The Lullaby (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Lullaby is a 2018 horror film directed by Darrell Roodt, starring Reine Swart as Chloe van Heerden, Thandi Puren and Brandon Auret. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $242,997 worldwide. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Darrell Roodt
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Uncork'd Entertainment
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is The Lullaby About?
The premise of The Lullaby without spoilers.
Following her return to her family home of Eden Rock, new mother Chloe van Heerden is overwhelmed by the challenges of motherhood. Tormented by her baby’s constant crying, feelings of guilt, and mounting paranoia, she becomes increasingly convinced that a sinister force is endangering her child. Seeking help, she consults with family psychologist Dr. Reed, but his initial assessments are questioned as Chloe's grasp on reality weakens, leaving her desperately searching for answers.
The Lullaby Cast & Characters
Reine Swart leads the cast as Chloe van Heerden, with Thandi Puren as Ruby van Heerden and Brandon Auret as Dr. Timothy Reed. Directed by Darrell Roodt; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Darrell Roodt
- Reine Swart as Chloe van Heerden
- Thandi Puren as Ruby van Heerden
-
Brandon Auret as Dr. Timothy Reed - Deànré Reiners as Adam Hess
Also Starring in The Lullaby
· 4 more- Dorothy Ann Gould Midwife
- Lara de Villiers Boer mother
- Samuel Frauenstein Truck driver
- Shayla-Rae McFarlane Young Chloe
More from Darrell Roodt
More films directed by Darrell Roodt, best-rated first: Cry, the Beloved Country and Winnie Mandela.
The Lullaby Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Lullaby 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in character & emotion (45).
The Lullaby Echo Score Breakdown
The Lullaby presents a compelling atmospheric experience that struggles under uneven script and character depth. While its ominous tone and well-executed jump scares create sustained tension, the narrative suffers from convoluted twists and a disjointed final act. The central figure’s psychological decline provides moments of intrigue, yet limited emotional connection and slow pacing detract from overall engagement. Ultimately, the film balances striking mood and unsettling imagery against deficiencies in coherence and resonance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film excels in establishing a tense visual atmosphere. Critics highlight the effective use of shadow and framing to build ominous mood, and some note the engaging cinematography that enhances moment-to-moment tension. However, others observe that suspense occasionally falters between key scenes. Overall, the visual design and directorial choices deliver a strong sense of dread.
- Character & Emotion 45
When it comes to character and emotion, the film exhibits uneven depth and resonance. Reviews indicate that the lead’s psychological strain is portrayed with intermittent intensity, yet many note that empathy for the protagonist remains limited. The screenplay is cited as insufficiently developed to support sustained emotional investment. In the end, character arcs feel underexplored and diminish the film’s overall emotional impact.
- Story & Flow 50
In terms of story and flow, the narrative maintains occasional intrigue but suffers from pacing issues and structural imbalance. Observations highlight inventive use of flashbacks to convey paranoia, yet critics often describe the plot as convoluted and note that the final act lacks cohesion. The slow build and abrupt shifts undermine engagement. Consequently, the story delivers an inconsistent experience that may challenge viewer investment.
- Sensory Experience 70
When it comes to sensory experience, the film succeeds in creating a chilling auditory and visual environment. Critics commend the ominous sound design and unsettling score that amplify jump scares, while the visual style—with its stark contrasts and gore effects—intensifies the atmosphere. Audiences find the imagery to be strikingly abrasive at key moments. Overall, the sensory elements significantly contribute to the film’s capacity to provoke unease.
- Rewatch Factor 50
In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers moderate appeal for repeat viewing. Some viewers appreciate revisiting its unsettling imagery and thematic undercurrents, finding the atmospheric details more evident on additional screenings. However, limitations in narrative clarity and emotional investment often reduce the impetus to return. As a result, the movie holds a modest replay value that may appeal primarily to genre enthusiasts rather than broader audiences.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 73% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 48 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.6 /5
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Lullaby Box Office
The Lullaby grossed $242,997 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$243K
- International
- $243K
The Lullaby Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer The Lullaby International Trailer
The Lullaby Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Siembamba” and “Az Altatódal”.
- Also known as
-
- Siembamba
- Az Altatódal
- Siembamba: A Canção do Mal
- 催眠曲
- Con el demonio adentro
- Lời Ru Tử Thần
Seen The Lullaby?
The Lullaby FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Lullaby, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Lullaby?
The Lullaby runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was The Lullaby released?
The Lullaby was released on March 2, 2018.
Who directed The Lullaby?
The Lullaby was directed by Darrell Roodt.
More films by Darrell Roodt Who is in the cast of The Lullaby?
The Lullaby stars Reine Swart as Chloe van Heerden, Thandi Puren as Ruby van Heerden and Brandon Auret as Dr. Timothy Reed, among 8 credited actors.
How much did The Lullaby make at the box office?
The Lullaby grossed $242,997 worldwide.
How is The Lullaby rated?
The Lullaby has 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic, 57% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.
Does The Lullaby have a post-credit scene?
Yes. The Lullaby has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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