The Past
Performance & Direction: The Past Review
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Past (2013) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Past features a noteworthy lineup led by Bérénice Bejo . Supported by the likes of Ali Mosaffa and Tahar Rahim , 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 The Past (2013) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Past
Quick Plot Summary: The Past is a Drama, Mystery film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed 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. After four years apart, Ahmad returns to his wife Marie in Paris in order to progress their divorce. During his brief stay, he cannot help noticing the strained relationship between Marie and her daughter Lucie. As he attempts to improve matters between mother and daughter Ahmad unwittingly lifts the lid on a long buried secret... 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 core themes.
Ending Explained: The Past
Ending Breakdown: The Past resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for 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 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Past reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Past?
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
Box Office Collection: The Past
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $11.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $10.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Past Budget
The estimated production budget for The Past is $11.0M. 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.
Top Cast: The Past
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Past Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Apple TV Store
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Past Parents Guide & Age Rating
2013 AdvisoryWondering about The Past age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Past is 130 minutes (2h 10m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Past is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2013 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Past worth watching?
The Past is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Past parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Past identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Past?
The total duration of The Past is 130 minutes, which is approximately 2h 10m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Past
An excellent, painstakingly slow, unveiling of dysfunctional characters and their relationships, where no one escapes unscathed. In spite of a few minor lapses, the script, directing and acting are impeccable. My guess is that anyone over 40 has suffered a relationship with some of these people. I like that Farhadi made no attempt at resolution. In life, there not be. I was completely exhausted by the time the 130 minutes was over.
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.
