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.
What Is the Story of The Burial?
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.
How Is The Burial Structured?
- 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: When a handshake deal goes sour, funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Directed by Margaret Betts, this 2023 drama film stars Tommy Lee Jones (Jeremiah O'Keefe), alongside Jamie Foxx as Willie E. Gary, Jurnee Smollett as Mame Downes, Alan Ruck as Mike Allred. Rated 7.1/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Burial?
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.
Margaret Betts's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Tommy Lee Jones (Jeremiah O'Keefe)'s journey. Gary to save his family business.
How Does Tommy Lee Jones (Jeremiah O'Keefe)'s Story End?
- Tommy Lee Jones: Tommy Lee Jones's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Margaret Betts delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 2h 6m runtime.
- Jamie Foxx (Willie E. Gary): Jamie Foxx's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Jurnee Smollett (Mame Downes): Jurnee Smollett's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
Is The Burial Based on a True Story?
Yes — The Burial draws from real events. The ending reflects documented outcomes, though Margaret Betts has taken creative liberties in dramatizing specific scenes for cinematic impact.
What Does the Ending of The Burial Mean?
The ending of The Burial ties together the narrative threads involving Tommy Lee Jones. Margaret Betts chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes. Based on 616 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.
The Burial Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Burial Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Burial is inspired by documented historical events. Directed by Margaret Betts and starring Tommy Lee Jones, this drama, history film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Burial
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.
