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Biographical drama

Tove (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Tove (2021) movie poster

Tove is a 2021 biographical drama directed by Zaida Bergroth, starring Alma Pöysti as Tove Jansson, Kajsa Ernst and Robert Enckell. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $96,182 worldwide on a $3.6 million budget. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$96.2K
Echo Score
80
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Tove (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Zaida Bergroth
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
Swedish
Budget
$3.6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tove About?

The premise of Tove without spoilers.

In post-war Helsinki, 1945, the young Tove Jansson struggles to balance her artistic ambitions with a turbulent personal life. As a budding artist, she finds herself drawn to the captivating theatre director Vivica Bandler, leading to a complex and unconventional relationship. Amidst the vibrant world of modern art, lively parties, and family pressures, Tove must confront unrequited feelings and discover her own path to creative freedom and self-discovery.

Tove Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • artist
  • unrequited love
  • lesbianism
  • moomin
  • helsinki finland
  • cartoonist
  • lesbian
  • art
  • homosexuality
  • sculptor
  • fine arts
  • comic strip
+38 more
  • father daughter relationship
  • sexuality
  • stage play
  • play
  • paris france
  • sex scene
  • open relationship
  • cuckolded husband
  • open marriage
  • female topless nudity
  • father daughter conflict
  • lesbian wife
  • lesbian cuckold
  • lesbian love
  • female nudity
  • lesbian affair
  • politician
  • party
  • theater
  • scrapbook
  • character name as title
  • one word title
  • 1950s
  • 1940s
  • finland
  • period drama
  • author
  • voice over narration
  • female artist
  • world war two
  • aerial bombardment
  • air raid shelter
  • lesbian relationship
  • year 1944
  • continuation war
  • illustrator
  • comic strip artist
  • house party
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Cast & crew

Tove Cast & Characters

Alma Pöysti leads the cast as Tove Jansson, with Kajsa Ernst as Signe 'Ham' Jansson and Robert Enckell as Viktor 'Faffan' Jansson. Directed by Zaida Bergroth; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tove

· 6 more
From the director

More from Zaida Bergroth

More films directed by Zaida Bergroth: Kristal, Maria’s Paradise, Miami and The Good Son.

Full filmography
Ratings

Tove Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tove 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (62).

80 /100

Tove Echo Score Breakdown

Tove presents a well‑crafted portrait that leans on strong performances and a vivid visual palette, while the narrative structure feels uneven. Critics commend Alma Poysti's nuanced embodiment of Jansson and the film’s expressive production design, yet several note a conventional biopic outline that falters in pacing. The sensory elements, particularly the color work and costume design, add distinct charm, though the soft‑focus cinematography draws mixed reactions. Overall, the film offers an engaging experience tempered by a modestly paced story.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates confident direction and striking visuals. Reviewers highlight vibrant production design, expressive cinematography, and a warm editorial tone, while some criticize a drippy soft‑focus aesthetic. The editing maintains a steady rhythm that supports the biopic format. Consequently, the technical execution is viewed as solid with occasional stylistic missteps.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When evaluating character and emotion, the consensus centers on Poysti's nuanced performance and the cast's chemistry. Critics describe her portrayal as layered and evocative, and note the empathetic depiction of young love. Minor remarks point to limited depth in supporting figures, but overall the acting is regarded as a primary strength that anchors the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 62

    Regarding story and flow, reviewers find the biopic conventional and occasionally abrupt. While the interior focus on Jansson offers moments of insight, the pacing is described as uneven, and the conclusion feels sudden. The narrative’s originality is modest, delivering an informative but not fully immersive arc, leading to a mixed assessment of the storytelling.

  • Sensory Experience 74

    The sensory experience combines vivid visual style with a soundtrack that complements the period setting. Critics praise the expressive color palette and costume design, though some note a lingering softness in the cinematography that detracts from clarity. Sound design is generally understated, supporting the film’s tonal balance. Overall, the sensory elements are viewed positively with minor reservations.

  • Rewatch Factor 76

    Rewatch factor is buoyed by the film’s charm and the engaging portrayals, prompting recommendations for additional viewings. Reviewers appreciate the escapist qualities and the visual richness that rewards repeat exposure. Some desire deeper exploration of the Moomin universe, tempering enthusiasm, yet the lingering appeal of the biopic’s atmosphere sustains its replay value.

Box office

Tove Box Office & Budget

Tove grossed $96,182 worldwide on a $3.6 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$96.2K

International
$96.2K
Budget
$3.6M
Videos

Tove Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Tove.

TOVE (2020) Trailer | Moomins Creator Movie
Cars

Cars in Tove

4 cars on screen, including the 1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper and the 1937 Chevrolet unknown.

  • 1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper in Tove 1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper Minor role
  • 1937 Chevrolet unknown in Tove 1937 Chevrolet unknown Background role
  • 1937 De Soto Custom in Tove 1937 De Soto Custom Background role
  • 1947 Packard Clipper in Tove 1947 Packard Clipper Background role
Details

Tove Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “Tuvė” and “Tūve Jansone. Nezināmais stāsts”.

Also known as
  • Tuvė
  • Tūve Jansone. Nezināmais stāsts
  • Туве
  • 托芙
  • 토베 얀손
  • טובה
  • Tūve
  • La vida de Tove Jansson
  • A Vida de Tove Jansson
  • 朵貝的愛情繪本
  • ตูเว: กำเนิดมูมิน
  • TOVE/トーベ
+1 more
  • Tove Janssoni rääkimata lugu

Seen Tove?

FAQ

Tove FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Tove?

Tove runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Tove released?

Tove was released on June 4, 2021.

Who directed Tove?

Tove was directed by Zaida Bergroth.

More films by Zaida Bergroth

Who is in the cast of Tove?

Tove stars Alma Pöysti as Tove Jansson, Kajsa Ernst as Signe 'Ham' Jansson and Robert Enckell as Viktor 'Faffan' Jansson, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Tove make at the box office?

Tove grossed $96,182 worldwide on a budget of $3.6 million.

How is Tove rated?

Tove has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Tove have a post-credit scene?

No. Tove has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Tove in?

The original language of Tove is Swedish.

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