The Post (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Post is a 2017 biographical thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Meryl Streep as Kay Graham, Tom Hanks and Alison Brie. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $193.8 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. It earned 14 award nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble at the Critics' Choice 2018. IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Original language
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Chinese
- Budget
- $50M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Post About?
The premise of The Post without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In this gripping drama, Steven Spielberg directs Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in the true story of Katharine Graham, the publisher of The Washington Post. Facing immense pressure, she partners with editor Ben Bradlee to challenge government secrecy and publish the Pentagon Papers. This high-stakes decision puts their careers and the newspaper’s future at risk as they expose decades of concealed information.
The Post Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- washington post
- freedom of speech
- journalism
- new york times
- freedom of the press
- woman owned business
- newspaper
- expose
- u.s. government
- newspaper owner
- newspaper staff
- newspaper office
+38 more Show fewer
- typing
- controversy
- based on true story
- whistleblower
- journalist
- newsroom
- prior restraint
- espionage act
- newspaper story
- newspaper headline
- wartime
- secret
- truth
- lie
- businesswoman
- widow
- lawyer
- newspaper editor
- u.s. supreme court
- top secret document
- reading a newspaper
- employer employee relationship
- delivery boy
- elevator
- board of directors
- demonstration
- protest
- tv news
- deadline
- legal counsel
- reading a note aloud
- printing press
- vietnam war
- publisher
- anonymous source
- vietnam
- pentagon papers
- reporter
The Post Cast & Characters
Meryl Streep leads the cast as Kay Graham, with Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee and Alison Brie as Lally Graham. Directed by Steven Spielberg; 14 actors are credited in all.
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Director Steven Spielberg
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Meryl Streep as Kay Graham -
Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee -
Alison Brie as Lally Graham -
Sarah Paulson as Tony Bradlee
Also Starring in The Post
· 10 more- Matthew Rhys Daniel Ellsberg
- Bruce Greenwood Robert McNamara
- Bradley Whitford Arthur Parsons
- Michael Stuhlbarg
- Bob Odenkirk Ben Bagdikian
- Carrie Coon Meg Greenfield
- David Cross Howard Simons
- Jesse Plemons Roger Clark
- Zach Woods Anthony Essaye
- Tracy Letts Fritz Beebe
More from Steven Spielberg
More films directed by Steven Spielberg, best-rated first: Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, The Fabelmans and Jaws.
The Post Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate The Post 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (73).
The Post Echo Score Breakdown
The Post offers a confidently paced portrayal of a pivotal moment in journalistic history, distinguished by precise direction and powerful performances. Reviews highlight the film’s engaging tension curve and authentic period atmosphere, tempered by occasional pacing choices that feel compressed. While some narrative moments verge on familiar beats, the screenplay’s focus on press freedom and ethical dilemmas resonates strongly. Overall, it stands as a compelling and timely drama with enduring relevance.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 79
In terms of art direction and craft, The Post excels at recreating its 1970s newsroom through meticulous set design and coherent production elements. Spielberg’s direction maintains visual clarity, while the mechanical press sequences convey urgency. Cinematography and editing work in tandem to advance the tension, though a handful of pacing shifts feel abrupt. The overall aesthetic remains cohesive and supportive of the film’s historical context.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character portrayal, the film benefits from understated yet authoritative performances. Meryl Streep imbues Katherine Graham with gradual confidence and emotional depth, while Tom Hanks delivers a measured depiction of journalistic resolve. Supporting players contribute well-tuned chemistry that underscores the narrative stakes. The ensemble’s collective authenticity anchors the human drama at the film’s core, resulting in compelling emotional resonance.
- Story & Flow 78
Story and flow in The Post are anchored by a clear narrative of press freedom and historical consequence. The screenplay sustains gripping tension through legal and political dilemmas, though occasional omissions and a brisk third act can make transitions feel hurried. Despite moments of familiar beats in its structure, the film maintains coherent storytelling and delivers meaningful engagement with its subject matter.
- Sensory Experience 73
In terms of sensory experience, the film’s visual style and period costuming establish a cohesive atmosphere. Sound design underscores newsroom urgency, while the lack of an intrusive score lets dialogue and ambience drive tension. The balanced mix of ambient noise and controlled soundscapes supports the factual tone. Overall, sensory elements work harmoniously to immerse viewers in the historical setting without detracting from the narrative.
- Rewatch Factor 73
When considering rewatch value, The Post offers lasting resonance through its thematic focus on press responsibility and ethical decision-making. Historical authenticity and authentic performances invite renewed appreciation on subsequent viewings. While some pacing choices may feel more apparent on repeat watches, the film’s central conflict and period detail retain their impact. Overall, it maintains sufficient replay appeal for audiences interested in civics and journalistic drama.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Post Plot Summary
What happens in The Post from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In late 1965, during the midst of the Vietnam War, Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) finds himself in Hau Giang Province alongside other soldiers, tasked with monitoring the battle’s progress for his role at the Embassy. One night, while traversing the dark forest, they come under fire from unseen enemy snipers.
On his return flight, Ellsberg converses with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood), sharing insights with the Chief of Staff about the disheartening realities of the war. Despite Ellsberg’s declaration that “nothing has changed,” McNamara grimly notes that this signifies a deteriorating situation. Upon arrival, McNamara misleads the press, asserting that conditions are improving.
Full summary
The whole story of The Post, scene by scene
The Post Box Office & Budget
The Post grossed $193.8 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, 3.9 times what it cost. $81.9 million came from the US and Canada and $111.9 million (58%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$193.8M
3.9× its budget
- US & Canada
- $81.9M
- International
- $111.9M
- Budget
- $50M
The Post Awards & Nominations
The Post earned 14 award nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble at the Critics' Choice 2018. The 14 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2018.
14 nominations2 ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2018 8 nominations- Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
- Nominated Best Actor – Tom Hanks
- Nominated Best Actress – Meryl Streep
- Nominated Best Director – Steven Spielberg
- Nominated Best Editing
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Golden Globes 2018 6 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Tom Hanks
- Nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama – Meryl Streep
- Nominated Best Director – Steven Spielberg
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated Best Original Score – John Williams
The Post Trailers & Videos
10 videos: 1 trailer, 3 teasers, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.
- Teaser The Post | “Uncover the Truth" TV Commercial | 20th Century FOX
- Teaser The Post | “What Would You Do?" TV Commercial | 20th Century FOX
- Teaser “The Untold True Story" TV Commercial
- Clip "Hypothetical Question"
How Well Do You Know The Post?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the role of Kay Graham in 'The Post'?
Cars in The Post
25 cars on screen, including the 1975 Fiat 128 and the 1977 Checker Taxicab.
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1975 Fiat 128 Important role -
1977 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Minor role -
1966 Dodge Coronet Minor role
Seen The Post?
Movies Like The Post
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including All the President's Men, The Independent and Pressure and the Press: The Making of ‘All the President’s Men’.
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All the President's Men 1976 -
The Independent 2022 -
Pressure and the Press: The Making of ‘All the President’s Men’ 1976 -
Nothing But the Truth 2008 -
The Fearmakers 1958 -
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers 2009 -
Snowden 2016 -
Official Secrets 2019 -
Citizenfour 2014 -
Spotlight 2015 -
The Pentagon Papers 2003 -
She Said 2022
The Post FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Post, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Post?
The Post runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was The Post released?
The Post was released on December 22, 2017.
Who directed The Post?
The Post was directed by Steven Spielberg.
More films by Steven Spielberg Who is in the cast of The Post?
The Post stars Meryl Streep as Kay Graham, Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee and Alison Brie as Lally Graham, among 14 credited actors.
How much did The Post make at the box office?
The Post grossed $193.8 million worldwide ($81.9 million domestic, $111.9 million international) on a budget of $50 million.
How is The Post rated?
The Post has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 70% on TMDB and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Was The Post nominated for any awards?
The Post received 14 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does The Post have a post-credit scene?
No. The Post has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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