The Burial
The Burial Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Burial
| Movie | The Burial |
| Release Year | 2023 |
| Director | Margaret Betts |
| Genre | Drama / History |
| Runtime | 126 minutes (2h 6m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Burial (2023) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. 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 Burial are led by Tommy Lee Jones . The supporting cast, including Jamie Foxx and Jurnee Smollett , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Burial 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 Burial 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 Burial
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2023, The Burial is a Drama, History film directed by Margaret Betts, written by Margaret Betts. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tommy Lee Jones as Jeremiah O'Keefe.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. When a handshake deal goes sour, funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Gary to save his family business. Tempers flare and laughter ensues as the unlikely pair bond while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice. The screenplay takes time to develop Tommy Lee Jones'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 Tommy Lee Jones as Jeremiah O'Keefe in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life. Margaret Betts builds this foundation carefully, and across its 2h 6m runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Tommy Lee Jones's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings Tommy Lee Jones's arc to its natural conclusion. Margaret Betts's direction provides adequate resolution, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: The Burial
The Burial Ending Explained: Directed by Margaret Betts, The Burial resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. 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 Tommy Lee Jones. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Burial reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
The Burial Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Burial Based on a True Story?
The Burial is inspired by documented historical events. As a drama, history film directed by Margaret Betts, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: The Burial uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. Viewers interested in the real history may want to explore historical sources alongside the film.
Who Should Watch The Burial?
Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Tommy Lee Jones or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Burial
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $32.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Burial Budget
The estimated production budget for The Burial is $32.5M. 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.
Where to Watch The Burial Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsThe Burial Parents Guide & Age Rating
2023 AdvisoryWondering about The Burial age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Burial (2023) is 126 minutes (2h 6m). Directed by Margaret Betts, the film runs for 126 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Burial is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2023 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Burial worth watching?
The Burial is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Burial parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Burial identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Burial (2023)?
The runtime of The Burial (2023) is 126 minutes (approximately 2h 6m).
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.
