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Drama

The Hand of God (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Hand of God (2021) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
worldwide gross
$167.9K
award nominations
4
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The Hand of God (2021) movie poster
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
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Hand of God

· 6 more
From the director

More from Paolo Sorrentino

More films directed by Paolo Sorrentino, best-rated first: The Great Beauty, La Grazia, Il Divo and Loro.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

80 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Hand of God Box Office & Budget

The Hand of God grossed $167,909 worldwide on a $13.1 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$167.9K

International
$167.9K
Budget
$13.1M
Awards

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

Videos

The Hand of God Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  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 year does the film primarily take place in?

Details

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
  • 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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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