Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Hole

The Hole

Seen it?

1998 | 95 min | Drama, Romance, Science Fiction

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and sci-fi fans. If you loved Contagion, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Chinese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the final days of the year 1999, almost everyone in Taiwan has died from a strange plague that ravished the island. As rain pours down relentlessly, a single man is stuck with an unfinished plumbing job and a hole in his floor. This results in a very odd relationship with the woman who lives below him.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    85% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $82K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 22K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Tsai Ming-liang

  • Yang Kuei-meiThe Woman Downstairs
  • Lee Kang-shengThe Man Upstairs
  • Miao TianThe Customer at Market
  • Hui-Chin LinNeighbor
  • Lin Kun-hueiThe Kid
  • Tong Hsiang-ChuThe Plumber
  • Chen Shiang-Chyi(voice)
  • Daphne Han(voice)
  • Bo-Chin Wei(voice)
  • Jacques Picoux(voice)