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Waiting for the Barbarians 2020

In a remote frontier settlement, a seasoned Magistrate looks forward to a peaceful retirement from his duties along the border. His expectations are disrupted by the arrival of a shrewd Colonel, who brings unsettling news and unsettling actions. The Magistrate is then compelled to examine the oppressive nature of the empire he serves and question his own values as he witnesses the consequences of its power.

In a remote frontier settlement, a seasoned Magistrate looks forward to a peaceful retirement from his duties along the border. His expectations are disrupted by the arrival of a shrewd Colonel, who brings unsettling news and unsettling actions. The Magistrate is then compelled to examine the oppressive nature of the empire he serves and question his own values as he witnesses the consequences of its power.

Does Waiting for the Barbarians have end credit scenes?

No!

Waiting for the Barbarians does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Waiting for the Barbarians

Explore the complete cast of Waiting for the Barbarians, 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 Waiting for the Barbarians

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


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

56

Waiting for the Barbarians combines disciplined visual craft with conscientious performances yet struggles to sustain dramatic momentum. Direction and cinematography evoke a stark outpost under siege, while a subdued score at times feels heavy-handed. Performances, particularly by Mark Rylance, lend emotional depth, though supporting characters often seem underdeveloped. The narrative unfolds at a deliberately languorous pace that yields intermittent engagement. Ultimately, the film delivers thematic resonance about imperialism but falls short of cohesive storytelling, resulting in a moderately mixed impression.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Waiting for the Barbarians

75
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates proficient direction and striking production design that frame its frontier setting with disciplined clarity. Cinematography often highlights the desert’s stark textures, though the visual style occasionally leans toward excessive aestheticization. Editing choices reinforce the measured rhythm but sometimes detract from narrative drive. Overall, the craft is assured yet uneven.

65
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, Mark Rylance delivers a nuanced performance that anchors the film’s moral conflict. Supporting roles, notably Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson, offer moments of forceful presence but remain underutilized. Character depth fluctuates, with some individuals feeling one-dimensional. Emotional resonance arises intermittently, shaped primarily by the lead’s restrained portrayal.

45
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the narrative presents an intriguing premise about imperial power and resistance but falters in pacing and coherence. The deliberate tempo yields intermittent engagement, with extended sequences that test narrative momentum. Original themes surface intermittently, yet the plot often feels underdeveloped and overly simplified. Overall, the flow is uneven and occasionally disengaging.

60
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s visual palette is cohesive, emphasizing muted tones that reflect its austere setting. The score supports tense moments but occasionally feels overwrought, while sound design underscores scenes of violence with clarity. Visual and auditory elements align to reinforce the film’s tone, though isolated moments lack distinctive impact. Overall, the sensory dimension is effective but restrained.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s deliberate pacing and moral introspection may limit its replay value for general audiences. The austere tone and intermittent narrative momentum reduce the appeal of subsequent viewings. Thematic resonance about colonialism retains some interest for viewers invested in its subject matter, but the lack of sustained dramatic engagement constrains lasting appeal. Overall, rewatch potential remains modest.

Metacritic

52

Metascore

6.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

54%

TOMATOMETER

review

60%

User Score

TMDB

59

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.0

From 4 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.88/5

From 8 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Waiting for the Barbarians Movie Quiz

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Waiting for the Barbarians Quiz: Test your knowledge of the film 'Waiting for the Barbarians' with this 10-question quiz.

What is The Magistrate's primary role in the unnamed Empire?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Waiting for the Barbarians

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Read the complete plot summary of Waiting for the Barbarians, 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.


In the harsh landscapes of an unnamed Empire’s desert frontier, the position of The Magistrate is marked by a fragile peace, meticulously maintained through years of diplomatic skill. However, this precarious balance is shattered by the arrival of Colonel Joll, a figure shrouded in mystery and malice, whose actions are driven by a calculated agenda emanating from the Empire’s core. As tensions rise, The Magistrate struggles to appease Colonel Joll, only to find his efforts rebuffed as the Colonel remains steadfast in his brutal pursuit for the so-called truth— resorting to cruelty that targets an innocent man and his nephew, falsely accused of sheep rustling.

The Magistrate is left bewildered by Colonel Joll’s ruthless tactics, which escalate to the horrifying spectacle of a tortured nephew being forced back to his tribe. The repercussions are dire; a number of women and elderly men are unjustly taken as “prisoners of war.” Following Colonel Joll’s departure, The Magistrate is compelled to promptly release these captives, sending them back to their loved ones.

Months later, a stark reminder of these brutalities manifests in the form of a former prisoner, now reduced to begging on the streets. This woman, bearing the scars of her torture—two broken ankles and an invisible trauma—embodies the cruelty of the Empire. In an act of compassion, The Magistrate provides her with food, shelter, and medical care, but some soldiers misinterpret his kindness, believing he harbors lustful intentions and wishes to keep her as a concubine. As The Magistrate learns of her tragic history, which includes the loss of her father, she ultimately decides to return to her people, and he respects her choice.

In a desperate attempt to reconcile with the nomads wronged by Colonel Joll’s actions, The Magistrate embarks on a treacherous journey through the unforgiving desert mountains. Although he initially faces hostility from the tribesmen, his good deeds and reputation as a just leader afford him mercy, allowing him to escape severe consequences.

Upon his return, he discovers that Officer Mandel, Colonel Joll’s ruthless subordinate, has taken command of the fort. Without warning, The Magistrate finds himself arrested on charges of treason, stripped of his official position, and forced to contend with the devastating fallout of Colonel Joll’s schemes and the Empire’s dark complicity.

As The Magistrate emerges from this ordeal, he encounters brutality from Mandel’s soldiers while attempting to support those suffering under their rule. Despite his efforts to mitigate their suffering, he is met with violence, leaving him bewildered and exposed. He is hauled in for questioning, accused of treason due to his association with the nomadic girl, an absurdity that leads to a public shaming where his home and belongings are callously seized by the authorities. Meanwhile, Colonel Joll sets out with a formidable military force, intent on annihilating the mountain nomads.

In the wake of these horrifying events, The Magistrate becomes a mere shadow of his former self. Disheveled and destitute, he faces rejection from his own people until a former servant shows him a sliver of compassion, offering food and shelter amidst the chaos.

The ramifications of Colonel Joll’s military crusade manifest as the disparate nomadic tribes unite, forming a formidable “barbarian” army against their oppressors. A somber procession unfolds, showcasing the mutilated body of one of Colonel Joll’s men being brought to the fort, leading Officer Mandel to evacuate hastily with his troops. As the remaining soldiers decide to scatter, they commit horrific acts of violence against the townspeople.

Later, Colonel Joll returns, apparently with only a handful of survivors. The Magistrate, now deeply fractured, encounters the Colonel in his coach, appearing detached from the grim reality they face. Their departure is marred by skirmishes, where they are met with these rocks from the local populace.

Wandering through the ravaged town, The Magistrate witnesses an unsettling sight: boys playing at sentry duty next to scarecrow soldiers positioned at the fort’s entrance. In his mind, he is drawn back to thoughts of the nomadic girl, who now traverses the vast desert. Suddenly disrupted by a distant rumble, a shadowy figure emerges, accompanied by a rising cloud of dust—a harbinger of a large army of nomadic warriors, poised to descend upon the town and reclaim their strength.

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

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Official Trailer

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