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The Woman Who Left (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Woman Who Left (2017) movie poster

The Woman Who Left is a 2017 drama directed by Lav Diaz, starring Michael De Mesa, Shamaine Buencamino and Kakai Bautista. It runs 3 hours 46 minutes and earned $4,373 worldwide on a $76,000 budget. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$4.4K
Echo Score
83
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The Woman Who Left (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
3h 46m (226 min)
Director
Lav Diaz
Genre
Drama
Original language
Filipino
Budget
$76K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Woman Who Left About?

The premise of The Woman Who Left without spoilers.

After serving a long prison sentence, a woman is released and consumed by a desire for revenge against the man responsible for her incarceration. Free from behind bars, she meticulously plans her retribution, determined to reclaim her life and confront the past injustices that led to her imprisonment. Her quest for justice is driven by a fierce spirit and unwavering resolve.

The Woman Who Left Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • telling a story
  • reference to west side story
  • false accusation
  • existential loneliness
  • transgender
  • transgender woman
  • sex worker
  • gender in title
  • three word title
  • unjust incarceration
  • revenge
  • destroying a house
+3 more
  • reference to mother teresa
  • mother daughter reunion
  • release from jail
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Cast & crew

The Woman Who Left Cast

Michael De Mesa leads the cast, with Shamaine Buencamino and Kakai Bautista. Directed by Lav Diaz; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Woman Who Left Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Woman Who Left 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (70).

83 /100

The Woman Who Left Echo Score Breakdown

In its extended runtime, The Woman Who Left presents a contemplative yet immersive cinematic journey marked by visual cohesion and measured storytelling. Critics frequently highlight its meticulous monochrome lensing and deliberate pacing that sustains a suspenseful atmosphere over nearly four hours. While some note occasional narrative bloat and repetitive stretches, the film’s emotional depth and moral inquiries resonate strongly. Altogether, it stands as a thoughtful and stylistically assured work whose reflective qualities yield a rewarding experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and cinematography are its most acclaimed elements. Critics praise the monochrome imagery and impactful transitions between light and dark, noting the immersive production design that reinforces the contemplative mood. Occasional pacing excesses and repetitive visual motifs dilute some of that momentum. Overall, the visual craftsmanship remains compelling.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are consistently noted for their depth and nuance. Critics remark on the vivid portrayals and empathic journey of the protagonist, which anchor the film’s moral urgencies and emotional resonance. Although the extended runtime can temper some character arcs, the sustained introspection yields a memorable human portrait.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative follows a measured, conventional structure that supports its contemplative themes. Critics acknowledge its engaging emotional coups and satisfying dramatic beats yet also point to moments of didactic bloat and repetitive pacing that can challenge momentum. Nonetheless, the film’s moral inquiries and gradual buildup foster a thoughtful engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the score and sound design subtly complement the film’s restrained visual style. Critics highlight the immersive quietness and the synergy between the black-and-white imagery and ambient soundscape. While not overtly dynamic, the cohesive audiovisual presentation enhances the film’s contemplative tone. Overall, the sensory design is artfully integrated.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s immersive atmosphere and thematic depth encourage repeated viewings for closer reflection. Critics note that its deliberate pacing and moral complexity may feel taxing initially but reveal additional nuances on subsequent watches. Despite the ambitious runtime, its emotional and visual rewards contribute to lasting appeal.

Box office

The Woman Who Left Box Office & Budget

The Woman Who Left grossed $4,373 worldwide on a $76,000 budget, 6% of what it cost. $3,974 came from the US and Canada and $399 (9%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.4K

6% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4K
International
$399
Budget
$76K
US & Canada 91% Rest of the world 9%
Videos

The Woman Who Left Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Teaser trailer de The Woman Who Left — Ang Babaeng Humayo (HD)
  • Trailer The Woman Who Left – Official Trailer
Details

The Woman Who Left Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “A Mulher Que Se Foi” and “La Femme qui est partie”.

Also known as
  • A Mulher Que Se Foi
  • La Femme qui est partie
  • The Woman Who Left - La donna che se ne è andata
  • Tá, ktorá odišla
  • Kobieta, która odeszła
  • 离开的女人
  • Женщина, которая ушла
  • Жената, която си тръгна
  • 떠나간 여인
  • Giden Kadın
  • Ta, která odešla
  • Femeia care a plecat

Seen The Woman Who Left?

FAQ

The Woman Who Left FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Woman Who Left, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Woman Who Left?

The Woman Who Left runs 3 hours 46 minutes (226 minutes).

When was The Woman Who Left released?

The Woman Who Left was released on May 19, 2017.

Who directed The Woman Who Left?

The Woman Who Left was directed by Lav Diaz.

More films by Lav Diaz

Who is in the cast of The Woman Who Left?

The Woman Who Left stars Michael De Mesa, Shamaine Buencamino and Kakai Bautista, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Woman Who Left make at the box office?

The Woman Who Left grossed $4,373 worldwide ($3,974 domestic, $399 international) on a budget of $76,000.

How is The Woman Who Left rated?

The Woman Who Left has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does The Woman Who Left have a post-credit scene?

No. The Woman Who Left has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Woman Who Left in?

The original language of The Woman Who Left is Filipino.

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