Holy Smoke
Performance & Direction: Holy Smoke Review
Last updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Holy Smoke (1999) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Holy Smoke features a noteworthy lineup led by Kate Winslet . Supported by the likes of Harvey Keitel and Julie Hamilton , 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: Holy Smoke
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1999, Holy Smoke is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Jane Campion. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kate Winslet.
Ending Explained: Holy Smoke
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Jane Campion, Holy Smoke attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Kate Winslet, 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 comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Holy Smoke reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Holy Smoke?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Holy Smoke
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.8M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Holy Smoke Budget
The estimated production budget for Holy Smoke is $15.0M. 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: Holy Smoke
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Holy Smoke Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Apple TV StoreHoly Smoke Parents Guide & Age Rating
1999 AdvisoryWondering about Holy Smoke age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Holy Smoke is 115 minutes (1h 55m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, Holy Smoke is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1999 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holy Smoke worth watching?
Holy Smoke is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Holy Smoke parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Holy Smoke identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Holy Smoke?
The total duration of Holy Smoke is 115 minutes, which is approximately 1h 55m long.
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How Holy Smoke Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Holy Smoke
**_The power of a whoa-man to turn even the most hardened male into a loaf of bread_** A young woman from Sydney (Kate Winslet) becomes a follower of a guru in Delhi, so her family hires a top deprogrammer (Harvey Keitel) to liberate her from the cult’s brainwashing, which is carried out at an isolated cabin in the Outback. "Holy Smoke" (1999) is similar to “The Piano” from six years prior (also starring Keitel), which isn’t surprising since it was made by the same writer/director. Both are adult-oriented drama/romances, but this one is set in the modern day and is just as much a quirky comedy. There are numerous highlights, including the charisma of the two stars, Kate’s voluptuousness (she was 22 during shooting, almost 23), the breathtaking scenery, the humor in which every Australian is goofy or eccentric, the beauty of Sophie Lee (Yvonne), insights on male/female relationships and the power of a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, I found the last act tedious; it needed reworked to make it more compelling. Also, are we to seriously believe that the woman from the first act, who swoons over a charismatic cult-leader in a patriarchal society, is the same one in the last act? _Why Sure!_ Lastly, the film flirts with interesting commentary on serious cult indoctrination, such as the Manson family, Koresh’s Branch Davidians and Jim Jones’ Peoples Temple, yet discards it for: Cult brainwashing, what cult brainwashing? I suppose the Campion sisters were shooting for amusing irony. The movie runs 1 hour, 55 minutes, and was shot in Sydney, Australia, and 1000 miles west in Hawker, Finders Ranges (the Outback scenes), which is located in southeast South Australia. The Indian sequences were done in New Delhi and Pushkar in north-central India. GRADE: B-
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.
