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Animated documentary

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024): Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024) movie poster

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a 2024 animated documentary directed by Benjamin Ree. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 78 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$1.3M
Echo Score
89
Metascore
78
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The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Benjamin Ree
Original language
Norwegian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Remarkable Life of Ibelin About?

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

After the sudden death of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen from a degenerative muscular disease at age 25, his parents discovered he had a vibrant community of online friends. They were surprised to learn of the connections he had made around the world, revealing a life far from the isolated existence they had assumed.

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Crew

The Director of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

Directed by Benjamin Ree.

From the director

More from Benjamin Ree

More films directed by Benjamin Ree, best-rated first: The Painter and the Thief and Magnus.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Remarkable Life of Ibelin 78 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

89 /100

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Echo Score Breakdown

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin stands out for its deeply affecting emotional portrait grounded in thoughtful direction and design. Multiple critics highlight its subtle yet striking visual approach and its capacity to elicit genuine emotional responses. The narrative maintains a measured pacing that balances personal interviews, original animations, and archival footage to sustain engagement. Overall, the documentary leaves a resonant impression through its cohesive synthesis of form and feeling.

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 film’s direction and editing are polished and purposeful. Its use of archival footage, family home videos, and original animations is integrated with precision, creating a cohesive visual tapestry. The measured editing accentuates emotional beats without imposing artificial drama. This careful construction of visual elements reinforces the documentary’s emotional resonance.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers a nuanced portrait of its central figure that fosters authentic empathy. The interviews and candid reflections convey depth, while the alternation between conversation and intimate narration builds genuine emotional connection. The portrayal of interpersonal bonds, even with unseen online friends, underscores the humanistic core of the story. This dimension resonates throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 88

    In story and flow, the documentary presents a coherent narrative that traces the subject’s journey with clarity. It balances origin story, personal struggles, and online interactions through a measured pacing that sustains engagement. The integration of gaming sequences with personal testimony adds originality without disrupting momentum. As a result, the narrative feels both inspiring and structurally sound from beginning to end.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding sensory experience, the film employs a restrained sonic design and complementary soundtrack. The original score is subtle, allowing voices and ambient game sounds to carry immersive weight. Visually, the interplay of subdued interviews, digital animations, and archival clips creates a unified aesthetic. These elements form a cohesive sensory atmosphere that supports rather than overwhelms the content.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    With respect to rewatch factor, the film’s emotional impact and thematic richness encourage multiple viewings, though its documentary form may limit casual repeat appeal. The layers of personal testimony and animation offer fresh insights on subsequent viewings, particularly in how visual and narrative elements interlock. While its intense emotional tone may not suit all viewing occasions, its lasting resonance rewards those who revisit it.

Plot

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Remarkable Life of Ibelin 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story follows the life of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian man born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As the disease progresses, Mats finds himself increasingly isolated, becoming physically unable to participate in the basic activities of everyday life. To cope with his limitations and the shrinking boundaries of his physical world, he turns to the digital realm, spending the vast majority of his time immersed in video games—most notably, World of Warcraft. While his parents watch with growing concern, fearing that their son is missing out on the essential experiences of life, they remain largely unaware of the complex social world and meaningful connections he is building within the game.

Full summary

The whole story of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Box Office

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3M

International
$1.3M
Videos

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Meet the Artist 2024: Benjamin Ree on "Ibelin"
  • Featurette ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’ with Benjamin Ree | Academy Conversations
  • Behind the Scenes Behind The Scenes
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Remarkable Life of Ibelin?

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

Which massively multiplayer online game did Mats spend most of his time in?

Details

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “伊貝林:在魔幻世界登入人生” and “이벨린의 비범한 인생”.

Also known as
  • 伊貝林:在魔幻世界登入人生
  • 이벨린의 비범한 인생
  • La vita straordinaria di Ibelin
  • Ibelin'in Olağanüstü Hayatı
  • A Extraordinária Vida de Ibelin
  • La vie remarquable d'Ibelin
  • Ibelinov nevjerojatni život
  • Pozoruhodný život Ibelinův
  • Ibelins enestående liv
  • Ibelin : La vie remarquable d'un gamer
  • Ibelinin ihmeellinen elämä
  • Das fantastische Leben des Ibelin
+14 more
  • Η Ξεχωριστή Ζωή του Ίμπελιν
  • Ibelin rendkívüli élete
  • החיים המדהימים של איבלין
  • イベリン: 彼が生きた証
  • La singular vida de Ibelin
  • Wyjątkowe życie Ibelina
  • Remarcabila viață a lui Ibelin
  • 伊贝林的非凡人生
  • Ibelins enastående liv
  • อีเบลิน: สุดยอดชีวิตเกมเมอร์
  • Неймовірне життя Ібеліна
  • Ibelin: невероятная жизнь геймера
  • إيبلين: حياة رائعة
  • Cuộc đời phi thường của Ibelin

Seen The Remarkable Life of Ibelin?

FAQ

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin FAQ: Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Remarkable Life of Ibelin?

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was The Remarkable Life of Ibelin released?

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin was released on October 25, 2024.

Who directed The Remarkable Life of Ibelin?

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin was directed by Benjamin Ree.

More films by Benjamin Ree

How much did The Remarkable Life of Ibelin make at the box office?

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

How is The Remarkable Life of Ibelin rated?

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has 78 on Metacritic and 81% on TMDB.

Does The Remarkable Life of Ibelin have a post-credit scene?

No. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Remarkable Life of Ibelin in?

The original language of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is Norwegian.

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