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Comedy drama

The Party (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Party (2018) movie poster

The Party is a 2018 comedy drama directed by Sally Potter, starring Kristin Scott Thomas as Janet, Timothy Spall and Patricia Clarkson. It runs 1 hour 11 minutes and earned $5.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$5.6M
Echo Score
77
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The Party (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 11m (71 min)
Director
Sally Potter
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Party About?

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

Janet throws a party to celebrate her husband’s political victory, transforming their London home into a gathering place for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly unravels when Bill makes a surprising announcement, triggering a series of uncomfortable truths and long-held secrets to surface among the guests. As hidden agendas and desires are revealed, the sophisticated soiree descends into chaos, threatening to shatter the carefully constructed facade of their lives.

The Party Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • terminal illness
  • infidelity
  • extramarital affair
  • vinyl record
  • record player
  • turntable
  • vomiting into a bathtub
  • pointing a gun at the camera
  • throwing away a gun
  • minimal cast
  • lavatory
  • drug use
+38 more
  • gun
  • dying
  • garbage can
  • lesbian
  • punched in the face
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • friend
  • health ministry
  • apartment
  • awkward situation
  • secret
  • liaison
  • smartphone
  • pregnancy
  • insult
  • nervous wreck
  • shot in real time
  • dysfunctional relationship
  • female politician
  • cuckolded husband
  • cpr
  • backyard garden
  • hiding a gun
  • knocking on a door
  • woman slaps a man
  • medical prognosis
  • vomiting in a toilet
  • celebration
  • politician
  • party
  • toilet
  • slapped in the face
  • bathtub
  • written by director
  • title directed by female
  • soiree
  • evening
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Cast & crew

The Party Cast & Characters

Kristin Scott Thomas leads the cast as Janet, with Timothy Spall as Bill and Patricia Clarkson as April. Directed by Sally Potter; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Party

· 3 more
From the director

More from Sally Potter

More films directed by Sally Potter, best-rated first: Orlando, The Tango Lesson, Ginger & Rosa and Yes.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Party Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Party 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (68).

77 /100

The Party Echo Score Breakdown

The Party succeeds as a tightly crafted ensemble piece, anchored by precise performances and a distinctive visual style. Multiple critics and viewers highlight the film’s black-and-white cinematography and strategic single-location staging, which intensify the interpersonal tensions at play. The brisk pacing and sharp script deliver wit and unpredictability, though some note that the sparse narrative can feel occasionally hollow. On balance, the film’s focused execution and vivid atmosphere make for a memorable viewing experience.

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 & Craft, the film’s black-and-white cinematography and single-room staging earn consistent praise. Critics applaud the glossy, high-contrast visuals that underline the claustrophobic atmosphere, and users note the direction’s clever economy in a confined space. While a few viewers describe the monochrome palette as overly pretentious, the overall production design and measured editing create a cohesive visual identity that reinforces the film’s tense tone.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    In terms of Character & Emotion, the ensemble cast delivers consistently nuanced and dynamic performances. Multiple reviewers highlight strong chemistry and precisely timed dialogue that expose each guest’s anxieties. A minority of viewers find some interactions too heightened or hollow, but the overall commitment to character-driven conflict results in emotional resonance. The interplay among actors provides the film’s primary source of dramatic engagement.

  • Story & Flow 68

    When it comes to Story & Flow, the film’s concise script and brisk pace receive consistent commendation. Many praise the original comedy-of-manners structure and sudden tonal shifts that sustain engagement, while some viewers note a sparse narrative and occasional lags in momentum. The 71-minute runtime mitigates extended lulls, and the focused dialogue-driven approach maintains tension. Overall, the story framework supports both wit and dramatic undercurrents.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film’s visual style commands attention through its polished black-and-white imagery. Viewers and critics alike remark on the stark visual contrasts that heighten the thematic tension. The soundtrack and ambient sound design remain understated, serving the dialogue-focused format without drawing undue notice. This restrained audio-visual combination yields a cohesive sensory impression that reinforces the film’s intimate atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When evaluating Rewatch Factor, responses indicate moderate replay appeal rooted in character dynamics and sharp dialogue. Several users report planning a second viewing to catch subtle thematic details, and the tight 71-minute structure encourages repeat watches. Some find the sparse plot less conducive to multiple viewings, but the film’s wit and concentrated staging sustain interest on subsequent engagements. Overall, there is a solid incentive to revisit the film.

Plot

The Party Plot Summary

What happens in The Party 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

The film opens with a tense scene featuring a woman, visibly stressed with disheveled hair, as she aims a gun at the audience, leaving us uncertain about her intentions. This shocking moment quickly fades to black, paving the way for the film’s title and opening credits.

Full summary

The whole story of The Party, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Party Box Office

The Party grossed $5.6 million worldwide. $749,827 came from the US and Canada and $4.8 million (87%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.6M

US & Canada
$749.8K
International
$4.8M
US & Canada 13% Rest of the world 87%
Videos

The Party Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 3 featurettes.

All 7 videos
The Party | Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer THE PARTY | Official Trailer | In Theaters February 16
  • Teaser The Party | In Cinemas Friday 13 October
  • Clip THE PARTY | Hand-picked by MUBI
  • Featurette Flick's Flicks Extra | The Party
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Party?

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

Who is celebrating a promotion at the party?

Cars

Cars in The Party

28 cars on screen, including the 1959 Rolls-Royce Phantom V and the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox.

All 28 cars
  • 1959 Rolls-Royce Phantom V in The Party 1959 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Main role
  • 2016 Chevrolet Equinox in The Party 2016 Chevrolet Equinox Important role
  • Honda CR 250 R in The Party Honda CR 250 R Important role
  • 2006 Kawasaki KX 450 F in The Party 2006 Kawasaki KX 450 F Important role
Details

The Party Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “더 파티” and “Купонът”.

Also known as
  • 더 파티
  • Купонът
  • Parti
  • サリー・ポッターの パーティー
  • Ha'messiba
  • Το πάρτι
  • 酒会
  • Вечеринка
  • Вечірка
  • A vendégek
  • המסיבה
  • A Festa

Seen The Party?

FAQ

The Party FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Party?

The Party runs 1 hour 11 minutes (71 minutes).

When was The Party released?

The Party was released on February 16, 2018.

Who directed The Party?

The Party was directed by Sally Potter.

More films by Sally Potter

Who is in the cast of The Party?

The Party stars Kristin Scott Thomas as Janet, Timothy Spall as Bill and Patricia Clarkson as April, among 7 credited actors.

How much did The Party make at the box office?

The Party grossed $5.6 million worldwide ($749,827 domestic, $4.8 million international).

How is The Party rated?

The Party has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does The Party have a post-credit scene?

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

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