Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

The Grief of Others (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Grief of Others (2018) movie poster

The Grief of Others is a 2018 drama directed by Patrick Wang, starring Rachel Dratch as Madeleine Berkowitz, Trevor St. John and Oona Laurence. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $289,455 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$289.5K
Echo Score
75
Loading streaming availability…
The Grief of Others (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Patrick Wang
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Grief of Others About?

The premise of The Grief of Others without spoilers.

Following a tragic loss, the Ryries family faces immense grief that fractures their world. Their children exhibit unusual behaviors, seemingly reflecting the unspoken pain they all experience. Isolated and overwhelmed by heartache, their lives are unexpectedly touched by a visitor who encourages empathy and understanding. The experience illuminates the shared nature of sorrow and demonstrates how profound loss can forge unexpected connections between people.

The Grief of Others Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • grief
  • reconciliation
  • scattering ashes
  • ash scattering
  • funeral
  • diorama
  • hand drawn comic book
  • teen suspended from school
  • dead fetus
  • stillborn child
  • drunkenness
  • dysfunctional family
+33 more
  • opening scene repeated later in film
  • problem pregnancy
  • unwanted pregnancy
  • death of unborn child
  • unborn child
  • music box
  • overhearing a conversation
  • mourning
  • river
  • half brother half sister relationship
  • chinese ink
  • pen and ink drawing
  • talking at the same time
  • skipping school
  • title same as book
  • superimposition
  • garbage bag
  • garbage
  • abortion doctor
  • considering abortion
  • flashback
  • pregnancy
  • loss of father
  • fat boy
  • half sister
  • dog
  • falling into water
  • little girl
  • playing hooky
  • family relationships
  • family crisis
  • loss of baby
  • based on novel
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Grief of Others Cast & Characters

Rachel Dratch leads the cast as Madeleine Berkowitz, with Trevor St. John as John Ryrie and Oona Laurence as Biscuit Ryrie. Directed by Patrick Wang; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Grief of Others

· 6 more
From the director

More from Patrick Wang

More films directed by Patrick Wang, best-rated first: A Bread Factory Part Two: Walk With Me a While, In the Family and A Bread Factory Part One: For the Sake of Gold.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Grief of Others Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Grief of Others 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

75 /100

The Grief of Others Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Grief of Others demonstrates strong visual craftsmanship but uneven narrative engagement. Critics commend the film’s artful direction, long fixed takes, and nuanced in-camera effects that underscore the characters’ inner turmoil. Emotional resonance is present through understated performances and thematic depth, although some viewers find the restraint reduces involvement. Pacing and plot coherence fluctuate, leading to mixed responses on sustained interest. In sum, the film delivers a distinct atmosphere and depth but struggles to maintain consistent engagement throughout.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    Art & Craft is a standout element, marked by deliberate long takes and inventive in-camera effects. In terms of cinematography and direction, fixed wide shots and aesthetic fractures convey the relentlessness of the characters’ experiences. Technical ingenuity in staging and editing also receives consistent praise. Overall, the film’s visual craftsmanship delivers a distinct and resonant atmosphere.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character & Emotion yields nuanced moments of empathy, emphasizing internal weather and emotional resonance. Acting and character depth benefit from unobtrusive performances and cathartic group dynamics. However, some viewers find the restraint diminishes involvement, leaving certain figures feeling distant. In conclusion, the film presents moments of genuine connection but can struggle to fully engage its audience.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Story & Flow is characterized by a contemplative, non-linear structure that offers originality but uneven pacing. Plot coherence is supported by subtle time-fracturing gestures, yet the lean narrative and multiple subplots can feel underdeveloped. While the adaptation introduces inventive moments, some viewers lose engagement halfway through. In summary, the film’s narrative has intriguing ideas but lacks cohesive momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels in visual style and sound design through static wide shots and understated score. In-camera effects and naturalistic audio contribute to a cohesive aesthetic. Some viewers found the deliberate pacing and sparse soundtrack distancing at times. Overall, the sensory elements deepen the mood but can occasionally feel remote.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch Factor is notably mixed, as thematic depth and non-linear layers invite return viewings. Emotional catharsis and nuanced gestures may reveal new insights on subsequent watches. However, uneven pacing and occasional detachment lead some viewers to lose interest before the finale. Ultimately, the film offers rewards for committed viewers but limited broad replay value.

Box office

The Grief of Others Box Office

The Grief of Others grossed $289,455 worldwide. $67,986 came from the US and Canada and $221,469 (77%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$289.5K

US & Canada
$68K
International
$221.5K
US & Canada 23% Rest of the world 77%
Videos

The Grief of Others Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Grief of Others.

Trailer

Seen The Grief of Others?

FAQ

The Grief of Others FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Grief of Others, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Grief of Others?

The Grief of Others runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was The Grief of Others released?

The Grief of Others was released on November 2, 2018.

Who directed The Grief of Others?

The Grief of Others was directed by Patrick Wang.

More films by Patrick Wang

Who is in the cast of The Grief of Others?

The Grief of Others stars Rachel Dratch as Madeleine Berkowitz, Trevor St. John as John Ryrie and Oona Laurence as Biscuit Ryrie, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Grief of Others make at the box office?

The Grief of Others grossed $289,455 worldwide ($67,986 domestic, $221,469 international).

How is The Grief of Others rated?

The Grief of Others has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does The Grief of Others have a post-credit scene?

No. The Grief of Others has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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