Logo What's After the Movie

Through Black Spruce 2018

The sudden disappearance of a young Cree woman living in Toronto deeply affects her family in Northern Ontario. Driven by grief and a desperate hope, her twin sister embarks on a journey to Toronto to search for her, uncovering secrets and facing challenges along the way.

The sudden disappearance of a young Cree woman living in Toronto deeply affects her family in Northern Ontario. Driven by grief and a desperate hope, her twin sister embarks on a journey to Toronto to search for her, uncovering secrets and facing challenges along the way.

Does Through Black Spruce have end credit scenes?

No!

Through Black Spruce does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Through Black Spruce

Explore the complete cast of Through Black Spruce, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Through Black Spruce

See how Through Black Spruce is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Through Black Spruce stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

78

Through Black Spruce delivers a resonant portrayal of First Nations life with strong performances and a striking visual palette, yet its narrative rhythm suffers from uneven pacing and occasional editorial lapses. Critics commend the cinematography, atmosphere, and the authenticity of cultural moments, while noting that the dual-story structure can feel disjointed and the resolution leaves some threads unresolved. Overall, the film stands as a compelling but imperfect exploration of identity and loss.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Through Black Spruce

72
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film excels in capturing the stark beauty of northern Ontario and employs an understated color palette that reinforces its mood. Critics praise the cinematography and production design, highlighting the effective use of rural landscapes. However, direction and editing are seen as uneven, with choppy scene transitions that detract from narrative flow. The net impression is one of visual competence tempered by inconsistent pacing.

83
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When evaluating character and emotion, the performances receive consistent acclaim; Beatty, Oakes, and Greene are noted for nuanced, body‑language‑driven portrayals that convey depth without heavy dialogue. Reviewers describe the acting as flawless and emotionally resonant. Some criticism points to Annie's inconsistent motivations, yet the overall sentiment remains strongly positive. Consequently, the character work is judged as a principal strength of the film.

66
Echo Score

Story & Flow

The story and flow attract mixed reactions. Reviewers acknowledge the realistic, honest depiction of Indigenous struggles and praise the dual‑narrative concept for its originality. Conversely, many note a slow, dragging pace, uneven pacing, and a plot that feels imposed on characters rather than driven by them. The ending is described as unsatisfying by some. Overall, the narrative is seen as compelling in premise but hampered by execution flaws.

88
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

Sensory experience stands out through an award‑winning soundtrack that heightens the film’s sinister atmosphere and precise sound design that underscores tension. Visual style is lauded for its stark, immersive framing of remote settings, reinforcing thematic weight. No notable criticisms of auditory or visual elements are reported. This aspect is therefore judged as a high point, delivering an effective and memorable sensory landscape.

68
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Rewatch factor receives a moderate assessment. While the film’s cultural authenticity and strong performances invite repeat viewings for deeper appreciation, the sluggish pacing and uneven editing reduce its immediate replay appeal. Some viewers find the atmospheric depth rewarding on subsequent watches, yet the narrative’s pacing issues may deter frequent revisits. The overall rewatch potential is thus considered modest but present.

Take the Ultimate Through Black Spruce Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Through Black Spruce with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Through Black Spruce Quiz: Test your knowledge of the 2018 film Through Black Spruce with these ten questions.

What is the name of the Cree woman from Moosonee who embarks on a search for her sister?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Through Black Spruce

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Through Black Spruce, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Annie Bird, Tanaya Beatty, a Cree woman from Moosonee, is the identical twin of Suzanne Bird, a model who had last been seen in Toronto before disappearing with her abusive boyfriend Gus. While living with her mother Lizette, Tina Keeper, Annie remains close to her uncle Will, Brandon Oakes, a hunter and former bush pilot. At the invitation of a friend, Annie travels to Toronto for a vacation, but stays behind to look for her sister. When Annie leaves for their vacation, a local Moosonee drug dealer named Marius, Wesley French, takes this as a signal that one of her family members may need to go into hiding and accuses Will of being a snitch.

In Toronto, Annie contacts Suzanne’s modelling agency and collects the last paycheque that she was owed. The agency refers her to Jesse, Kiowa Gordon, the last photographer to undertake a project with Suzanne. The two meet while Jesse is debuting the resulting photo series at a local gallery. After describing the depression Suzanne was in, Jesse gives Annie the address where she last stayed. There, Annie meets Geeta, Parveen Kaur, who is the other tenant. Geeta welcomes Annie and describes the shock of receiving the missing person’s report for her roommate. Taking her to Suzanne’s former room, Geeta encourages Annie to stay there for as long as necessary.

Meanwhile, Marius escalates his threats against Will’s family and attempts to firebomb his house at night. The police chief dismisses Will’s report due to his alcoholism and inability to provide a license plate number. Taking matters into his own hands, Will later aims a rifle at Marius from afar and fires a bullet into his head. Will escapes by plane to a remote island, and encounters a group of fellow Cree travelers after setting up a campsite. After being convinced that he cannot hide forever, Will returns to Moosonee. His sister Lizette tells him that Marius survived the shot to the head, albeit with brain damage. The police chief comes to speak with Will, and initially announces that the attempted murder is being ruled as a “biker hit”. However, before driving off, he tells Will to have better aim next time.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, Annie begins a relationship with Jesse and offers to take Suzanne’s place in an upcoming photo shoot. At a club that Suzanne used to frequent, Geeta introduces Annie to an acquaintance named Danny, Joey Klein. Jesse warns her that Danny is a drug dealer, but Geeta continues to include him in their circle of friends. Annie looks at some of Suzanne’s production stills and sees that signs of drug use have been photoshopped away. She berates Jesse for his dishonesty and prepares to leave Toronto. While she is telling Geeta, Danny corners the two of them and reveals that he has killed Gus in an effort to reclaim stolen drugs. While choking Annie, he accuses her of conspiring with her sister to keep the stash hidden.

Danny then comes to Moosonee in order to continue searching for Suzanne. He throws boiling water at Lizette and beats Will with a golf club. Before he can deliver the killing blow, Annie arrives with Will’s rifle. She kills Marius and Danny in time to help carry her uncle to the hospital.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Discover Film Music Concerts Near You – Live Orchestras Performing Iconic Movie Soundtracks

Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema with live orchestral performances of your favorite film scores. From sweeping Hollywood blockbusters and animated classics to epic fantasy soundtracks, our curated listings connect you to upcoming film music events worldwide.

Explore concert film screenings paired with full orchestra concerts, read detailed event information, and secure your tickets for unforgettable evenings celebrating legendary composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and more.

Concert Film CTA - Music Note
Concert Film CTA - Green Blue Wave

Cars Featured in Through Black Spruce

See 14 more

Explore all cars featured in Through Black Spruce, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Audi

2009

Q5

BMW

2016

X1 F48

Chevrolet

2005

Silverado HD

Dodge

2011

Grand Caravan

Ford

2004

F-150

GMC

2007

Savana

GMC

1994

Sierra

Honda

2016

Civic

Honda

2005

Odyssey

Suzuki

KingQuad

Through Black Spruce Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Through Black Spruce across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Сквозь черную ель Keresztül a fekete fenyvesen 시스터 헌트 穿过黑云杉 Les saisons de la solitude

© 2026 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.