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Comedy drama

The Other Side of the Wind (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Other Side of the Wind (2018) movie poster

The Other Side of the Wind is a 2018 comedy drama starring John Huston as Jake Hannaford, Norman Foster and Oja Kodar. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $20,062 worldwide on a $12 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$20.1K
award nomination
1
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The Other Side of the Wind (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$12M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Other Side of the Wind About?

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

After years spent abroad, a visionary filmmaker returns to Hollywood to finish his most challenging and experimental work. "The Other Side of the Wind" is a film-within-a-film, chronicling a night of revelry and the filmmaker's provocative commentary on the industry and American culture. The project pushes cinematic boundaries and questions established norms, offering a unique and unconventional viewing experience.

The Other Side of the Wind Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • film business
  • nudity
  • female nudity
  • ice cube
  • drive in theater
  • birthday party
  • media
  • dummy
  • film within a film
  • native american woman
  • film screening
  • ranch
+38 more
  • journalist
  • aging actress
  • sex scene
  • projectionist
  • documentary filmmaker
  • baron
  • film director
  • hollywood
  • comeback
  • gay character
  • cinema
  • female frontal nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • doll
  • sports car
  • unfinished film
  • male rear nudity
  • opening narration
  • voice over narration
  • 70th birthday
  • steam bath
  • film set
  • driving a car
  • motorcycle
  • bus
  • interview
  • misogyny
  • close up of eye
  • sex in a restroom stall
  • sex in moving car
  • undressing
  • nude woman
  • nude man
  • nightclub
  • power outage
  • last day of life
  • bedframe
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Cast & crew

The Other Side of the Wind Cast & Characters

John Huston leads the cast as Jake Hannaford, with Norman Foster as Billy Boyle and Oja Kodar as The Actress.

Also Starring in The Other Side of the Wind

· 4 more
Ratings

The Other Side of the Wind Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Other Side of the Wind 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (50).

77 /100

The Other Side of the Wind Echo Score Breakdown

The Other Side of the Wind pairs audacious stylistic ambition with uneven narrative cohesion. Critics and viewers alike commend its striking visual sequences and inventive editing choices, while noting that its pacing and genre clarity can feel disjointed. The film’s meta-commentary on art and legacy earns admiration for its originality, though plot coherence sometimes falters. Ultimately, it delivers a thought-provoking, if occasionally fragmented, cinematic experience that leaves a memorable, if imperfect, impression.

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 film showcases bold visual composition and inventive editing throughout. Reviewers highlight its dazzling sequences, striking production design, and dynamic camera work that recall Welles’s adventurous style. While some moments verge on chaotic excess, the overall direction and cinematography demonstrate a confident, purposeful approach. The film’s craft yields an engaging visual tapestry that sustains interest despite structural irregularities.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from committed performances by Welles’s longtime collaborators. Observers praise Paul Stewart and Mercedes McCambridge for grounding the material, even as other roles occasionally feel underexplored. Emotional resonance emerges sporadically in the film’s satirical tone, but depth varies across the ensemble. Overall, the acting maintains interest, delivering moments of genuine engagement amid inconsistent character development.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative often struggles with coherence and pacing. Many accounts describe the film as disjointed and slow to sustain momentum, while others appreciate its meta-dramatic originality. The plot’s satirical framework introduces engaging thematic layers but can feel fragmented as it shifts between multiple stylistic registers. In sum, the story displays creative ambition but does not consistently hold attention or deliver smooth narrative progression.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In sensory terms, the film excels with an immersive soundscape and vivid visual style. Audiences and critics alike note its stunning imagery, wild editing rhythms, and effective use of music and sound design. The film’s eclectic audiovisual flourishes create a bracing, almost documentary-like texture, amplifying its thematic edge. While occasionally overwhelming, the sensory richness stands out as one of the film’s most compelling attributes.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    On rewatch factor, the film demonstrates lasting appeal and potential for deeper appreciation. Commentators report multiple viewings reveal new insights, and debates over its themes persist. Its layered structure and meta-narrative invite audiences to revisit key scenes, uncovering nuances in performance and visual detail. Ultimately, the film rewards repeat engagement, growing in intrigue as viewers explore its complex ideas and unconventional storytelling.

Plot

The Other Side of the Wind Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Other Side of the Wind 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

Set in the early 1970s, the narrative unfolds on the final day of Jake Hannaford, portrayed by John Huston, an elderly Hollywood director whose life ends tragically in a car crash on his 70th birthday. The story is narrated by Brooks Otterlake, a former protégé, who recounts Hannaford’s last attempts to revitalize his dwindling career through an experimental film, rich in sexual content and violence, but which has failed to gain traction. This film, aptly titled The Other Side of the Wind, remains incomplete after its star unexpectedly storms off the set, leaving audiences in suspense regarding the cause.

Full summary

The whole story of The Other Side of the Wind, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Other Side of the Wind Box Office & Budget

The Other Side of the Wind grossed $20,062 worldwide on a $12 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$20.1K

International
$20.1K
Budget
$12M
Awards

The Other Side of the Wind Awards & Nominations

The Other Side of the Wind earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Other Side of the Wind Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

The Other Side of the Wind | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
  • Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Other Side of the Wind?

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 significant life event marks the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Other Side of the Wind

36 cars on screen, including the 1970 Ford XL and the 1967 Ford Mustang.

All 36 cars
  • 1970 Ford XL in The Other Side of the Wind 1970 Ford XL Main role
  • 1967 Ford Mustang in The Other Side of the Wind 1967 Ford Mustang Important role
  • International Harvester Loadstar in The Other Side of the Wind International Harvester Loadstar Important role
  • 1974 Porsche 911 Targa in The Other Side of the Wind 1974 Porsche 911 Targa Important role
Details

The Other Side of the Wind Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Al otro lado del viento” and “L'altra faccia del vento”.

Also known as
  • Al otro lado del viento
  • L'altra faccia del vento
  • La otra cara del viento
  • Другая сторона ветра
  • 바람의 저편
  • De l'autre côté du vent
  • Другата страна на вятъра
  • Druga strona wiatru
  • Η Άλλη Πλευρά του Ανέμου
  • O Outro Lado do Vento
  • 风的另一边
  • 風的另一頭
+3 more
  • הצד האחר של הרוח
  • A szél másik oldala
  • อีกฟากฝั่งของสายลม

Seen The Other Side of the Wind?

FAQ

The Other Side of the Wind FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Other Side of the Wind, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Other Side of the Wind?

The Other Side of the Wind runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was The Other Side of the Wind released?

The Other Side of the Wind was released on November 2, 2018.

Who is in the cast of The Other Side of the Wind?

The Other Side of the Wind stars John Huston as Jake Hannaford, Norman Foster as Billy Boyle and Oja Kodar as The Actress, among 8 credited actors.

How much did The Other Side of the Wind make at the box office?

The Other Side of the Wind grossed $20,062 worldwide on a budget of $12 million.

How is The Other Side of the Wind rated?

The Other Side of the Wind has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Was The Other Side of the Wind nominated for any awards?

The Other Side of the Wind received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Other Side of the Wind have a post-credit scene?

No. The Other Side of the Wind has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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