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Mystery thriller

The Translators (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Translators (2019) movie poster

The Translators is a 2019 mystery thriller directed by Régis Roinsard, starring Lambert Wilson as Éric Angstrom, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Jacob Ulrik Lohmann. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $3.1 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Its Echo Score is 73/100.

worldwide gross
$3.1M
Echo Score
73
budget
$10M
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The Translators (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Régis Roinsard
Genres
Mystery , Thriller
Original language
French
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Translators About?

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

Nine translators, hired to translate the eagerly awaited final book of a bestselling trilogy, are confined in a luxurious bunker.

The Translators Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • nonlinear timeline
  • fire
  • frankfurt germany
  • airport
  • limousine
  • cell phone
  • security gate
  • skateboard
  • broken arm
  • swimming pool
  • prison
  • christmas
+38 more
  • london england
  • bare chested male
  • punched in the face
  • blood
  • candle
  • paris france
  • subway
  • paris metro
  • photocopying
  • pushed down stairs
  • internet
  • non linear
  • flashback
  • plaster cast
  • bunker
  • bowling
  • library
  • translator
  • language
  • laptop computer
  • sleep
  • meal
  • briefcase
  • underwater scene
  • singing
  • police
  • code
  • newspaper
  • cigarette lighter
  • gun
  • metro
  • hanging
  • hanged to death
  • suicide
  • death
  • murder
  • publisher
  • secret
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Cast & crew

The Translators Cast & Characters

Lambert Wilson leads the cast as Éric Angstrom, with Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helene Tuxen and Jacob Ulrik Lohmann as Mari Helene. Directed by Régis Roinsard; 24 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Translators

· 20 more
Show all 24 cast members
From the director

More from Régis Roinsard

One more film directed by Régis Roinsard: Waiting for Bojangles.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Translators Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in sensory experience (65).

73 /100

The Translators Echo Score Breakdown

The Translators delivers an entertaining mystery that succeeds in keeping viewers engaged, though its narrative occasionally strains credibility. Critics highlight the film’s brisk pacing and twist‑laden plot as strengths, while noting convoluted later sections and occasional implausibilities. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the fun premise and strong cast but acknowledging uneven depth. Consequently, the film offers solid enjoyment for genre fans, yet it falls short of a consistently compelling experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film demonstrates competent pacing and clear storytelling, though it lacks distinctive cinematographic flair. Critics note the efficient editing that sustains tension, yet some find the production design generic, contributing to moments of implausibility. Overall, the craftsmanship supports the narrative without elevating it, resulting in a solid but unremarkable artistic foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When evaluating performances, the ensemble cast delivers nuanced portrayals that anchor the film’s premise, with particular praise for supporting actors who add depth to a limited script. Critics acknowledge the emotional resonance of the translators’ rivalry, though occasional tonal shifts dilute character consistency. The overall impression is a competent, occasionally compelling, character rendering that enhances audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The narrative centers on a high‑stakes translation competition, offering a brisk, twist‑rich plot that generally holds attention. Positive feedback highlights the engaging whodunit structure, while detractors point to convoluted later developments and credibility gaps that undermine coherence. Consequently, the story delivers satisfying intrigue but suffers from uneven pacing and occasional implausibility, placing it in the middle of its genre strengths.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of auditory and visual ambience, the film provides a serviceable soundtrack and clear sound design that complement its mystery tone. Reviewers find the visual style functional but lacking a distinctive aesthetic, and the score does not significantly elevate tension. Overall, the sensory elements are competent, supporting the narrative without delivering memorable impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    The film offers replay value through its twist‑laden plot and appealing cast, making it enjoyable on subsequent viewings for fans of mystery thrillers. Critics and users describe it as watchable and fun, noting that while flaws exist, the core premise remains engaging enough to merit another look. Consequently, the rewatch factor is solid, though not exceptional, reflecting a film that entertains repeatedly without profound depth.

Plot

The Translators Plot Summary

What happens in The Translators from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The publication of the last part of the globally successful book trilogy Dedalus is imminent, and to prevent any data leaks or spoilers, the translation project is designed to run in complete isolation and under strict security. The nine translators, chosen from the countries where Dedalus sells best, are whisked away to a secluded bunker to translate the manuscript into their respective languages. In this controlled environment, the translators receive only small sections of the secret book each day, so progress happens slowly and carefully, with every word weighed for accuracy and secrecy.

Full summary

The whole story of The Translators, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Translators Box Office & Budget

The Translators grossed $3.1 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 31% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.1M

31% of its budget back

International
$3.1M
Budget
$10M
Videos

The Translators Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Translators.

The Translators / Les Traducteurs (2020) - Trailer (English Subs)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Translators?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  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

What is the name of the secret book trilogy being translated in the film?

Details

The Translators Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Il Prezzo Dell'Arte” and “Tulkotāji”.

Also known as
  • Il Prezzo Dell'Arte
  • Tulkotāji
  • 9人の翻訳家 囚われたベストセラー:2019
  • Översättarna
  • Los traductores
  • Перекладачі
  • המתרגמים
  • Переводчики
  • Sırlar Kitabı
  • Os Tradutores
  • Kod Dedala
  • Οι Μεταφραστές
+15 more
  • 叛譯同謀
  • Teljes titoktartás
  • Překladatelé
  • 9人の翻訳家 囚われたベストセラー
  • 翻译疑云
  • Người Phiên Dịch
  • 密室譯戰
  • Les traducteurs
  • Els traductors
  • 9명의 번역가
  • Traducătorii
  • Prevodioci
  • Das Rätsel
  • Преводачите
  • Prevajalci

Seen The Translators?

FAQ

The Translators FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Translators?

The Translators runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was The Translators released?

The Translators was released on November 23, 2019.

Who directed The Translators?

The Translators was directed by Régis Roinsard.

More films by Régis Roinsard

Who is in the cast of The Translators?

The Translators stars Lambert Wilson as Éric Angstrom, Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helene Tuxen and Jacob Ulrik Lohmann as Mari Helene, among 24 credited actors.

How much did The Translators make at the box office?

The Translators grossed $3.1 million worldwide on a budget of $10 million.

Does The Translators have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is The Translators in?

The original language of The Translators is French.

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