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

Universal Language (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Universal Language (2025) movie poster

Universal Language is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Matthew Rankin, starring Rojina Esmaeili as Negin, Pirouz Nemati and Danielle Fichaud. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $306,916 worldwide. Critics gave it 84 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$306.9K
Echo Score
88
Metascore
84
Universal Language (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Matthew Rankin
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
Persian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Universal Language About?

The premise of Universal Language without spoilers.

In a surreal and mysterious interzone between Tehran and Winnipeg, the lives of several characters unexpectedly connect. Two young schoolgirls, Negin and Nazgol, discover a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and attempt to claim it. Simultaneously, Massoud guides a group of increasingly confused tourists through the unfamiliar landscape, as their paths and destinies become intertwined in surprising ways.

Cast & crew

Universal Language Cast & Characters

Rojina Esmaeili leads the cast as Negin, with Pirouz Nemati as Massoud and Danielle Fichaud as Monsieur Castonguay. Directed by Matthew Rankin; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Universal Language

· 15 more
Ratings

Universal Language Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Universal Language 84 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

88 /100

Universal Language Echo Score Breakdown

In Universal Language, the film’s inventive blend of surreal imagery and emotional candor stands out as its core strength. Its direction and visual design consistently evoke a poetic strangeness that many critics found enchanting, while performances and character interactions offer genuine warmth amid absurdist scenarios. The narrative’s triptych structure introduces engaging thematic threads, though some viewers found its pacing and final act’s obliqueness uneven. Overall, the film leaves a memorable impression through its unique vision and humanistic undertones.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Universal Language excels in crafting a poetic and offbeat visual landscape. Its production design emphasizes everyday spaces rendered momentarily magical, and the editing balances whimsical vignettes with deliberate pacing. The film’s artful choices consistently reinforce its surreal tone and contribute to a distinct cinematic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film delivers nuanced moments of human connection. Performances convey understated empathy, and the interplay between absurd humor and heartfelt interaction leaves viewers with a sense of warmth. Character arcs unfold with subtlety, offering moments of sincerity that reinforce the film’s themes of compassion and shared experience.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, Universal Language offers a highly original triptych of narratives that may feel uneven in places. The film’s structure rewards attentive viewing but occasionally struggles with narrative thrust, particularly in its oblique final act. While engagement remains high through whimsical concepts, some viewers may find the plot’s rhythm and clarity vary across segments.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s dry and spartan sound design supports its understated aesthetic, while the score and soundtrack moments accentuate both whimsy and melancholy. Its visual style blends muted palettes with striking compositions, creating a cohesive atmosphere. The sensory elements consistently enhance the film’s mood and reinforce its signature blend of absurdity and reflection.

  • Rewatch Factor 90

    When it comes to rewatch value, Universal Language benefits from layers of subtle detail that reveal themselves on repeat viewings. Its intricate visual motifs and thematic connections grow clearer with each revisiting, rewarding patience. The film’s blend of humor and pathos continues to resonate, ensuring lasting appeal and a strong impulse to experience it again.

Box office

Universal Language Box Office

Universal Language grossed $306,916 worldwide. $215,249 came from the US and Canada and $91,667 (30%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$306.9K

US & Canada
$215.2K
International
$91.7K
US & Canada 70% Rest of the world 30%
Details

Universal Language Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “آواز بوقلمون” and “Avaz boughalamoune”.

Also known as
  • آواز بوقلمون
  • Avaz boughalamoune
  • 大同世界
  • 加拿大有個小波斯
  • 유니버설 랭귀지
  • Mowa wspólna
  • Универсальный язык
  • 共同的语言
  • Evrensel Dil

Seen Universal Language?

FAQ

Universal Language FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Universal Language?

Universal Language runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Universal Language released?

Universal Language was released on February 14, 2025.

Who directed Universal Language?

Universal Language was directed by Matthew Rankin.

More films by Matthew Rankin

Who is in the cast of Universal Language?

Universal Language stars Rojina Esmaeili as Negin, Pirouz Nemati as Massoud and Danielle Fichaud as Monsieur Castonguay, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Universal Language make at the box office?

Universal Language grossed $306,916 worldwide ($215,249 domestic, $91,667 international).

How is Universal Language rated?

Universal Language has 84 on Metacritic.

Does Universal Language have a post-credit scene?

No. Universal Language has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Universal Language in?

The original language of Universal Language is Persian.

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