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Drama thriller

The Mill (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Mill (2023) movie poster

The Mill is a 2023 drama thriller directed by Sean King O'Grady, starring Lil Rel Howery as Joe, Patrick Fischler and Karen Obilom. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $994,105 worldwide. IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Stream it on Hulu.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
worldwide gross
$994.1K
Echo Score
56
The Mill (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Mill About?

The premise of The Mill without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a dystopian near-future America dominated by corporations, Joe experiences a sudden and dramatic downfall. He finds himself imprisoned in a bizarre, open-air facility, completely unaware of how he arrived or the circumstances of his incarceration. As he struggles to piece together his lost memories, he must uncover the truth about his rise within the powerful Mallard Corporation and the events that led to his mysterious imprisonment.

The Mill Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • prison
  • escape
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Mill

Stream it on Hulu. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Stream 1

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Mill Cast & Characters

Lil Rel Howery leads the cast as Joe, with Patrick Fischler as Neighbor and Karen Obilom as Kate. Directed by Sean King O'Grady; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Mill

· 4 more
Ratings

The Mill Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Mill 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in rewatch factor (65) and weakest in character & emotion (50).

56 /100

The Mill Echo Score Breakdown

The Mill generates a mixed reception, with critics pointing to uneven execution while many viewers acknowledge an intriguing premise. Praise centers on its thematic relevance and occasional suspense, yet criticism highlights predictable storytelling and underused visual opportunities. The net impression is that the film offers moments of engagement but often falls short of sustaining interest throughout its runtime, resulting in a modest overall appraisal.

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

  • Art & Craft 58

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows flashes of competent genre filmmaking but suffers from inconsistent direction and limited visual dynamism. Critics note a lack of well‑executed surprises and pacing issues, while some reviewers commend its suspenseful atmosphere. The single‑location setting is seen as both a constraint and a missed chance for creative cinematography, leading to an overall modest assessment of its technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When evaluating character and emotion, lead performances receive divided feedback. Several critics argue that Lil Rel Howery’s portrayal feels forced and fails to sustain engagement, whereas a few users find his work adequate or even fine. The supporting cast occasionally provides a more engaging presence, but overall the acting is judged as uneven, resulting in a balanced but lukewarm impression of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story and flow exhibit a blend of thematic ambition and narrative predictability. Critics highlight repetitive pacing, a predictable twist, and a monotone structure, while some praise its thoughtful metaphorical underpinnings. Viewer comments echo both the sense of suspense and the feeling of a familiar, flattened plot. Consequently, the film’s storytelling is viewed as partially effective but hindered by a lack of originality and momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 52

    Sensory experience assessments note a competent but unremarkable soundtrack and visual style. Reviewers describe the visuals as flat and the score as forgettable, though a minority mention moments of tension that sustain interest. The sound design does not stand out, and the overall sensory impact is judged as adequate yet lacking the distinctiveness needed to elevate the film’s atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor considerations reveal a modest appetite for repeat viewings. Some audience members claim the film remains thought‑provoking and recommend it for its thematic relevance, while others label it forgettable and not worth revisiting. The mixture of engaging themes and occasional suspense contributes to a slightly positive inclination toward rewatching, though the uneven execution tempers overall enthusiasm.

Plot

The Mill Plot Summary

What happens in The Mill from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Joe, an employee of the Mallard Corporation, awakens in a strange courtyard with no memory of how he arrived. The moment he wakes, he is thrust into a quiet, watchful space where time seems to loop, and every turn of the day carries the weight of an unseen ruleset. The circumstances are unclear, but the sense that something is designed around him becomes unmistakable as he begins to explore his surroundings and search for any clue that might explain his presence.

Full summary

The whole story of The Mill, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Mill Box Office

The Mill grossed $994,105 worldwide. $139,358 came from the US and Canada and $854,747 (86%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$994.1K

US & Canada
$139.4K
International
$854.7K
US & Canada 14% Rest of the world 86%
Videos

The Mill Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Mill.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Mill?

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 company where Joe is employed?

Details

The Mill Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “آسیاب” and “O Mistério do Moinho”.

Also known as
  • آسیاب
  • O Mistério do Moinho
  • El molino secreto
  • Mlýn
  • Мельница
  • El molino
  • 磨坊
  • Le Moulin
  • 더 밀
  • O Moinho
  • Ο Μύλος
  • A malom
+6 more
  • Il Mulino
  • ザ・ミル
  • Młyn
  • Închis în aer liber
  • Mlyn
  • 囚磨

Seen The Mill?

FAQ

The Mill FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Mill, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Mill?

The Mill runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was The Mill released?

The Mill was released on October 9, 2023.

Who directed The Mill?

The Mill was directed by Sean King O'Grady.

More films by Sean King O'Grady

Who is in the cast of The Mill?

The Mill stars Lil Rel Howery as Joe, Patrick Fischler as Neighbor and Karen Obilom as Kate, among 8 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Mill?

In the US, The Mill is streaming on Hulu (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Mill make at the box office?

The Mill grossed $994,105 worldwide ($139,358 domestic, $854,747 international).

How is The Mill rated?

The Mill has 5.4/10 on IMDb and 58% on TMDB.

Does The Mill have a post-credit scene?

No. The Mill has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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