Will-o'-the-Wisp (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Will-o'-the-Wisp is a 2023 sci-fi musical starring Joel Branco as Alfredo 2069, André Cabral and Teresa Madruga. It runs 1 hour 7 minutes and earned $23,553 worldwide. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 7m (67 min)
- Original language
-
Portuguese
- Studio
- Strand Releasing
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Will-o'-the-Wisp About?
The premise of Will-o'-the-Wisp without spoilers.
This charming Portuguese film follows Prince Alfredo, who leaves his royal obligations behind to pursue his passion for firefighting. He unexpectedly finds himself falling for his colleague, Afonso, as they face perilous situations together. Amidst the excitement and danger, their burgeoning feelings challenge the conventions of duty and desire, all set to a vibrant backdrop of music, magic, and humor.
Will-o'-the-Wisp Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay interest
- male nudity
- male frontal nudity
- male rear nudity
- male explicit nudity
- interracial gay sex
- male pubic hair
- male full frontal nudity
- ejaculation
- gay sex
- gay kiss
- uncircumsized penis
+38 more Show fewer
- male genitals
- gay erotica
- limp penis
- black male white male relationship
- male male dance
- gay
- gay attraction
- gay fireman
- gay bearded man
- gay black male
- gay males talk about sex
- pubic hair
- gay prince
- gay character
- gay theme
- gay cinema
- gay man
- gay protagonist
- gay relationship
- gay youth
- gay romance
- gay son
- fireman
- locker room
- oral sex
- homoerotism
- clothed male naked male scene
- male sensuality
- father son relationship
- close up of penis and testicles
- camera focus on penis
- prosthetic penis
- firehouse
- firefighter
- reference to francis bacon
- reference to caravaggio
- sexual tension
- bubble butt
Will-o'-the-Wisp Cast & Characters
Joel Branco leads the cast as Alfredo 2069, with André Cabral as Afonso and Teresa Madruga as Ama.
- Joel Branco as Alfredo 2069
- André Cabral as Afonso
- Teresa Madruga as Ama
- Cláudia Jardim as Comandante
Also Starring in Will-o'-the-Wisp
· 6 more- Joana Barrios Bombeira Otília
- João Reis Moreira Bombeiro
- Miguel Loureiro Eduardo
- João Villas-Boas Bombeiro
- Margarida Vila-Nova Teresa
- Mauro Costa
Will-o'-the-Wisp Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Will-o'-the-Wisp 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Will-o'-the-Wisp Echo Score Breakdown
Will-o'-the-Wisp presents a daring blend of queer satire, musical interludes, and visual flamboyance that divides opinion. Critics commend its idiosyncratic ambition and striking imagery, while noting tonal inconsistency and uneven pacing. Viewer reactions echo this split, with some praising its boldness and others finding the execution clumsy and the humor repetitive. The film ultimately offers a provocative, if uneven, experience that may appeal to niche audiences more than mainstream viewers.
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 direction and visual craft, the film showcases striking color palettes and inventive set pieces that many reviewers find compelling. Critics highlight its eye‑candy and daring composition, though some point to a disjointed, installation‑like feel. User comments acknowledge the film’s aesthetic flair despite occasional roughness. The overall impression is that the artistic execution leans toward strong, albeit not flawless, craftsmanship.
- Character & Emotion 62
When assessing performances, the acting is described as uneven, with occasional charismatic moments amid broader amateurishness. Critics mention a semi‑professional vibe that fits the film’s tone, while a user notes a single standout character amidst generally weak portrayals. The political and emotional stakes are present but often blurred by the film’s chaotic style, resulting in a mixed evaluation of character depth and resonance.
- Story & Flow 55
The narrative structure is frequently cited as fragmented and non‑linear, alternating between satire, musical set‑pieces, and thematic digressions. Reviewers appreciate the originality of the premise yet criticize uneven pacing and a lack of cohesive plot development. Some viewers find the dreamlike progression intriguing, but many describe it as meandering, leading to a lukewarm assessment of storytelling effectiveness.
- Sensory Experience 70
The sensory experience, especially the soundtrack and visual style, is highlighted as a strong point. Critics praise the bold musical numbers, erotic imagery, and vivid cinematography that reinforce the film’s flamboyant tone. User feedback generally enjoys the auditory and visual elements, though a few find specific musical segments overlong. Overall, the sensory design is regarded as energetic and engaging.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Regarding rewatch potential, the film generates polarized reactions. Some reviewers and users label it a memorable, must‑see oddity that rewards repeated viewings for its layered satire and thematic richness. Others feel the novelty wanes quickly due to uneven execution and limited lasting impact. The consensus suggests a modest but not universal appeal for subsequent watches.
-
IMDb 6.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 41%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
User score 2.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
7179 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Will-o'-the-Wisp Box Office
Will-o'-the-Wisp grossed $23,553 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$23.6K
- International
- $23.6K
Will-o'-the-Wisp Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Will-o'-the-Wisp.
Will-o'-the-Wisp Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Un prince à la caserne” and “Ein Prinz auf der Feuerwache”.
- Also known as
-
- Un prince à la caserne
- Ein Prinz auf der Feuerwache
- Feu follet
- Fuoco fatuo
- 消防站的王子
- Fuego fatuo
- 도깨비불
- Irrlicht
- אור תעתועים
Seen Will-o'-the-Wisp?
Movies Like Will-o'-the-Wisp
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Fireflies, Magical Witches and To Die Like a Man.
Will-o'-the-Wisp FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Will-o'-the-Wisp, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Will-o'-the-Wisp?
Will-o'-the-Wisp runs 1 hour 7 minutes (67 minutes).
When was Will-o'-the-Wisp released?
Will-o'-the-Wisp was released on May 26, 2023.
Who is in the cast of Will-o'-the-Wisp?
Will-o'-the-Wisp stars Joel Branco as Alfredo 2069, André Cabral as Afonso and Teresa Madruga as Ama, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Will-o'-the-Wisp make at the box office?
Will-o'-the-Wisp grossed $23,553 worldwide.
How is Will-o'-the-Wisp rated?
Will-o'-the-Wisp has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does Will-o'-the-Wisp have a post-credit scene?
No. Will-o'-the-Wisp has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Will-o'-the-Wisp in?
The original language of Will-o'-the-Wisp is Portuguese.
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