Match Point
Performance & Direction: Match Point Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Match Point (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. 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 Match Point features a noteworthy lineup led by Jonathan Rhys Meyers . Supported by the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Emily Mortimer , 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: Match Point
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2005, Match Point is a Drama, Romance, Thriller film directed by Woody Allen. 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 Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Chris, a former tennis pro, takes a job as an instructor and befriends his wealthy young student, Tom. After being introduced to his family, Chris is soon engaged to Tom's sister, Chloe. Despite the professional and financial advantages that this relationship affords him, Chris becomes obsessed with Tom's fiancee, American actress Nola. The screenplay takes time to develop Jonathan Rhys Meyers'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. Jonathan Rhys Meyers'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.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: Match Point
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Woody Allen, Match Point 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 involving Jonathan Rhys Meyers, 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 Match Point reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Match Point?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jonathan Rhys Meyers or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Match Point
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $85.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Match Point Budget
The estimated production budget for Match Point 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: Match Point
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Match Point Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoMatch Point Parents Guide & Age Rating
2005 AdvisoryWondering about Match Point age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Match Point is 124 minutes (2h 4m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Match Point is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2005 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Match Point worth watching?
Match Point is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Match Point parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Match Point identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Match Point?
The total duration of Match Point is 124 minutes, which is approximately 2h 4m long.
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How Match Point Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Match Point
_Match Point, or, Crime & Misdemeanors, Except I Changed Like 4 Things, And the Mistress is Really Hot This Time_
Declining tennis pro "Wilton" (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is looking for a job at a swanky London club teaching the well-healed folks like "Tom" (Matthew Goode) and his sister "Chloe" (Emily Mortimer) to whom, after a rather brief courtship, he ultimately gets married. He gets used to her standard of living but isn't really that enamoured of the woman herself. That scenario only worsens when he meets budding actress "Nola" (Scarlett Johansson) - who was dating "Tom" and they start to have an affair. With his wife determined to start a family and a mistress who is becoming increasingly obsessive, poor old "Wilton" must resort to some desperate measures! What possessed Wood Allen to cast JRM here? He's so wooden he makes Victor Mature look animated. Sure, he's got the eye-candy look but as an actor he's terrible. Luckily, that's more than compensated for by strong efforts from Johansson and from Mortimer who both manage their roles with considerably greater aplomb. The former illustrates her journey from independently minded woman to a frenetically preoccupied one quite convincingly as the story develops, and Mortimer likewise conveys something of the visceral and turbulent nature of aspiring motherhood. It takes a look at the lives of the offspring of the wealthy in a slightly less procedural fashion, too. The benign parents - Brian Cox and Penelope Wilton - are not your stereotypically doting parents, they expect him to work for his new found riches and she, especially, tends to speak as she finds. The denouement is my kind of conclusion, even if it is a little on the far-fetched side, and there's a degree of concluding satisfaction to be had here that I quite enjoyed. I'm still not sure why she didn't marry "Tom" though!
This is one I've seen a handful of times before and while I liked it, I wasn't as love with it when I first saw. Still a solid suspense-drama with fine acting (but not great), it is of course being a Woody Allen film, very talky. The suspense does ratchet up in the final 15-minutes and the theme of luck is well done. There is one gaping plot hole in regards to Nola's pregnancy which any autopsy would catch coupled with Chris's initial denial of the affair when talking with the police, I can kind of explain it away with lazy police work I guess. **4.25/5** On a side note, while yes Scarlet Johansson is gorgeous, I actually find Emily Mortimer wildly attractive as well...
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.
