Performance & Direction: The Birthday Party Review
Last updated: February 3, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Birthday Party (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this TV Movie.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any TV Movie is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Birthday Party features a noteworthy lineup led by Kenneth Cranham . Supported by the likes of Joan Plowright and Harold Pinter , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: The Birthday Party
Quick Plot Summary: The Birthday Party is a TV Movie, Drama, Mystery film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Birthday Party
Ending Breakdown: The Birthday Party concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to tv movie 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 tv movie themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Birthday Party reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Birthday Party?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy TV Movies films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Birthday Party
All Cast & Crew →
The Birthday Party Parents Guide & Age Rating
1987 AdvisoryWondering about The Birthday Party age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Birthday Party is 110 minutes (1h 50m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Birthday Party is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Birthday Party worth watching?
The Birthday Party is definitely worth watching if you enjoy TV Movie movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Birthday Party parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Birthday Party identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Birthday Party?
The total duration of The Birthday Party is 110 minutes, which is approximately 1h 50m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
