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The Twentieth Century (2019): Cast & Ratings

The Twentieth Century (2019) movie poster

The Twentieth Century is a 2019 comedy directed by Matthew Rankin, starring Dan Beirne as Mackenzie King, Seán Cullen and Martin Dubreuil. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Its Echo Score is 82/100.

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The Twentieth Century (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Matthew Rankin
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Twentieth Century About?

The premise of The Twentieth Century without spoilers.

In 1899 Toronto, William Lyon Mackenzie King is driven by an unwavering ambition to become Prime Minister. To achieve his goal, he must confront his personal demons and navigate a challenging journey filled with obstacles and intense struggles. The story explores the fiery passions and difficult trials that shape his ascent to power.

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Cast & crew

The Twentieth Century Cast & Characters

Dan Beirne leads the cast as Mackenzie King, with Seán Cullen as Lord Muto and Martin Dubreuil as John Christian Schultz. Directed by Matthew Rankin; 29 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Twentieth Century

· 25 more
Show all 29 cast members
Ratings

The Twentieth Century Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (63).

82 /100

The Twentieth Century Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film presents a bold, stylized satire that leans heavily on visual invention and absurdist humor. Critics highlight its expressionist production design and inventive set pieces, while noting that the narrative can be deliberately chaotic and historically opaque. Audience responses echo this duality, praising the unique tone but pointing to occasional confusion. The combined effect is a memorable, if uneven, cinematic experience that rewards viewers attuned to its manic aesthetic.

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

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels through its extravagant production design and striking visual composition. Reviewers repeatedly commend the German‑expressionist sets, hallucinatory color palettes, and meticulous framing that evoke a surreal historical tableau. Directional choices favor bold stylization over realism, reinforcing the film’s satirical intent. Consequently, the artistic execution stands out as a primary strength.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film offers a deliberately caricatured portrayal rather than nuanced performances. Critics note the deadpan comic timing and absurd personalities, which serve the satire but limit emotional depth. Audience feedback reflects a similar view, finding the humor engaging while feeling the characters remain secondary to visual spectacle. Overall, character work is serviceable but not a focal achievement.

  • Story & Flow 63

    The story and flow hinge on an intentionally disjointed, absurd plot that lampoons historical events. Reviewers applaud the originality and daring structure, yet acknowledge that narrative coherence suffers, leading to occasional bewilderment. User comments echo this tension, describing the film as both captivating and confusing. Thus, the storytelling is inventive but uneven in sustaining engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    Sensory experience is a dominant asset, with an eclectic soundtrack, bold sound design, and striking visual motifs. Critics highlight the surreal spectacle, animated interludes, and meticulously crafted sets that recall German expressionism and Lynchian oddities. Although audio elements receive less specific commentary, the overall aural‑visual harmony reinforces the film’s chaotic tone. Consequently, the sensory dimension significantly elevates the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    The rewatch factor benefits from the film’s dense visual jokes and layered absurdity, which reveal new details on subsequent viewings. Critics suggest the unique aesthetic may either captivate or alienate, implying a polarizing but repeatable appeal. User remarks note enjoyment derived from the quirky humor and insider references, indicating that familiarity enhances appreciation. Overall, the movie offers solid replay value for audiences attuned to its eccentric style.

Videos

The Twentieth Century Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Twentieth Century.

Official Trailer
Details

The Twentieth Century Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “The 20th Century” and “Le 20ème Siècle”.

Also known as
  • The 20th Century
  • Le 20ème Siècle
  • The Twentieth Century: The Epic of Mackenzie King As Recounted in Ten Chapters
  • Le Vingtième Siècle
  • Двадцатый век
  • 二十世纪
  • 20세기 최고의 수상
  • ㊣麥肯齊金總理秘史♂
  • 20. Yüzyıl

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FAQ

The Twentieth Century FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is The Twentieth Century?

The Twentieth Century runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The Twentieth Century released?

The Twentieth Century was released on September 7, 2019.

Who directed The Twentieth Century?

The Twentieth Century was directed by Matthew Rankin.

More films by Matthew Rankin

Who is in the cast of The Twentieth Century?

The Twentieth Century stars Dan Beirne as Mackenzie King, Seán Cullen as Lord Muto and Martin Dubreuil as John Christian Schultz, among 29 credited actors.

Does The Twentieth Century have a post-credit scene?

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

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