Performance & Direction: The Breadwinner Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Breadwinner (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Breadwinner features a noteworthy lineup led by Saara Chaudry . Supported by the likes of Soma Bhatia and Noorin Gulamgaus , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Breadwinner (2017) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.8/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: The Breadwinner
Quick Plot Summary: The Breadwinner is a Animation, War, Drama, Family film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The protagonist undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Breadwinner
Ending Breakdown: The Breadwinner resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to animation resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of The Breadwinner demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Breadwinner Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Breadwinner uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a animation, war, drama, family film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Breadwinner successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Breadwinner?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Animation cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre filmmaking
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: The Breadwinner
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $312.4K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: The Breadwinner
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Breadwinner Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Breadwinner Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about The Breadwinner age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Breadwinner is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Breadwinner stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2017 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Breadwinner worth watching?
The Breadwinner is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 7.8/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Breadwinner parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Breadwinner identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Breadwinner?
The total duration of The Breadwinner is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Breadwinner
Another super flick from Cartoon Saloon! After watching and enjoying the Irish Folklore Trilogy from the studio, I simply had to check out their one other film to date: 'The Breadwinner'. I actually think that's kind of a boring title to be honest, but thankfully the film is anything but. It follows the lines that you'd, or at least I'd, expect given the subject matter, but it still adds extra weight to the story alongside plenty of heart. Saara Chaudry leads the voice cast excellently, with those behind the young Canadian putting in solid performances too. The animation, as usual for this Irish animation company, is exquisite. I'm eager to check out Cartoon Saloon's next film, with 'My Father's Dragon' due out at some point this year. Four films in, they haven't put a foot wrong with their releases yet. This 2017 production is very good - 8/10 from me, but it's a borderline 9/10 tbh.
"Parvana" is a young girl - only eleven years old - who is forced to use all of her wits and intelligence to help her family survive once her father is arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Her number one problem is, though, that girls are not even allowed outside of their homes without a male relative, much less permitted to work on the streets where she (recently shorn and pretending to be a boy) regales the curious with some fantastic tales of mystery and romance to try to make some money! She now has to tread a very fine line between keeping the cash coming in and avoiding the authorities, whilst she simultaneously works on a plan to try and free her dad. This is a cracking animation that tells a strong story with an engaging lead character who elicits sympathy, certainly, but who also demonstrates strength as her ingenuity is constantly tested by this intolerant administration as she simply refuses to be defeated! The style of the drawing is charming, and the score adds well to a potent story of determination, love and loyalty that is really a most enjoyable watch.
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.
