Is Birth Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Birth is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 100 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Birth Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2004, Birth emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of It took Anna 10 years to recover from the death of her husband, Sean, but now she's on the verge of marrying her boyfriend, Joseph, and finally moving on. Unlike standard genre fare, Birth attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Birth features a noteworthy lineup led by Nicole Kidman . Supported by the likes of Cameron Bright and Danny Huston , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Birth (2004) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Birth Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Birth is a Drama, Mystery film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. It took Anna 10 years to recover from the death of her husband, Sean, but now she's on the verge of marrying her boyfriend, Joseph, and finally moving on. However, on the night of her engagement party, a young boy named Sean turns up, saying he is her dead husband reincarnated. At first she ignores the child, but his knowledge of her former husband's life is uncanny, leading her to believe that he might be telling the truth. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Birth Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Birth concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Birth reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Birth?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Birth Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $23.9M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Birth Budget
The estimated production budget for Birth is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Birth
- Nicole Kidman – Anna
- Cameron Bright – Young Sean
- Danny Huston – Joseph
- Lauren Bacall – Eleanor
- Alison Elliott – Laura
Top Highlights
Nicole KidmanAnna
Cameron BrightYoung Sean
Danny HustonJoseph
Lauren BacallEleanor
Alison ElliottLaura
Arliss HowardBob
Michael DesautelsSean
Anne HecheClara
Peter StormareClifford
Ted LevineMr. Conte
Where to Watch Birth Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Birth is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, Birth stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2004 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birth movie hit or flop?
Birth has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Birth worth watching?
Birth is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Birth online?
Birth may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Birth
How Birth Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Birth
You know I loved Sean so much, and its been so long that I still can't get him out of my system. I remember when it was released in 2004, there was a big hurrah about "the" bath scene, many vitriolic complaints about how slow it was, how not scary it was et al. Birth is many wonderful film making things, of course not all of those things will resonate or enthral many of the movie watching populace, yet there is such craft on both sides of the camera here, and an atmospherically ambiguous bloodline pulsing throughout, that marks it out as a particularly striking film. Plot finds Nicole Kidman as Anna, who is about to be re-married but finds her world tipped upside down when a young boy (Cameron Bright) arrives on the scene and announces he is the reincarnation of her dead first husband... Director Jonathan Glazer and his co-writers Jean-Claude Carrière & Milo Addica are purposely being vague, I mean lets face it, the topic to hand is exactly that, vague, and ripe for countless hours of discussion. The film simmers along deftly, meditations on love, grief and anger are skilfully portrayed by all involved. Even a birthing tunnel metaphor doesn't come off as self indulgent, from the off Glazer wants and gets those interested in the story to buy into the hypnotic qualities on show. To jump on board with Anna's fragility while all around her battle for rhyme or reason with her mindset. In truth it's a hard sell as a piece of entertainment, there's still today, over a decade since it was released, people miffed that the hinted at supernatural elements are not key to the narrative. While the thin line of good and bad taste - and maybe even pretentiousness - is being tested by the makers, but the charges of Birth being dull are just wrong. It never shows its hand, the mystery always remains strong, while Kidman and Lauren Bacall are reason enough to admire the acting craft on show. Hated by many, inducing even anger in some quarters, Birth is a tantalising picture. A conundrum designed to get a response, for better or worse. 8/10
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
