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Mystery thriller

The Sonata (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Sonata (2020) movie poster

The Sonata is a 2020 mystery thriller directed by Andrew Desmond, starring Simon Abkarian as Charles Vernais, Freya Tingley and Rutger Hauer. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
Echo Score
53
Metascore
41
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The Sonata (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Andrew Desmond
Genres
Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Sonata About?

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

Following her father's death, a gifted pianist discovers a complex sonata among his possessions. As she unravels the piece, she uncovers a hidden inheritance and a web of cryptic clues suggesting a dark family secret. The music leads her on a perilous journey, revealing a sinister legacy and an unsettling curse that puts her own life in danger.

The Sonata Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • first person perspective
  • violinist
  • reference to syd barrett
  • inheritance
  • suicide
  • chapel
  • ghost
  • hidden room
  • woods
  • mirror
  • portrait
  • sonata
+3 more
  • co written by director
  • setting oneself on fire
  • death of father
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Cast & crew

The Sonata Cast & Characters

Simon Abkarian leads the cast as Charles Vernais, with Freya Tingley as Rose Fisher and Rutger Hauer as Richard Marlowe. Directed by Andrew Desmond; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Sonata

· 6 more
From the director

More from Andrew Desmond

One more film directed by Andrew Desmond: Galaxy of Horrors.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Sonata Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Sonata 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (35).

53 /100

The Sonata Echo Score Breakdown

The Sonata delivers a compelling visual atmosphere but falters in narrative momentum and character depth. Numerous critics and audience members highlight the effective production design and immersive soundscape, yet they point to a sluggish pacing, a script rife with clichés, and characters that feel underdeveloped. The sensory strengths create tension but seldom translate into meaningful engagement. In net, the film offers moments of genuine intrigue weighed down by uneven execution, resulting in a moderately mixed impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, The Sonata consistently showcases strong production design and meticulous framing. The overcast skies, dimly lit chambers, and foggy forest create a haunting backdrop, and careful camera movement heightens suspense in key moments. While some find the stylistic identity less distinctive than comparable genre classics, the film’s visual approach remains a prominent asset.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances display notable energy but lack deeper development. The lead actress delivers a measured and committed portrayal, yet her character arc remains underexplored and archetypal in form. Supporting roles offer minimal nuance, contributing to a sense of emotional distance. In sum, the performances engage at a surface level without sustaining meaningful resonance.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The story and flow in The Sonata struggle to maintain momentum, often feeling sluggish and disjointed. The premise of a haunted composition shows initial promise, but early pacing issues and contrived plot turns undermine tension. Critics cite numerous clichés and underused narrative potential, leading to confusion by the finale. Overall, the screenplay’s uneven structure hampers sustained engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, The Sonata excels in its auditory and atmospheric elements. The string-driven score delivers tense crescendos, and sound design amplifies every creak and whisper with clarity. Visual contrasts between murky exteriors and shadowy interiors reinforce a brooding mood. These immersive sensory details create an effective spine-tingling ambience that stands out as one of the film’s most compelling facets.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When evaluating rewatch factor, The Sonata shows limited lasting appeal due to its uneven narrative. The strong visual and audio design provides initial interest, but pacing lulls and ambiguous resolutions diminish a desire for subsequent viewings. While some viewers may revisit for the score and atmosphere, the overall experience seldom rewards multiple watches. In summary, the film offers low to modest replay value.

Plot

The Sonata Plot Summary

What happens in The Sonata from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Violin virtuoso Rose Fisher and her agent Charles Vernais are thrown into turmoil when they uncover the tragic truth about Rose’s estranged father: he took his own life by setting himself ablaze. The revelation is even more shocking as they learn that Rose’s father was none other than Richard Marlowe, a once-renowned composer who became an eccentric recluse. Their already strained professional relationship hits a breaking point when Rose chooses to pause her commitments to visit her father’s remote French estate, which now belongs to her.

Full summary

The whole story of The Sonata, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Sonata?

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 the estranged father of Rose Fisher?

Seen The Sonata?

FAQ

The Sonata FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is The Sonata?

The Sonata runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The Sonata released?

The Sonata was released on January 10, 2020.

Who directed The Sonata?

The Sonata was directed by Andrew Desmond.

More films by Andrew Desmond

Who is in the cast of The Sonata?

The Sonata stars Simon Abkarian as Charles Vernais, Freya Tingley as Rose Fisher and Rutger Hauer as Richard Marlowe, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Sonata rated?

The Sonata has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 41 on Metacritic.

Does The Sonata have a post-credit scene?

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

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