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Romantic drama

The Nest (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Nest (2020) movie poster

The Nest is a 2020 romantic drama directed by T. Sean Durkin, starring Jude Law as Rory O'Hara, Carrie Coon and Wendy Crewson. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $2.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$2.1M
Echo Score
68
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The Nest (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
T. Sean Durkin
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Nest About?

The premise of The Nest without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1980s England, Rory, a former broker, persuades his American wife, Allison, to leave their suburban life for a historic manor house. Hoping to revive his career, Rory reconnects with former business associates, but his ambition puts a strain on his marriage. As the manor reveals its secrets and falls into disrepair, the couple’s carefully constructed life begins to unravel, exposing hidden tensions and ultimately challenging the stability of their family.

The Nest Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1980s
  • husband wife relationship
  • new home
  • horse
  • london england
  • money
  • entrepreneur
  • marriage
  • soccer ball
  • nickname
  • f word
  • female topless nudity
+38 more
  • female star appears topless
  • partial rear female nudity
  • cigarette smoking
  • female nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • new york city
  • husband wife sex
  • underage drinking
  • equestrienne
  • dead horse
  • hidden money
  • englishman abroad
  • englishman in america
  • englishman in new york
  • family breakfast
  • moving in
  • party
  • graffiti
  • vandalism
  • coup de grace
  • brother sister relationship
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • teenage boy
  • teenage girl
  • family relationships
  • mother daughter relationship
  • step father step daughter relationship
  • financial problems
  • pretending to be rich
  • country manor
  • lie
  • distrust
  • soccer
  • name calling
  • stable
  • burying a dead horse
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Cast & crew

The Nest Cast & Characters

Jude Law leads the cast as Rory O'Hara, with Carrie Coon as Allison O'Hara and Wendy Crewson as Allison's Mum. Directed by T. Sean Durkin; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from T. Sean Durkin

One more film directed by T. Sean Durkin: Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Nest Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Nest 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

68 /100

The Nest Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall execution, The Nest presents an elegantly crafted yet deliberately paced drama that elicits both admiration and impatience. Critics highlight its precise direction, atmospheric tension, and compelling performances, while many viewers note the slow-moving plot and unresolved threads. The assembly of production elements creates a cohesive but lingering mood that may not satisfy those expecting conventional narrative escalation. As a result, The Nest leaves a mixed impression, blending refined artistry with a measured rhythm that resonates unevenly across audiences.

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 art and craft, The Nest excels in its measured visual composition and disciplined framing. The direction displays an understated color palette and deliberate shot choices that reinforce the film’s tension. Critics point to the precise editing and production design as integral to the unsettling tone. Ultimately, the film’s craftsmanlike execution underscores its elegant restraint.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Nest benefits from nuanced performances that convey simmering tensions within a family dynamic. The casting has been noted as impeccable, and the interactions between leads deliver consistent emotional resonance. Despite some viewers finding limited character development, most responses praise the depth of portrayal. The film’s characters remain compelling despite narrative restraint.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, The Nest unfolds as a slow-burning exploration of deception and ambition. The narrative progression emphasizes gradual unraveling, though some viewers report an absence of conventional dramatic peaks and unsatisfying resolution. Critics appreciate the film’s patient pacing and thematic cohesion, while others yearn for more definitive closure. Consequently, the story maintains engagement at a deliberate, if uneven, rhythm.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, The Nest offers an evocative soundscape and cohesive visual style. The score’s eerie motifs complement select ’80s tracks, contributing to a subtle yet haunting atmosphere. Sound design elements underscore moments of isolation, and the cinematography reinforces the film’s atmospheric tension. Overall, the sensory components create an immersive, if restrained, aural and visual environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    In terms of rewatch value, The Nest presents a thoughtful atmosphere but offers limited replay incentive. The film’s ambiance and performances may reveal additional layers upon subsequent viewings, though the deliberate pacing and unresolved plot points could deter repeat engagement. Viewers who appreciate nuanced character work may revisit the film, but its measured rhythm reduces broader rewatch appeal.

Plot

The Nest Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Nest from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Stressed by a crumbling marriage and battling alcohol issues, Dr. Ben Cahill finds himself paralyzed by pressure in the emergency room. Following a severe breakdown, his superior mandates a break, prompting him to retreat to Orr Island, a serene fishing community off the coast of Maine, where he and his ex-spouse once bought a home.

Full summary

The whole story of The Nest, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Nest Box Office

The Nest grossed $2.1 million worldwide. $137,886 came from the US and Canada and $2 million (94%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.1M

US & Canada
$137.9K
International
$2M
US & Canada 6% Rest of the world 94%
Videos

The Nest Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Teaser
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser UK Promo
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Nest?

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 medical profession does Dr. Ben Cahill practice?

Cars

Cars in The Nest

11 cars on screen, including the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL W126 and the Jeep Wagoneer.

All 11 cars
  • 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL W126 in The Nest 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL W126 Important role
  • Jeep Wagoneer in The Nest Jeep Wagoneer Minor role
  • LTI Fairway in The Nest LTI Fairway Minor role
  • Massey Ferguson unknown in The Nest Massey Ferguson unknown Minor role
Details

The Nest Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “上流假丈” and “Life of Deception”.

Also known as
  • 上流假丈
  • Life of Deception
  • 더 네스트
  • Гнездо
  • 秘密窝点
  • Leur nid
  • Гніздо
  • O Refúgio
  • El Refugio
  • Η Φωλιά
  • 金窩駭浪
  • 위험한 동거
+17 more
  • Gniazdo
  • Klietka
  • O Ninho
  • Klícka
  • הקן
  • The Nest - Alles zu haben ist nie genug
  • The Nest - L'inganno
  • Yuva
  • کاشانه
  • A fészek
  • العُش
  • Власт и пари
  • Lizdas
  • Cuibul
  • Tổ Ấm
  • 不都合な理想の夫婦
  • Pesa

Seen The Nest?

FAQ

The Nest FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Nest?

The Nest runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Nest released?

The Nest was released on September 18, 2020.

Who directed The Nest?

The Nest was directed by T. Sean Durkin.

More films by T. Sean Durkin

Who is in the cast of The Nest?

The Nest stars Jude Law as Rory O'Hara, Carrie Coon as Allison O'Hara and Wendy Crewson as Allison's Mum, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Nest make at the box office?

The Nest grossed $2.1 million worldwide ($137,886 domestic, $2 million international).

How is The Nest rated?

The Nest has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does The Nest have a post-credit scene?

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

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