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Drama thriller

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) movie poster

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a 2021 drama thriller directed by Joel Coen, starring Denzel Washington as Macbeth, Brendan Gleeson and Alex Hassell. It is based on Macbeth by William Shakespeare and Barbara Mowat. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $524,771 worldwide. It was nominated for 3 Oscars. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$524.8K
award nominations
8
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The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Joel Coen
Genres
Drama , History , Thriller , War
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Tragedy of Macbeth About?

The premise of The Tragedy of Macbeth without spoilers, adapted from Macbeth by William Shakespeare and Barbara Mowat. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A ruthless exploration of power and its corrosive effects, Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth" unfolds as a gripping tapestry of violence, paranoia, and descent into darkness.

The Tragedy of Macbeth Themes & Keywords

· 38 tags
  • plot
  • based on play
  • murder
  • death
  • ambition
  • treason
  • period drama
  • tragedy drama
  • scotland
  • horse
  • historical fiction
  • husband wife relationship
+26 more
  • sword
  • sword fight
  • combat
  • hand to hand combat
  • battle
  • witch
  • prophecy
  • conspiracy
  • witchcraft
  • king
  • knight
  • villain as protagonist
  • tyrant
  • shield
  • final showdown
  • duel
  • black man
  • ends with death of main character
  • death of protagonist
  • political drama
  • psychological drama
  • suspense mystery
  • political thriller
  • psychological thriller
  • fictional war
  • shakespeare's macbeth
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Cast & crew

The Tragedy of Macbeth Cast & Characters

Denzel Washington leads the cast as Macbeth, with Brendan Gleeson as Duncan and Alex Hassell as Ross. Directed by Joel Coen; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Tragedy of Macbeth

· 6 more
Ratings

The Tragedy of Macbeth Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Tragedy of Macbeth 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

77 /100

The Tragedy of Macbeth Echo Score Breakdown

The Tragedy of Macbeth garners praise for its stark visual style and disciplined performances, especially the work of Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington. Critics note the film’s disciplined direction and striking black‑and‑white cinematography, while some viewers find the stage‑like staging and minimalist narrative less engaging. The consensus is that the craft outweighs the storytelling limitations, resulting in a solidly positive overall impression.

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 minimalistic production design and monochrome cinematography receive strong commendation. Reviewers highlight the precise lighting, restrained set pieces, and meticulous editing that create a haunting visual palette. Even critics who note a stage‑like feel acknowledge the technical virtuosity, leading to a net impression of exemplary craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, most critics and users applaud the nuanced performances of the lead actors. The cast is described as delivering compelling portrayals that rise to the sparse script’s demands. However, a minority note a lack of emotional depth in certain moments, resulting in a generally positive but not uniformly high assessment.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the adaptation’s stripped‑down script draws mixed reactions. Some appreciate its faithful adherence to Shakespearean verse, while others criticize the pacing and perceived repetitiveness. Critics point to a sparse narrative that can feel abstract, leading to a modest score that reflects both appreciation for fidelity and disappointment in narrative dynamism.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience is widely praised for its stark sound design and striking visual composition. Reviewers emphasize the effective use of shadows, the haunting score, and the overall atmosphere that immerses viewers. Even detractors acknowledge the film’s auditory and visual cohesion, resulting in a strong, above‑average evaluation.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch value appears moderate; many viewers find the film’s aesthetic and performances compelling enough to merit a second look, yet the minimal narrative and stage‑like presentation limit repeat enjoyment for some. The balance of visual intrigue and story austerity yields a middling score reflecting limited but present replay appeal.

Plot

The Tragedy of Macbeth Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Tragedy of Macbeth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Macbeth and Banquo return victorious from battle, having defeated the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. Their success draws the attention of three witches on the battlefield, who greet Macbeth with bizarre prophecies: he is destined to rise from the Thane of Glamis to Thane of Cawdor, ultimately claiming the crown. They also foretell that Banquo will be the ancestor of a line of kings. Following this revelation, King Duncan orders the Thane of Ross to execute Cawdor and bestow the title upon Macbeth.

Full summary

The whole story of The Tragedy of Macbeth, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Tragedy of Macbeth Box Office

The Tragedy of Macbeth grossed $524,771 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$524.8K

International
$524.8K
Awards

The Tragedy of Macbeth Awards & Nominations

The Tragedy of Macbeth was nominated for 3 Oscars. The 8 nominations come from 5 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 2022.

8 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

The Tragedy of Macbeth Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers, 2 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Featurette Joel Coen, Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand & More on The Tragedy of Macbeth | NYFF59
  • Featurette Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand & the Cast of The Tragedy of Macbeth on Their Acting Process
  • Behind the Scenes Making the Film
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Tragedy of Macbeth?

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the Thane of Glamis at the beginning of the film?

Details

The Tragedy of Macbeth Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “맥베스” and “더 트래저디 오브 맥베스”.

Also known as
  • 맥베스
  • 더 트래저디 오브 맥베스
  • 麦克白的悲剧
  • La tragedia de Macbeth
  • Макбет
  • 맥베스의 비극
  • Трагедия Макбета
  • Macbeth tragédiája
  • A Tragédia de Macbeth
  • הטרגדיה של מקבת'
  • Bi Kịch Của Macbeth
  • Tragedia Makbeta
+8 more
  • Трагедія Макбета
  • Η Τραγωδία του Μάκβεθ
  • 馬克白
  • Makbeto tragedija
  • تراژدی مکبث
  • マクベス
  • La tragédie de Macbeth
  • Tragedija Macbeth

Seen The Tragedy of Macbeth?

FAQ

The Tragedy of Macbeth FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Tragedy of Macbeth, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Tragedy of Macbeth?

The Tragedy of Macbeth runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was The Tragedy of Macbeth released?

The Tragedy of Macbeth was released on December 25, 2021.

Who directed The Tragedy of Macbeth?

The Tragedy of Macbeth was directed by Joel Coen.

More films by Joel Coen

Who is in the cast of The Tragedy of Macbeth?

The Tragedy of Macbeth stars Denzel Washington as Macbeth, Brendan Gleeson as Duncan and Alex Hassell as Ross, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Tragedy of Macbeth make at the box office?

The Tragedy of Macbeth grossed $524,771 worldwide.

How is The Tragedy of Macbeth rated?

The Tragedy of Macbeth has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Is The Tragedy of Macbeth based on a book?

Yes. The Tragedy of Macbeth is adapted from Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine.

Was The Tragedy of Macbeth nominated for any awards?

The Tragedy of Macbeth received 8 nominations across 5 ceremonies.

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