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The More You Ignore Me (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The More You Ignore Me (2018) movie poster

The More You Ignore Me is a 2018 comedy directed by Keith English, starring Jo Brand as Sandra, Sheridan Smith and Ella Hunt. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $212,498 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 71/100.

worldwide gross
$212.5K
Echo Score
71
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The More You Ignore Me (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Keith English
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The More You Ignore Me About?

The premise of The More You Ignore Me without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Based on Jo Brand’s novel, this comedy drama explores the life of an eccentric family in 1980s rural England. Gina, a young mother, struggles to balance her roles while battling declining mental health. Her condition worsens with an unusual obsession, leading to hospitalization. As her daughter Alice grows, she finds it difficult to connect with her medicated mother, and a plan to reunite the family creates lasting divisions and a poignant conclusion, underscored by the music of The Smiths.

The More You Ignore Me Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags
  • five word title
  • guinea pig
  • mental illness
  • unconventional family
  • 1980s
  • rural england
  • weatherman
  • psychiatric hospital
  • family relationships
  • mother daughter relationship
  • song in title
  • based on novel
+1 more
  • title written by female
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Cast & crew

The More You Ignore Me Cast & Characters

Jo Brand leads the cast as Sandra, with Sheridan Smith as Gina Wilson and Ella Hunt as Alice Wilson. Directed by Keith English; 27 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The More You Ignore Me

· 23 more
Show all 27 cast members
From the director

More from Keith English

One more film directed by Keith English: The Cost of Deception.

Full filmography
Ratings

The More You Ignore Me Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

71 /100

The More You Ignore Me Echo Score Breakdown

The More You Ignore Me delivers a warm, period‑driven drama that largely succeeds in portraying bipolar disorder and family dynamics. Direction and production design immerse viewers in 1970s‑80s Britain, while the ensemble cast, especially Ella Hunt and Sheridan Smith, offers nuanced performances that evoke empathy. Criticisms focus on uneven tonal shifts, a limited soundtrack, and an anachronistic tattoo that momentarily breaks immersion. Nonetheless, the film’s emotional core and authentic setting render it a commendable, if imperfect, viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and production design, Keith English creates an authentic 1970s‑80s atmosphere through meticulous set dressing and costume choices. Reviewers note the period details, such as cold houses and vintage clothing, enhance immersion. A minor flaw is the conspicuous tattoo that disrupts visual continuity. Overall, the film’s artful construction supports its narrative effectively.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When assessing character work, the ensemble receives widespread praise, with Ella Hunt’s portrayal of Alice highlighted as the film’s emotional anchor. Sheridan Smith and other veterans are noted for strong performances, though some critics find the mother’s depiction overly theatrical. The chemistry among family members conveys genuine affection, balancing moments of humor and pathos. Overall, character rendering is solid despite occasional excess.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The narrative follows a family coping with a mother’s severe mental illness, interweaving personal growth with period nostalgia. Reviewers commend its engaging and heartfelt storyline, especially the father‑daughter bond. However, some note tonal inconsistency, a rushed ending, and implausible plot elements like the tattoo and limited comedic ambition. In sum, the story is emotionally resonant yet uneven in execution.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The film’s visual palette captures the muted tones and cluttered interiors of the era, reinforcing its period setting. Sound design is unobtrusive, allowing dialogue to dominate. Critics, however, lament the sparse soundtrack, with only two Smiths songs, and highlight the anachronistic tattoo as a sensory distraction. Overall, sensory elements contribute to authenticity but are marred by limited musical breadth.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Viewers report a strong inclination to revisit the film, citing its heartfelt family moments and authentic period detail as repeatable pleasures. The performances, especially Ella Hunt’s, encourage multiple viewings to appreciate subtle nuances. Nevertheless, the limited soundtrack and occasional tonal lapses may hinder endless re‑watchability. Overall, the movie offers solid replay value for those drawn to its emotional core.

Plot

The More You Ignore Me Plot Summary

What happens in The More You Ignore Me from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Alice Hollingworth Ella Hunt is a bright but lonely teenager living in a small English town during the 1980s. Her life is complicated by her mother Gina’s Sheridan Smith struggle with severe mental illness, which began as postnatal depression and has since dominated the family’s existence. Alice’s father, Keith Wilson Mark Addy, is a stoic and caring presence, trying to hold the family together while supporting both his wife and daughter.

Alice finds solace in music, particularly in her growing obsession with Morrissey and The Smiths, sparked by a revelatory moment watching Top of the Pops. As she navigates adolescence, her infatuation becomes both an escape from her difficult home life and a way to process her fears about inheriting her mother’s condition.

Full summary

The whole story of The More You Ignore Me, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The More You Ignore Me Box Office

The More You Ignore Me grossed $212,498 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$212.5K

International
$212.5K
Videos

The More You Ignore Me Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers and 5 clips.

All 7 videos
THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME Official Trailer (2018) Dark Comedy
  • Trailer The More You Ignore Me Exclusive Trailer #1 (2020) | Movieclips Indie
  • Clip The More You Ignore Me Exclusive Movie Clip - Mom Discovers Morrissey (2020) | Movieclips Indie
  • Clip The More You Ignore Me | Movie Scene: Alice discovers The Smiths and it changes her life forever
  • Clip Ella Hunt stars in coming-of-age movie THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME | 🍅80% Rotten Tomatoes Score
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The More You Ignore Me?

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

Who plays the lead character Alice Hollingworth?

Details

The More You Ignore Me Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Чем больше ты меня игнорируешь” and “Nie ignoruj mnie”.

Also known as
  • Чем больше ты меня игнорируешь
  • Nie ignoruj mnie
  • Колкото повече ме избягваш…
  • Čím víc mě přehlížíš
  • 目中已无我
  • 더 모어 유 이그노어 미

Seen The More You Ignore Me?

FAQ

The More You Ignore Me FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The More You Ignore Me, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The More You Ignore Me?

The More You Ignore Me runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The More You Ignore Me released?

The More You Ignore Me was released on April 13, 2018.

Who directed The More You Ignore Me?

The More You Ignore Me was directed by Keith English.

More films by Keith English

Who is in the cast of The More You Ignore Me?

The More You Ignore Me stars Jo Brand as Sandra, Sheridan Smith as Gina Wilson and Ella Hunt as Alice Wilson, among 27 credited actors.

How much did The More You Ignore Me make at the box office?

The More You Ignore Me grossed $212,498 worldwide.

Does The More You Ignore Me have a post-credit scene?

No. The More You Ignore Me has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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