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Historical drama

The Movie Teller (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Movie Teller (2023) movie poster

The Movie Teller is a 2023 historical drama directed by Lone Scherfig, starring Bérénice Bejo as María Magnolia, Sara Becker and Alondra Valenzuela. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $338,486 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 86/100.

worldwide gross
$338.5K
Echo Score
86
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The Movie Teller (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Lone Scherfig
Genres
History , Drama
Original language
Spanish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Movie Teller About?

The premise of The Movie Teller without spoilers.

María Margarita is the youngest of four siblings in a mining town in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Each Sunday the family visits the cinema to escape their harsh reality. Her parents notice her uncanny gift: she can recount any movie in vivid detail. As news of her talent spreads, the village’s fortunes change, shaping the country’s future.

The Movie Teller Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • girl
  • 1960s
  • 1970s
  • chile
  • atacama desert
  • money
  • father
  • young
  • poverty
  • mining
  • reference to marilyn monroe
  • reference to john wayne
+38 more
  • poetry
  • saltpeter
  • chilean coup d'etat 1973
  • female protagonist
  • abandoned by mother
  • work accident
  • socialism
  • television
  • three word title
  • 1966
  • radio
  • father daughter relationship
  • man riding a bicycle
  • mother daughter relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • movie theater
  • going to the movies
  • candy
  • school
  • bar
  • throwing a rock
  • homemade wheelchair
  • movie quote
  • bus
  • pawn shop
  • brother brother relationship
  • kiss
  • dead father
  • blood
  • murder
  • implied rape
  • smoking
  • drinking
  • earrings
  • crying
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Cast & crew

The Movie Teller Cast & Characters

Bérénice Bejo leads the cast as María Magnolia, with Sara Becker as María Margarita Mayor and Alondra Valenzuela as María Margarita (8-10). Directed by Lone Scherfig; 56 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Movie Teller

· 52 more
Show all 56 cast members
From the director

More from Lone Scherfig

More films directed by Lone Scherfig, best-rated first: An Education, Italian for Beginners, Their Finest and Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Movie Teller Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (76).

86 /100

The Movie Teller Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Movie Teller presents a heartfelt homage to cinema that resonates through its strong performances and evocative visual style. Critics and users alike commend the film’s moving narrative about a Chilean storyteller and its meticulous direction, while noting occasional tonal unevenness and an unfocused screenplay. The blend of historical context and escapist themes maintains engagement despite structural flaws. Consequently, the film delivers a compelling, if imperfect, viewing experience that rewards multiple watches.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    From a craft perspective, the film excels in its visual composition and direction. Critics highlight the meticulous mise‑en‑scene, subtle production design, and beautifully shot cinematography, while praising the director’s measured pacing. Some reviewers mention an occasional imbalance in tone, yet the overall aesthetic remains polished. Thus, the artistic execution is largely successful.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    In terms of character and emotion, performances are a central strength. Reviewers repeatedly note luminous portrayals by the young leads and supporting cast, describing the acting as nuanced and emotionally resonant. The chemistry between actors reinforces the narrative’s intimacy, and users echo this with praise for the captivating ensemble. Overall, character work stands out as a high point.

  • Story & Flow 76

    The film’s story intertwines personal growth with a broader sociopolitical backdrop. Many critics commend its moving, engaging plot and the effective love‑letter to storytelling, while users appreciate the layered narrative about escapism. However, some point to an unfocused screenplay and tonal unevenness that diminish pacing. Consequently, the narrative is compelling yet occasionally uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    Sensory experience receives commendation for its evocative soundtrack and visual palette. Critics describe the cinematography as beautifully shot and the music as enhancing the film’s nostalgic tone. The sound design supports the cinematic homage without overwhelming the narrative. While a few note occasional tonal shifts, the overall sensory presentation remains cohesive and immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 84

    Rewatch value is bolstered by the film’s heartfelt themes and strong performances. Reviewers suggest that its nostalgic celebration of cinema and nuanced storytelling invite repeated viewings, and users describe it as captivating and worth revisiting. Though structural imperfections exist, the emotional resonance and visual charm sustain lasting appeal, making the film rewarding on subsequent watches.

Box office

The Movie Teller Box Office

The Movie Teller grossed $338,486 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$338.5K

International
$338.5K
Videos

The Movie Teller Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

TRÁILER - LA CONTADORA DE PELÍCULAS
  • Trailer Official Trailer

Seen The Movie Teller?

FAQ

The Movie Teller FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Movie Teller, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Movie Teller?

The Movie Teller runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was The Movie Teller released?

The Movie Teller was released on September 11, 2023.

Who directed The Movie Teller?

The Movie Teller was directed by Lone Scherfig.

More films by Lone Scherfig

Who is in the cast of The Movie Teller?

The Movie Teller stars Bérénice Bejo as María Magnolia, Sara Becker as María Margarita Mayor and Alondra Valenzuela as María Margarita (8-10), among 56 credited actors.

How much did The Movie Teller make at the box office?

The Movie Teller grossed $338,486 worldwide.

Does The Movie Teller have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is The Movie Teller in?

The original language of The Movie Teller is Spanish.

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