The Hand of God (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Hand of God is a 2021 drama directed by Paolo Sorrentino, starring Toni Servillo as Saverio Schisa, Teresa Saponangelo and Filippo Scotti. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $167,909 worldwide on a $13.1 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 10m (130 min)
- Director
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Italian
- Studio
- Netflix
- Budget
- $13.1M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Hand of God About?
The premise of The Hand of God without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In 1980s Naples, the life of young Fabietto Schisa is profoundly impacted by the arrival of football superstar Diego Maradona. Amidst a backdrop of both joy and tragedy, unexpected events shape his destiny. This deeply personal film from Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino explores themes of family, identity, and the role of chance, blending sports, cinema, love, and loss in a poignant and evocative portrait of a young man’s coming-of-age.
The Hand of God Cast & Characters
Toni Servillo leads the cast as Saverio Schisa, with Teresa Saponangelo as Maria Schisa and Filippo Scotti as Fabietto Schisa. Directed by Paolo Sorrentino; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Paolo Sorrentino
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Toni Servillo as Saverio Schisa -
Teresa Saponangelo as Maria Schisa -
Filippo Scotti as Fabietto Schisa -
Marlon Joubert as Marchino Schisa
Also Starring in The Hand of God
· 6 more- Luisa Ranieri Patrizia
- Renato Carpentieri Alfredo
- Betty Pedrazzi Baronessa Focale
- Biagio Manna Armando
- Ciro Capano Antonio Capuano
- Massimiliano Gallo Franco
More from Paolo Sorrentino
More films directed by Paolo Sorrentino, best-rated first: The Great Beauty, La Grazia, Il Divo and Loro.
The Hand of God Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Hand of God 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in story & flow (68).
The Hand of God Echo Score Breakdown
In summary, The Hand of God delivers a visually striking and emotionally resonant portrait of youthful longing, anchored by Sorrentino’s distinctive cinematography and personal storytelling. Critics and audiences commend its charm, nostalgic atmosphere, and evocative score, while pointing to uneven pacing and a occasionally meandering structure. The film’s blend of intimate moments and episodic vignettes offers a memorable, if imperfect, coming-of-age experience that rewards attentive viewers. Consequently, the movie earns a solid but not flawless rating.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
Regarding art and craft, the film showcases Sorrentino’s signature visual flair through lingering shots, a sun‑drenched palette, and meticulous composition that immerses viewers in 1980s Naples. Critics note the exquisite cinematography and cohesive production design, though some find the editing uneven, contributing to a meandering flow. Overall, the craftsmanship is strong, providing a distinctive aesthetic that elevates the narrative.
- Character & Emotion 78
In terms of character and emotion, performances convey a heartfelt, if occasionally subdued, portrayal of adolescence. Actors deliver nuanced moments that capture familial bonds and personal yearning, earning praise for authenticity. Some reviewers, however, describe certain portrayals as bland or lacking depth, diminishing emotional impact. Collectively, the character work is competent, offering enough resonance to anchor the film’s nostalgic tone.
- Story & Flow 68
The narrative presents an episodic coming‑of‑age journey that mixes nostalgia with personal discovery. While many find the fragmented structure evocative of memory, critics also point to a lack of cohesive plot progression and occasional pacing lapses that render parts of the film meandering. This blend of strengths and weaknesses results in a story that is engaging in moments but uneven overall.
- Sensory Experience 82
The sensory experience is highlighted by a luminous soundtrack and rich sound design that complement the sun‑kissed visuals. Reviewers commend the film’s atmospheric score and the texture of ambient noises that deepen immersion. Though a few note scattered musical moments, the overall audio‑visual cohesion reinforces the film’s nostalgic mood, making the sensory layer one of its most compelling attributes.
- Rewatch Factor 75
Rewatch value stems from the film’s charming, nostalgic atmosphere and personal emotional core, which invite repeat viewings to uncover subtle details. While some viewers find the episodic structure and pacing less engaging on subsequent watches, many appreciate the lingering visual style and evocative score that reward attentive audiences. Overall, the movie offers a pleasant, if not universally compelling, incentive to revisit.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 84% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
2.1K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Hand of God Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Hand of God 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 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1984 Naples, young Fabietto Schisa (Filippo Scotti) savors a carefree adolescence surrounded by a loving family and their colorful friends. However, the tranquility of their lives is abruptly disrupted by a series of personal crises: Patrizia (Luisa Ranieri), Fabietto’s aunt, endures abuse from her husband; Marchino (Marlon Joubert) faces disappointment as his acting aspirations crumble following a failed audition with the legendary Federico Fellini; and Saverio (Toni Servillo) betrays Maria (Teresa Saponangelo) through infidelity.
Full summary
The whole story of The Hand of God, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Hand of God Box Office & Budget
The Hand of God grossed $167,909 worldwide on a $13.1 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$167.9K
- International
- $167.9K
- Budget
- $13.1M
The Hand of God Awards & Nominations
The Hand of God was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 4 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the BAFTA 2022.
4 nominations3 ceremonies
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BAFTA 2022 2 nominations- Nominated Best Casting
- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language – Paolo Sorrentino
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Artios Awards 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Studio or Independent – Drama
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Oscars 2022 1 nomination- Nominated International Feature Film
The Hand of God Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip
How Well Do You Know The Hand of God?
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 year does the film primarily take place in?
The Hand of God Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “It was the hand of God” and “Fue la mano de Dios”.
- Also known as
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- It was the hand of God
- Fue la mano de Dios
- The Hand of God - A Mão de Deus
- Hand of God -神の手が触れた日-
- Dieva roka
- 신의 손
- Boží ruka
- Рука Бога
- Isten keze
- Die Hand Gottes
- The Hand of God: A Mão de Deus
- La Main de Dieu
+9 more Show fewer
- יד האלוהים
- A mão de Deus
- 上帝之手
- To była ręka Boga
- Ръката на Бог
- Hand of God -神の手が触れた日-
- Bila je to Božja roka
- A fost mâna lui Dumnezeu
- Tay Trái Của Chúa
Seen The Hand of God?
The Hand of God FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Hand of God, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Hand of God?
The Hand of God runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).
When was The Hand of God released?
The Hand of God was released on December 3, 2021.
Who directed The Hand of God?
The Hand of God was directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
More films by Paolo Sorrentino Who is in the cast of The Hand of God?
The Hand of God stars Toni Servillo as Saverio Schisa, Teresa Saponangelo as Maria Schisa and Filippo Scotti as Fabietto Schisa, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Hand of God make at the box office?
The Hand of God grossed $167,909 worldwide on a budget of $13.1 million.
How is The Hand of God rated?
The Hand of God has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Was The Hand of God nominated for any awards?
The Hand of God received 4 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does The Hand of God have a post-credit scene?
No. The Hand of God has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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