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Adventure drama

The Ornithologist (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Ornithologist (2017) movie poster

The Ornithologist is a 2017 adventure drama starring Paul Hamy, João Pedro Rodrigues and Chan Suan. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $74,714 worldwide on a $1.3 million budget. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$74.7K
Echo Score
78
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The Ornithologist (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Genres
Adventure , Drama , Mystery
Original language
Portuguese
Budget
$1.3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Ornithologist About?

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

During a dangerous expedition, an ornithologist’s boat capsizes, forcing him to rely on the kindness of enigmatic Chinese travelers. He embarks on a challenging journey of survival, facing harsh conditions and difficult choices. The experience tests his physical and mental limits, leading him to question his understanding of life and the world around him.

The Ornithologist Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
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  • male full frontal nudity
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+38 more
  • homoeroticism
  • male bondage
  • gay sex
  • male male kiss
  • urinating on someone
  • urination
  • ornithologist
  • bird
  • saint anthony of padua
  • backpack
  • leg brace
  • wading in water
  • artificial respiration
  • coughing up water
  • escape
  • captive
  • rope
  • mask
  • herding dog
  • sunbathing
  • kiss
  • sweatshirt
  • fight
  • burning one's fingertips
  • rifle
  • handsome gay character
  • gay erotica
  • homoerotic
  • gay protagonist
  • swimming
  • stabbed with a knife
  • knife
  • horse
  • blood
  • goat
  • dog
  • tied up to a tree
  • tied up
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Cast & crew

The Ornithologist Cast

Paul Hamy leads the cast, with João Pedro Rodrigues and Chan Suan.

Ratings

The Ornithologist Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Ornithologist 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in character & emotion (50).

78 /100

The Ornithologist Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, The Ornithologist impresses with its striking visual and formal ambition, though its opaque narrative limits its accessibility. Critics frequently commend the film’s hypnotic framing and its willingness to embrace radical dramatic shifts, while user responses note the slow pacing and occasional narrative opacity. The combination of surreal imagery and deliberate pacing creates a polarizing experience. Ultimately, this film offers a distinctive and contemplative journey that rewards viewers open to its enigmatic approach.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, The Ornithologist excels in its deliberate visual composition and textured production design. Critics highlight the steady camera work and sun-dappled framing that evoke an expressionist naturalism, while user responses recognize the beautiful photography and evocative locations. The measured editing supports the film’s deliberate pace and enhances its immersive quality. Overall, the visual craftsmanship remains a defining strength.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character development, The Ornithologist provides minimal emotional engagement and underdeveloped performances. Critics rarely comment on the acting or character interactions, suggesting an emphasis on formal experiment over emotional depth. User reactions note that the acting styles feel uneven and fail to foster empathy. As a result, the character work often feels less engaging.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, The Ornithologist delivers an unconventional and often opaque narrative that divides viewers. Critics appreciate its willingness to embrace radical formal mutations and unpredictable developments, praising its intriguing originality. In contrast, user reviews describe the pacing as ponderous and the plot as occasionally incomprehensible. Consequently, the storytelling remains provocative but may alienate some audiences.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to the sensory experience, The Ornithologist offers a richly textured soundscape and cohesive visual style. Critics note the film’s sun-dappled visuals and expressive use of natural sounds, enhancing its lucid naturalism. Users similarly praise the stunning photography and ambient sound. Together, the visual and auditory elements create an immersive and cohesive sensory palette.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, The Ornithologist proves to be a divisive prospect for subsequent viewings. Critics suggest that its enigmatic structure and symbolic details reward patient audiences who revisit its sequences. User feedback is split, with some finding the deliberate pacing meditative and others citing its opacity as a deterrent. Overall, its rewatch appeal remains conditional.

Plot

The Ornithologist Plot Summary

What happens in The Ornithologist from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Fernando embarks on a serene camping trip along a riverbank in Portugal, immersing himself in birdwatching from his yellow kayak. However, his keen focus on observing the avian life leads to an unexpected mishap when his kayak is swept into treacherous rapids, resulting in a dramatic capsize.

Full summary

The whole story of The Ornithologist, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Ornithologist Box Office & Budget

The Ornithologist grossed $74,714 worldwide on a $1.3 million budget, 6% of what it cost. $50,511 came from the US and Canada and $24,203 (32%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$74.7K

6% of its budget back

US & Canada
$50.5K
International
$24.2K
Budget
$1.3M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

The Ornithologist Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Ornithologist.

The Ornithologist - Official Trailer HD - Edited for Content
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Ornithologist?

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 activity is Fernando primarily engaged in at the start of the film?

Details

The Ornithologist Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “鳥類学者” and “L'ornithologue”.

Also known as
  • 鳥類学者
  • L'ornithologue
  • Der Ornithologe
  • 鳥人秘境
  • El ornitólogo
  • Az ornitológus
  • 鸟类学家
  • O Ornitólogo
  • Орнитолог
  • Орнитологът
  • 조류학자의 은밀한 모험
  • عالِم الطيور

Seen The Ornithologist?

FAQ

The Ornithologist FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Ornithologist?

The Ornithologist runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was The Ornithologist released?

The Ornithologist was released on June 23, 2017.

Who is in the cast of The Ornithologist?

The Ornithologist stars Paul Hamy, João Pedro Rodrigues and Chan Suan, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Ornithologist make at the box office?

The Ornithologist grossed $74,714 worldwide ($50,511 domestic, $24,203 international) on a budget of $1.3 million.

How is The Ornithologist rated?

The Ornithologist has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does The Ornithologist have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is The Ornithologist in?

The original language of The Ornithologist is Portuguese.

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