Monday Morning Maybe

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

Poster for Lord of the Ants

Lord of the Ants

Seen it?

2022 | 134 min | Drama, History

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Belfast or Blue Moon, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
What might put you off
It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Based on true events of the late 60s in Italy, poet, playwright and myrmecologist Aldo Braibanti is prosecuted and sentenced to prison for the love he shares with his barely-of-age pupil and friend, Ettore. Amidst a chorus of voices of accusers, supporters and a largely hypocritical public, a single committed journalist takes on the task of piecing together the truth, between secrecy and desire, facing suspicion and censorship in the process.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    63% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 3K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing

Trailer

More like this

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

Cast & crew

Directed by Gianni Amelio

  • Luigi Lo CascioAldo Braibanti
  • Elio GermanoEnnio Scribani
  • Leonardo MalteseEttore Tagliaferri
  • Sara SerraioccoGraziella
  • Anna Caterina AntonacciMaddalena Tagliaferri
  • Rita BoselloSusanna, madre di Aldo
  • Davide VecchiRiccardo Tagliaferri
  • Maria CaleffiCarla
  • Roberto InfurnaManrico
  • Valerio BinascoPM