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Mystery fantasy film

The Survival of Kindness (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Survival of Kindness (2022) movie poster

The Survival of Kindness is a 2022 mystery fantasy film directed by Rolf de Heer, starring Mwajemi Hussein as BlackWoman, Vinod Nair and Deepthi Sharma. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $41,512 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 60/100.

worldwide gross
$41.5K
Echo Score
60
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The Survival of Kindness (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Rolf de Heer
Genres
Mystery , Fantasy , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Survival of Kindness About?

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

After reason collapses, BlackWoman is left abandoned in a cage on a trailer in the desert, seemingly doomed to die. Defying expectations, she escapes and traverses a world ravaged by pestilence and persecution, moving from desert to mountains and finally to a chaotic city. There, captured again, she must decide whether to seek another escape or confront the uncertain future.

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Cast & crew

The Survival of Kindness Cast & Characters

Mwajemi Hussein leads the cast as BlackWoman, with Vinod Nair as GunMan and Deepthi Sharma as BrownGirl. Directed by Rolf de Heer; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Survival of Kindness

· 15 more
From the director

More from Rolf de Heer

More films directed by Rolf de Heer, best-rated first: Ten Canoes, Charlie's Country, The Tracker and Alexandra's Project.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Survival of Kindness Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

60 /100

The Survival of Kindness Echo Score Breakdown

The Survival of Kindness generates a polarized response, with critics admiring its visual ambition while noting narrative unevenness, and users split between strong appreciation and sharp criticism. Positive remarks emphasize its minimalist aesthetic and haunting portrayal of societal issues, whereas detractors point to a lack of fresh storytelling and perceived offensiveness. This balance of commendation and disapproval yields a middling overall rating that reflects both the film’s artistic merits and its narrative shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, reviewers frequently commend the film’s striking visual composition and disciplined cinematography, describing it as a minimalist marvel and beautiful‑ugly experience. The director's singular vision and innovative production design are highlighted as strengths. While some critics mention occasional rough edges, the prevailing sentiment positions the technical execution in a strong, commendable range.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Regarding character and emotion, opinions are divided. Critics note a compelling Aboriginal protagonist and moments of nuanced performance, yet user feedback cites poor acting and an offensive portrayal of indigenous peoples. The emotional resonance is seen as uneven, with some finding depth while others perceive a lack of authenticity. This mixed feedback places the character aspect in a moderate band.

  • Story & Flow 48

    The story and flow receive a lukewarm assessment. Critics acknowledge the film’s attempt to push narrative boundaries, but many point to a lack of originality and an amorphous, obvious plot that weakens its impact. User comments echo concerns over writing quality and coherence. Consequently, the narrative is viewed as mediocre, neither wholly flawed nor fully successful.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    Sensory experience is generally praised, with reviewers highlighting the film’s gorgeous visual style, immersive sound design, and meditative atmosphere. The vivid depiction of a brutal world beyond language is repeatedly mentioned as a strength. Few criticisms arise in this domain, allowing the sensory score to sit comfortably in the higher range.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is assessed as modest. While some critics find the meditative quality inviting repeat viewings, others deem the film difficult to recommend due to narrative and thematic issues. User ratings are split, with a few high scores contrasted by multiple low ones. This ambivalence results in a lower, but not minimal, rewatch score.

Plot

The Survival of Kindness Plot Summary

What happens in The Survival of Kindness from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 18 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a virus, this experimental and minimalist film almost entirely avoids dialogue. The story takes place in a wasteland where an overclass of white men wearing protective gas masks are the only apparent survivors.

The story follows a protagonist known as BlackWoman, who is captured, caged, and abandoned in a vast desert. After successfully breaking out, she treks barefoot across a landscape littered with corpses, eventually salvaging shoes from the dead. Her journey is perilous; she must avoid scavengers and drifters, including one GunMan who steals her shoes at gunpoint.

Full summary

The whole story of The Survival of Kindness, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Survival of Kindness Box Office

The Survival of Kindness grossed $41,512 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$41.5K

International
$41.5K
Videos

The Survival of Kindness Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Survival of Kindness.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Survival of Kindness?

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 kind of world does The Survival of Kindness take place in?

Seen The Survival of Kindness?

FAQ

The Survival of Kindness FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Survival of Kindness?

The Survival of Kindness runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was The Survival of Kindness released?

The Survival of Kindness was released on October 23, 2022.

Who directed The Survival of Kindness?

The Survival of Kindness was directed by Rolf de Heer.

More films by Rolf de Heer

Who is in the cast of The Survival of Kindness?

The Survival of Kindness stars Mwajemi Hussein as BlackWoman, Vinod Nair as GunMan and Deepthi Sharma as BrownGirl, among 19 credited actors.

How much did The Survival of Kindness make at the box office?

The Survival of Kindness grossed $41,512 worldwide.

Does The Survival of Kindness have a post-credit scene?

No. The Survival of Kindness has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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