp. The accident is compounded by the fact that David was driving while intoxicated, and the couple is confronted with the harsh reality of what has happened.

Full summary

The whole story of The Forgiven, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Forgiven Box Office

The Forgiven grossed $1.4 million worldwide. $340,222 came from the US and Canada and $1 million (75%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.4M

US & Canada
$340.2K
International
$1M
US & Canada 25% Rest of the world 75%
Videos

The Forgiven Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip The Forgiven | Official Clip (HD) Useless People
  • Clip The Forgiven | Official Clip (HD) | How Did It Happen
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Forgiven?

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

Which actor plays the role of David Henninger?

Details

The Forgiven Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “寬恕” and “O Perdoado”.

Also known as
  • 寬恕
  • O Perdoado
  • 宽恕
  • Los perdonados
  • 더 포기븐
  • Affedilen
  • Bocsánatos bűn, შენდობილი
  • Прощённый
  • Odpuštění
  • المغفور له
  • Oprošteno
  • המחילה
+8 more
  • Опростеният
  • Denen man vergibt
  • Els perdonats
  • เดอะ ฟอร์กีฟเว่น อภัยไม่ลืม
  • Cel iertat
  • Contrecoups
  • Прощений
  • Atleistieji

Seen The Forgiven?

FAQ

The Forgiven FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Forgiven, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Forgiven?

The Forgiven runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was The Forgiven released?

The Forgiven was released on July 1, 2022.

Who directed The Forgiven?

The Forgiven was directed by John Michael McDonagh.

More films by John Michael McDonagh

Who is in the cast of The Forgiven?

The Forgiven stars Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Saïd Taghmaoui as Anouar, among 14 credited actors.

How much did The Forgiven make at the box office?

The Forgiven grossed $1.4 million worldwide ($340,222 domestic, $1 million international).

How is The Forgiven rated?

The Forgiven has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Is The Forgiven based on a book?

Yes. The Forgiven is adapted from The Forgiven by Lawrence Osborne.

Does The Forgiven have a post-credit scene?

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

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