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What's After the Movie?
Biographical musical

tick, tick...Boom! (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

tick, tick...Boom! (2021) movie poster

tick, tick...Boom! is a 2021 biographical musical starring Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, Joshua Henry and Vanessa Hudgens. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $112,777 worldwide on a $55 million budget. It won 1 award from 9 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$112.8K
award won
1
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tick, tick...Boom! (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Musical
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$55M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is tick, tick...Boom! About?

The premise of tick, tick...Boom! without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1990s New York City, a young composer named Jon grapples with the challenges of creating his ambitious first musical while confronting the realities of the AIDS epidemic. As a make-or-break performance approaches, he struggles to balance his artistic aspirations with personal relationships and the awareness of life’s fragility, ultimately questioning how best to use his time.

tick, tick...Boom! Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 30th birthday
  • 29 year old man
  • gay character
  • gay friend
  • gay
  • gay man straight man friendship
  • gay straight friendship
  • male friendship
  • white male black female relationship
  • lgbt
  • composer
  • theater
+38 more
  • american
  • singing
  • 1990s
  • year 1990
  • party
  • dance
  • love
  • piano
  • birthday
  • drum
  • based on stage musical
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • aids crisis
  • struggling artist
  • pop musical
  • new york city
  • manhattan new york city
  • jonathan larson character
  • stephen sondheim character
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • best friend
  • diner
  • pianist
  • musician
  • scene during closing credits
  • archive footage
  • archive footage during closing credits
  • telephone
  • telephone call
  • singer
  • directorial debut
  • 29 year old
  • reference to west side story the stage musical
  • boy
  • younger version of character
  • sex
  • flashback
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Cast & crew

tick, tick...Boom! Cast & Characters

Andrew Garfield leads the cast as Jonathan Larson, with Joshua Henry as Roger and Vanessa Hudgens as Karessa.

Ratings

tick, tick...Boom! Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave tick, tick...Boom! 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in rewatch factor (88) and weakest in story & flow (73).

85 /100

tick, tick...Boom! Echo Score Breakdown

Tick, Tick... Boom! is generally received as a vibrant musical film that succeeds in translating Jonathan Larson's autobiographical stage work to the screen. Critics highlight the film's energetic direction and heartfelt performances, while many audience members praise the memorable songs and emotional core, though a few note pacing issues and an uneven finale. The overall consensus tilts strongly positive, indicating a film that resonates with both theater enthusiasts and general viewers alike.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    The film’s visual craftsmanship garners respect for its inventive cinematography and production design. Critics commend Miranda’s direction for capturing the urgency of Larson’s world, and users applaud the creative camera work and set pieces that differentiate the screen version from the stage. Some reviewers, however, point to moments of haste that blur the artistic focus. In sum, the art and craft are solid, with occasional lapses.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Performance depth emerges as a standout strength, driven chiefly by Andrew Garfield’s nuanced portrayal of Larson. Critics and viewers alike commend his emotional intensity and the supporting cast’s chemistry, noting that the ensemble brings authenticity to the narrative. A minority of critics find the focus overly singular, but the prevailing view celebrates the character work as compelling and richly layered.

  • Story & Flow 73

    Narrative cohesion receives mixed reactions, with praise for the compelling depiction of artistic struggle and criticism for uneven pacing. Critics acknowledge the film’s ambition in blending memoir with musical spectacle, yet some feel the tension remains unresolved and the climax underdelivered. Audience feedback mirrors this divide, appreciating the heartfelt arc while noting a weaker ending. Overall, the story is engaging but not uniformly tight.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The audiovisual experience is largely lauded for its dynamic score and vivid musical numbers. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack’s ability to drive emotion and commend the sound design that underscores the Broadway atmosphere. A few viewers describe certain musical sections as overly dense, but the consensus emphasizes the sensory richness that enhances the film’s impact. Consequently, the sensory elements are regarded as a strong asset.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    Replay value stands out as a major draw, with many audience members expressing a desire to revisit the film. Critics note its emotional resonance and memorable songs that invite repeated viewings, while user comments frequently mention returning to the musical's moments and discovering new details. Isolated negative reactions exist, yet the dominant sentiment affirms lasting appeal and high rewatch potential.

Plot

tick, tick...Boom! Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in tick, tick...Boom! 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1992, Jonathan Larson, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, presents his rock monologue Tick, Tick… Boom! at the New York Theatre Workshop, supported by his friends, Roger (played by Joshua Henry) and Karessa (portrayed by Vanessa Hudgens). He narrates his internal struggle with a relentless ticking noise echoing in his mind, shaping the story of his life. An unseen narrator highlights that this film is based on Jonathan’s true experiences, “except for the parts that [he] made up.”

Full summary

The whole story of tick, tick...Boom!, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

tick, tick...Boom! Box Office & Budget

tick, tick...Boom! grossed $112,777 worldwide on a $55 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$112.8K

International
$112.8K
Budget
$55M
Awards

tick, tick...Boom! Awards & Nominations

tick, tick...Boom! won 1 award from 9 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2022, with 1 win from 2 nominations.

1 win9 nominations6 ceremonies

Show all 6 ceremonies
Videos

tick, tick...Boom! Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 7 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip
  • Featurette Watch This Before You See Andrew Garfield In tick, tick...BOOM!
  • Featurette Who Is Jonathan Larson? A Look Into His Life & Legacy
  • Featurette Movie Premiere Musical Performance
Quiz

How Well Do You Know tick, tick...Boom!?

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

Question 1 of 10

  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
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the lead role of Jonathan Larson in the movie?

Cars

Cars in tick, tick...Boom!

16 cars on screen, including the 1989 BMW 5 E34 and the BMW 3 E30.

All 16 cars
  • 1989 BMW 5 E34 in tick, tick...Boom! 1989 BMW 5 E34 Minor role
  • BMW 3 E30 in tick, tick...Boom! BMW 3 E30 Background role
  • 1979 Buick Electra in tick, tick...Boom! 1979 Buick Electra Background role
  • 1978 Buick LeSabre in tick, tick...Boom! 1978 Buick LeSabre Background role

Seen tick, tick...Boom!?

FAQ

tick, tick...Boom! FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of tick, tick...Boom!, each answered in a sentence.

How long is tick, tick...Boom!?

tick, tick...Boom! runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was tick, tick...Boom! released?

tick, tick...Boom! was released on November 12, 2021.

Who is in the cast of tick, tick...Boom!?

tick, tick...Boom! stars Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, Joshua Henry as Roger and Vanessa Hudgens as Karessa, among 18 credited actors.

How much did tick, tick...Boom! make at the box office?

tick, tick...Boom! grossed $112,777 worldwide on a budget of $55 million.

How is tick, tick...Boom! rated?

tick, tick...Boom! has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

What awards did tick, tick...Boom! win?

tick, tick...Boom! won 1 award from 9 nominations, including Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) at the Golden Globes 2022.

Does tick, tick...Boom! have a post-credit scene?

No. tick, tick...Boom! has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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