The Photograph
Performance & Direction: The Photograph Review
Last updated: February 1, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Photograph (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. 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 Photograph features a noteworthy lineup led by Issa Rae . Supported by the likes of LaKeith Stanfield and Chanté Adams , 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 Photograph
Quick Plot Summary: The Photograph is a Drama, Romance 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. When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, she leaves her estranged daughter, Mae, hurt, angry and full of questions. When Mae finds a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box, she soon finds herself delving into her mother's early life -- an investigation that leads to an unexpected romance with a rising journalist. 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 Photograph
Ending Breakdown: The Photograph concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, 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 The Photograph reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Photograph?
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 Photograph
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $16.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $20.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Photograph Budget
The estimated production budget for The Photograph is $16.0M. 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 Photograph
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Where to Watch The Photograph Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Zee5
Amazon VideoThe Photograph Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about The Photograph age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Photograph is 106 minutes (1h 46m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Photograph is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2020 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Photograph worth watching?
The Photograph is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Photograph parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Photograph identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Photograph?
The total duration of The Photograph is 106 minutes, which is approximately 1h 46m long.
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How The Photograph Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Photograph
Mae, looking into her late photographer mother's New Orleans past, meets Mike, researching the same story as a journalist. The film journeys between New York and New Orleans and the earlier life of Mae's mother alongside her own. It Stylishly explores relationships and how they can be left unresolved and how the mistakes of our parents influence our own choices.
"Michael" (LaKeith Stanfield - who has great taste in coats/jackets) is a journalist who travels to interview a man who has just lost his wife. During his visit to the man's home he spies a photograph of a girl taken by Chanté Adams ("Christina"). Once back in New Orleans, he tries to track down more work from this photographer and that introduces him to "Mae" (Issa Rae), the assistant curator at a gallery with whom he falls in love. The remainder of this rather ponderous tale takes us through their pretty ordinary courtship and involves a touch too much coincidence for me - in the end it just ends up being a slightly quirky love story with competent performances from the two lead actors. At times the soundtrack is wonderful - soulful and melodic jazz typical of the Louisiana location but otherwise this is just an unremarkable 100 minutes.
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.
