Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Fantasy drama

Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022) movie poster

Three Thousand Years of Longing is a 2022 fantasy drama directed by George Miller, starring Seyithan Özdemir as Pale Djinn, Sarah Houbolt and Tilda Swinton. It is partly based on The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by A. S. Byatt. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $20.3 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. It earned 11 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2022. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
71%
worldwide gross
$20.3M
award nominations
11
Echo Score
57
Loading streaming availability…
Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
George Miller
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$60M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Three Thousand Years of Longing About?

The premise of Three Thousand Years of Longing without spoilers, adapted from The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by A. S. Byatt. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While in Istanbul, a pragmatic narratologist meets a Djinn who grants her three wishes in return for his release. As they explore the consequences of his power and the cautionary tales surrounding wishes, their lives become unexpectedly connected. Their shared stories lead to a profound and enchanting revelation that redefines her understanding of the world and the power of storytelling.

Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Three Thousand Years of Longing Cast & Characters

Seyithan Özdemir leads the cast as Pale Djinn, with Sarah Houbolt as Airport Djinn and Tilda Swinton as Alithea. Directed by George Miller; 28 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Three Thousand Years of Longing Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Three Thousand Years of Longing 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

57 /100

Three Thousand Years of Longing Echo Score Breakdown

Three Thousand Years of Longing elicits a mixed response, with visual ambition often praised while narrative cohesion falters. Critics highlight striking tableaus and bold production design, yet note a sterile CGI aesthetic that undercuts emotional impact. Performances receive both commendation for charisma and criticism for lack of chemistry. The story’s pacing and structural focus divide opinion, resulting in limited rewatch incentive despite moments of sensory allure.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    The film’s art direction showcases ambitious visual tableaux and bold production design, earning praise for striking color palettes and imaginative set pieces. Critics and users alike note the stunning cinematography of the Djinn’s memories, though many point to synthetic CGI that feels sterile and detracts from immersion. Overall, the craftsmanship is commendable but uneven, yielding a moderately positive assessment of the visual craft.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    Acting receives notable commendation, with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton frequently described as committed and nuanced, delivering chemistry that some find compelling. However, several reviewers criticize a palpable lack of relational depth and limited character development, especially in later acts. The balance of strong individual performances against intermittent tonal flatness leads to a generally favorable but mixed view of character work.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Narrative structure draws polarized reactions; some value the film’s mythic premise and layered storytelling, while many cite sluggish pacing, disjointed plotting, and an absence of a central, compelling arc. Critics describe the story as static and overly verbose, and users highlight a promising first half that loses focus later. These concerns outweigh the occasional originality, resulting in a below‑average story rating.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory elements, including soundtrack and visual style, are widely praised for their lushness and inventive design. Reviewers commend the film’s vibrant memory sequences, daring color work, and effective sound design that enhances the fantastical tone. Nonetheless, some note moments where CGI appears overly polished, creating a sterile feel. The predominance of positive commentary yields a strong sensory score.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch appeal is limited, with many reviewers finding the film’s static pacing and repetitive dialogue diminish long‑term engagement. While a few critics suggest deeper layers may emerge on subsequent viewings, the majority of user feedback describes the experience as tiring and lacking incentive for repeat screenings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is assessed as low.

Plot

Three Thousand Years of Longing Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Three Thousand Years of Longing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Alithea Binnie, a British scholar with a specialization in narratology, often experiences hallucinations involving demonic entities. While visiting Istanbul, she stumbles upon an antique bottle, inadvertently releasing a trapped Djinn, played by Idris Elba. This Djinn offers her a chance to fulfill three wishes, but with strict conditions: no wishing for more wishes, no immortality, and no wishing for an end to sin or suffering. Alithea is skeptical and challenges the Djinn’s intentions, asserting that making wishes ultimately leads to regret. She reminisces about her childhood where she conjured an imaginary friend who she created a whole life story for in her diary, only to abandon him out of fear of being overwhelmed by her imagination.

Full summary

The whole story of Three Thousand Years of Longing, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Three Thousand Years of Longing Box Office & Budget

Three Thousand Years of Longing grossed $20.3 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, 34% of what it cost. $8.3 million came from the US and Canada and $12 million (59%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$20.3M

34% of its budget back

US & Canada
$8.3M
International
$12M
Budget
$60M
US & Canada 41% Rest of the world 59%
Awards

Three Thousand Years of Longing Awards & Nominations

Three Thousand Years of Longing earned 11 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the AACTA Awards 2022.

11 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Three Thousand Years of Longing Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 1 trailer, 3 teasers, 3 clips, 4 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 13 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Trailer Online Friday
  • Teaser Tickets On Sale Now
  • Teaser UK TV Spot
  • Clip “Wish We Never Met”
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Three Thousand Years of Longing?

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

Who is the main character in the film?

Details

Three Thousand Years of Longing Also Known As

37 alternative titles, including “Trois mille ans à t'attendre” and “Три тысячи лет желаний”.

Also known as
  • Trois mille ans à t'attendre
  • Три тысячи лет желаний
  • 3000 Years of Longing
  • 三千年的渴望
  • Vēlēšanās trīs tūkstošu gadu garumā
  • Üç Bin Yıllık Bekleyiş
  • Trzy tysiące lat tęsknoty
  • Era Uma Vez um Gênio
  • Kolmen tuhannen vuoden kaipuu
  • 三千年的思念
  • Três Mil Anos de Desejo
  • Ba Ngàn Năm Khao Khát
+25 more
  • Tres mil años esperándote
  • 3000년의 기다림
  • Tremila anni di attesa
  • アラビアンナイト 三千年の願い
  • Háromezer év vágyakozás
  • ثلاثة آلاف عامًا من الحنين
  • سه هزار سال حسرت
  • Tri tisuće godina čežnje
  • 3
  • 000 שנים של כמיהה
  • Τρεις Χιλιάδες Χρόνια Προσμονής
  • 3000 de ani de dorință
  • Tři tisíce let touhy
  • Érase una vez un genio
  • Tri tisoč let hrepenenja
  • Ba Nghìn Năm Khao Khát
  • Три тисячі років бажань
  • Три хиљаде година чежње
  • Tre tusen år av längtan
  • Trys tūkstančiai metų troškimų
  • ปาฏิหาริย์ตะเกียงวิเศษ 3
  • 000 ปี
  • Три хиляди години копнеж
  • Tre tusinde års længsel
  • Tres mil anys esperant-te, სამი ათასი წელი ლოდინი

Seen Three Thousand Years of Longing?

FAQ

Three Thousand Years of Longing FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Three Thousand Years of Longing, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Three Thousand Years of Longing?

Three Thousand Years of Longing runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Three Thousand Years of Longing released?

Three Thousand Years of Longing was released on August 26, 2022.

Who directed Three Thousand Years of Longing?

Three Thousand Years of Longing was directed by George Miller.

More films by George Miller

Who is in the cast of Three Thousand Years of Longing?

Three Thousand Years of Longing stars Seyithan Özdemir as Pale Djinn, Sarah Houbolt as Airport Djinn and Tilda Swinton as Alithea, among 28 credited actors.

How much did Three Thousand Years of Longing make at the box office?

Three Thousand Years of Longing grossed $20.3 million worldwide ($8.3 million domestic, $12 million international) on a budget of $60 million.

How is Three Thousand Years of Longing rated?

Three Thousand Years of Longing has 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic, 69% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.

Is Three Thousand Years of Longing based on a book?

Yes. Three Thousand Years of Longing is partly adapted from The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by A. S. Byatt.

Was Three Thousand Years of Longing nominated for any awards?

Three Thousand Years of Longing received 11 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app