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Adventure drama

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2019) movie poster

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is a 2019 adventure drama starring Jonathan Pryce as Don Quixote, Adam Driver and Olga Kurylenko. It is inspired by Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and Edith Grossman. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $2.4 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. Critics gave it 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
66%
worldwide gross
$2.4M
Echo Score
63
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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Genres
Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama , Fantasy
Original language
English
Budget
$17M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Man Who Killed Don Quixote About?

The premise of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A cynical filmmaker, while shooting a student film in Spain, finds his life upended when he encounters a local man who believes himself to be Don Quixote. The cobbler drags the director into a series of increasingly bizarre and chaotic adventures, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. As the director struggles to regain control of his film and his sanity, he finds himself unexpectedly charmed by the cobbler's unwavering belief and idealism.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • voice over narration
  • horse
  • windmill
  • filmmaking
  • film shoot
  • self referential
  • dvd
  • infidelity
  • flashback
  • camera
  • film camera
  • wind turbine
+38 more
  • village
  • procession
  • religious procession
  • breaking a glass
  • urination
  • motorcycle
  • dog
  • dog barks
  • old woman
  • film projection
  • fire
  • blood
  • helicopter
  • garbage dump
  • mattress
  • hiding
  • donkey
  • gold coin
  • waterfall
  • sheep
  • herd of sheep
  • lance
  • kiss
  • animal human kiss
  • slapped in the face
  • dream
  • gypsy
  • falling from height
  • death
  • giant
  • hallucination
  • character interacts with subtitles
  • russian mobster
  • russian oligarch
  • modern day adaptation
  • dutch angle
  • spain
  • fantasy reality crossover
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Cast & crew

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Cast & Characters

Jonathan Pryce leads the cast as Don Quixote, with Adam Driver as Toby and Olga Kurylenko as Jacqui.

Also Starring in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

· 12 more
Ratings

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in story & flow (45).

63 /100

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Echo Score Breakdown

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote delivers a blend of bold ambition and uneven execution. Its inventive visuals and committed performances are often undercut by pacing slumps and narrative digressions, leading to a mixed reception. While many praise its imaginative flourishes and thematic resonance, others find the tonal shifts and structural incoherence distracting. Overall, the film stands as an occasionally rewarding yet flawed journey that will appeal most to fans of idiosyncratic cinema.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays Terry Gilliam’s trademark surreal production design alongside moments of cluttered execution. The cinematography frequently captures striking, dreamlike tableaux, but these are sometimes overwhelmed by overambitious set pieces. Editing choices contribute to a sense of visual wonder even as occasional chaos undermines clarity. Ultimately, the art direction is bold and memorable, albeit uneven in its application.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances by Driver and Pryce stand out with committed energy and palpable chemistry. Secondary figures, however, often lack depth, and a few arcs conclude without full emotional payoff. Dialogue delivers wit and occasional poignancy, but abrupt tonal shifts limit sustained resonance. In the end, the film offers strong lead portrayals balanced by underdeveloped supporting roles.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative begins with intriguing promise but becomes increasingly erratic as it progresses. Initial setup unfolds with engaging premise and snappy dialogue, yet forced coincidences and thematic asides disrupt momentum. By the third act, dramatic propulsion stalls, and key events arrive without adequate buildup. Overall, the plot’s imaginative core is hampered by inconsistent pacing and structural confusion.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels with a vivid, cohesive visual style that immerses viewers in Gilliam’s whimsical world. The sound design and musical cues enhance dramatic moments, reinforcing the film’s fantastical tone. Even at its most overstuffed, the layered imagery and dynamic mise-en-scène maintain a potent sense of spectacle. Ultimately, the sensory presentation is one of the film’s most engaging attributes.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    With respect to rewatch factor, the movie’s imaginative concepts and striking visuals invite repeat viewings to uncover additional layers. However, narrative complexity and occasional confusion may deter some viewers from revisiting. Enthusiasts of Gilliam’s aesthetic will likely appreciate further engagement with its thematic undertones, while those seeking a more streamlined story might hesitate. Overall, the film offers moderate replay value for its target audience.

Plot

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Plot Summary

What happens in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In present-day Spain, the scene is set for a large commercial production featuring Don Quixote, portrayed by Adam Driver. As the cast and crew, communicating in English, prepare for the shoot, Toby, the film’s director, stumbles upon a significant relic from his past: his student film titled “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” has been released on DVD. After purchasing a copy, Toby retreats to his hotel room to watch it with Jacqui, played by Olga Kurylenko, with whom he is embarking on a secret romantic affair. However, complications arise because Jacqui is married to a powerful figure in the production, leading to growing tensions when her husband discovers the liaison.

Full summary

The whole story of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Box Office & Budget

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, 14% of what it cost. $391,963 came from the US and Canada and $2 million (84%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.4M

14% of its budget back

US & Canada
$392K
International
$2M
Budget
$17M
US & Canada 16% Rest of the world 84%
Videos

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Trailer for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
  • Trailer SECOND TRAILER for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Man Who Killed Don Quixote?

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

What is the name of the main character who stumbles upon his own student film?

Cars

Cars in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

11 cars on screen, including the 2017 BMW R 1200 GS and the Nissan Patrol.

All 11 cars
  • 2017 BMW R 1200 GS in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 2017 BMW R 1200 GS Important role
  • Nissan Patrol in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Nissan Patrol Important role
  • 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 220 d W213 in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 2017 Mercedes-Benz E 220 d W213 Minor role
  • Seat Toledo in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Seat Toledo Minor role
Details

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “돈키호테를 죽인 남자” and “谁杀死了堂吉诃德”.

Also known as
  • 돈키호테를 죽인 남자
  • 谁杀死了堂吉诃德
  • L'uomo che uccise Don Chisciotte
  • Der Mann, der Don Quixote tötete
  • El hombre que mató a don Quijote
  • Az ember, aki megölte Don Quijotét
  • O Homem Que Matou Don Quixote
  • Человек, который убил Дон Кихота
  • L'homme qui tua Don Quichotte
  • Човекът, който уби Дон Кихот
  • O Homem Que Matou Dom Quixote
  • 这个男人来自疯狂世界
+15 more
  • Ο Άνθρωπος Που Σκότωσε Το Δον Κιχώτη
  • Muž, ktorý zabil Dona Quijota
  • 돈키호테를 죽인 사나이
  • Don Kişot'u Öldüren Adam
  • Muž, který zabil Dona Quijota
  • Człowiek, który zabił Don Kichota
  • Don Quijote gyilkosa
  • Чоловік, який убив Дон Кіхота
  • 誰殺了唐吉訶德
  • Човек који је убио Дон Кихота
  • Manden der dræbte Don Quixote
  • האיש שהרג את דון קישוט
  • Omul care l-a ucis pe Don Quijote
  • テリー・ギリアムのドン・キホーテ, ადამიანი რომელმაც დონ კიხოტი მოკლა
  • Sát Thủ Giết Don Quixote

Seen The Man Who Killed Don Quixote?

FAQ

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Man Who Killed Don Quixote?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was The Man Who Killed Don Quixote released?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote was released on April 10, 2019.

Who is in the cast of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote stars Jonathan Pryce as Don Quixote, Adam Driver as Toby and Olga Kurylenko as Jacqui, among 16 credited actors.

How much did The Man Who Killed Don Quixote make at the box office?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote grossed $2.4 million worldwide ($391,963 domestic, $2 million international) on a budget of $17 million.

How is The Man Who Killed Don Quixote rated?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 66% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does The Man Who Killed Don Quixote have a post-credit scene?

No. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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