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To the Ends of the Earth (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

To the Ends of the Earth (2019) movie poster

To the Ends of the Earth is a 2019 drama directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, starring Atsuko Maeda as Yoko, Ryo Kase and Tokio Emoto. It runs 2 hours and earned $245,034 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 60/100.

worldwide gross
$245K
Echo Score
60
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To the Ends of the Earth (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Genre
Drama
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is To the Ends of the Earth About?

The premise of To the Ends of the Earth without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young Japanese woman named Yoko finds her cautious and insular nature tested when she travels to Uzbekistan to shoot the latest episode of her travel variety show.

To the Ends of the Earth Themes & Keywords

· 27 tags
  • lake
  • goat
  • cat
  • japanese girl
  • japanese abroad
  • japanese woman
  • camera
  • written by director
  • female protagonist
  • uzbekistan
  • fictional variety show
  • fisherman
+15 more
  • filming
  • food
  • amusement park
  • vomiting
  • tashkent uzbekistan
  • postcard
  • cell phone
  • aquarium
  • handheld camera
  • video camera
  • arrest
  • fire
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • title at the end
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Cast & crew

To the Ends of the Earth Cast & Characters

Atsuko Maeda leads the cast as Yoko, with Ryo Kase as Iwao and Tokio Emoto as Sasaki. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in To the Ends of the Earth

· 3 more
From the director

More from Kiyoshi Kurosawa

More films directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, best-rated first: Tokyo Sonata, The Samurai and the Prisoner, To the Ends of the Earth and Cloud.

Full filmography
Ratings

To the Ends of the Earth Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in sensory experience (50).

60 /100

To the Ends of the Earth Echo Score Breakdown

In overall reception, To the Ends of the Earth generates a split response. Critics commend its atmospheric direction, nuanced performance and thoughtful treatment of cultural dislocation, while a minority of reviewers denounce its pacing and perceive it as propagandistic. The divergence produces a moderate consensus that acknowledges artistic ambition but notes narrative unevenness. Consequently, the film settles into a middle‑range rating that reflects both its praised qualities and its perceived shortcomings.

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 art and craft, the film is praised for its measured cinematography, restrained editing and the way Kurosawa shifts toward a subtler tonal palette. Critics highlight the atmospheric composition and deliberate pacing as strengths, whereas some viewers find the visual style uneven and the production design lacking depth, leading to a mixed appraisal.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When evaluating character and emotion, critics emphasize Atsuko Maeda’s nuanced performance and the film’s capacity to convey isolation and cultural disorientation. The emotional core is seen as a rewarding element, yet user commentary describes the protagonist as underdeveloped and inconsistently motivated. This contrast yields a moderate score that reflects both the praised acting and perceived character thinness.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story and flow receive commendation for its thematic ambition, with critics noting an intriguing shift toward a quieter, introspective narrative. However, several reviewers point to uneven pacing, fragmented plot points and a lack of clear direction, describing the screenplay as meandering. Such divergent views translate into a middling assessment of narrative coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s atmospheric sound design and restrained score are praised by critics for reinforcing the feeling of isolation. Nonetheless, some audience members criticize the soundtrack for failing to signal underlying tension, and the visual style is described as inconsistent. The mixed feedback results in a modest sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch appeal is influenced by the film’s atmospheric qualities and the thoughtful performance that many critics find rewarding, suggesting a potential for repeated viewings. Conversely, user critiques highlight a lack of narrative cohesion and perceived propaganda, reducing the desire to revisit. This balance yields a moderate rewatch factor that acknowledges both its captivating moments and its limitations.

Plot

To the Ends of the Earth Plot Summary

What happens in To the Ends of the Earth 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

Yoko is a television travel program reporter who travels to Uzbekistan with her crew to shoot an episode for the show. She dreams of becoming a singer, and the film places her upbeat on-screen persona beside a growing internal tension that only appears when she’s alone. What starts as a bright, globe-trotting assignment gradually reveals the gaps between performance and private longing, creating a quiet, observational mood that sticks with you after the credits.

Full summary

The whole story of To the Ends of the Earth, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

To the Ends of the Earth Box Office

To the Ends of the Earth grossed $245,034 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$245K

International
$245K
Videos

To the Ends of the Earth Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH Trailer | TIFF 2019
  • Featurette TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH Director Q&A | TIFF 2019
Quiz

How Well Do You Know To the Ends of the Earth?

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

Which country does the television reporter travel to for her assignment?

Details

To the Ends of the Earth Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Tabi no Owari” and “Sekai no Hajimari”.

Also known as
  • Tabi no Owari
  • Sekai no Hajimari
  • O Fim da Viagem
  • O Começo de Tudo
  • 在世界盡頭開始旅行
  • たびのおわりせかいのはじまり
  • 지구의 끝까지
  • O Fim da Viagem, o Começo de Tudo
  • Au bout du monde
  • 旅途的结束,世界的开始
  • Конец путешествия, начало мира
  • 旅程之終、世界之始

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FAQ

To the Ends of the Earth FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of To the Ends of the Earth, each answered in a sentence.

How long is To the Ends of the Earth?

To the Ends of the Earth runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was To the Ends of the Earth released?

To the Ends of the Earth was released on June 14, 2019.

Who directed To the Ends of the Earth?

To the Ends of the Earth was directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

More films by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Who is in the cast of To the Ends of the Earth?

To the Ends of the Earth stars Atsuko Maeda as Yoko, Ryo Kase as Iwao and Tokio Emoto as Sasaki, among 7 credited actors.

How much did To the Ends of the Earth make at the box office?

To the Ends of the Earth grossed $245,034 worldwide.

Does To the Ends of the Earth have a post-credit scene?

No. To the Ends of the Earth has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is To the Ends of the Earth in?

The original language of To the Ends of the Earth is Japanese.

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