The Square

  • 2017
  • R
  • 151m
movieMx RATING
6.8
1.7K
VERDICT
HIT
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The Square Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 11, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 11, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Square

MovieThe Square
Release Year2017
DirectorRuben Östlund
GenreDrama
Runtime151 minutes
LanguageSV

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Square (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Square are led by Claes Bang . The supporting cast, including Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Square (2017) is generally positive—a solid choice for fans of the genre. With a platform rating of 6.8/10, it currently stands as a HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

The Square stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Drama narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Square has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Square

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, The Square is a Drama film directed by Ruben Östlund. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Claes Bang.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A prestigious Stockholm museum's chief art curator finds himself in times of both professional and personal crisis as he attempts to set up a controversial new exhibit. The screenplay takes time to develop Claes Bang's journey, 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. Claes Bang's 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 Square

The Square Ending Explained: Directed by Ruben Östlund, The Square wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Claes Bang. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of The Square reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch The Square?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Claes Bang or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Square

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $9.5M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT
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Top Cast: The Square

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Where to Watch The Square Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

HuluHulu
Magnolia Selects Amazon ChannelMagnolia Selects Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
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🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
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The Square Parents Guide & Age Rating

2017 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Square age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Square is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Square is 151 minutes (2h 31m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Square is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Square. Rating: 6.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Square worth watching?

The Square is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Square parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Square identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Square?

The total duration of The Square is 151 minutes, which is approximately 2h 31m long.

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How The Square Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Square

🛡️

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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.8
The Square
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-square-401246" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.8</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Square</div></div></a>

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