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Charlotte

Charlotte

An account of German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon living in the south of France between 1941 and 1943.

202192 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Directors
Tahir Rana, Éric Warin
Starring
Keira Knightley, Sam Claflin, Raoul Bhaneja, Hanneke Talbot

The true story of Charlotte Salomon, a young German-Jewish painter who comes of age in Berlin on the eve of the Second World War. Fiercely imaginative and deeply gifted, she dreams of becoming an artist. Her first love applauds her talent, which emboldens her resolve. When anti-Semitic policies inspire violent mobs, she escapes to the safety of the South of France. There she begins to paint again, and finds new love. But her work is interrupted, this time by a family tragedy that reveals an even darker secret. Believing that only an extraordinary act will save her, she embarks on the monumental adventure of painting her life story.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Charlotte?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Charlotte streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Charlotte?

Charlotte earns 2 badges, led by Star-studded and Award Winner.

  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Charlotte worth watching?

Charlotte's Midcredits score is the 54th percentile of all films, from 2.7K ratings across 6 sources. 45% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

54th percentile

Better received than 54% of films

39th percentile among Animation55th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)62nd
Approval (how many liked it)45th

65 /100

62nd percentile of all films

45th percentile among Animation62nd percentile among 2020s

Critics 58 · Audience 65

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.0 — solid but not unanimous.

45% liked it

45th percentile of all films

32nd percentile among Animation47th percentile among 2020s
45% rated it 7–1055% rated it 1–6

Critics 71% · Audience 93%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 3 wins / 6 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

73rd percentile

2.7K ratings across platforms

50th percentile among Animation72nd percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 29% in 30 days

Box office

Domestic gross$19K
Worldwide gross$211K

15th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A well-intentioned animated biopic about a little-known Jewish artist that fails to capture the vibrancy of her actual paintings.

Fans praised

  • tragically beautiful true story and bold introduction to Charlotte Salomon's art
  • expressive animation style merging Chagall-like visuals with raw emotion
  • haunting atmosphere through luminous color and symbolic imagery

Detractors panned

  • lifeless, wooden animation with stiff character motion and thick linework
  • emotionally flat storytelling that rushes past traumatic events
  • factual liberties (grandfather's death) undermine biographical credibility

What stands out

Acting65

Keira Knightley's vocal performance praised for insight and strength, but some find voice work detached

OriginalityDivisive55

Animated biopic format is fresh but execution feels conventional

AtmosphereDivisive55

Haunting beauty in snowfall and premonitions, but robbed of emotional weight

CharactersDivisive50

Charlotte drawn as determined and imaginative by fans; detractors cite shallow, sanitized portrait

Plot and storyDivisive45

Rush through tragedies, episodic roadmap lacking emotional connection

Emotional impactDivisive40

Heartbreaking potential undone by lifeless execution; fans still moved

PacingDivisive35

Quick, inert transitions between tragedies

Dialogue35

Stilted and unemotional exchanges

Watch experience

What is Charlotte like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark.

It takes its time and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moods
MelancholicBittersweetContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its tragic subject with gravity and earnestness, using animation to echo Charlotte's artistic style.
The rideThe film maintains a sustained melancholic and bittersweet register, with the heaviest emotional weight in the final act as Charlotte's fate becomes clear.
StructureThe biography is told in linear order from her time in Berlin through her life in the south of France.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

Haunting · 14% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayHer tragic fate and the beauty of her art leave a lingering melancholy and admiration.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3% (this title)
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

9% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe film follows Charlotte Salomon's life from 1941 to 1943, depicting how external forces (the Holocaust, family tragedy) overwhelm her, ending in her deportation to Auschwitz.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% (this title) · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% (this title) · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsTrauma · 7% of filmsArt · 4% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film follows Charlotte's relentless drive to make art as a way to process profound trauma and find meaning in a world collapsing around her.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of Charlotte's life and art to the Holocaust, focusing on her personal struggle to find purpose through creation.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanDomesticWildernessStylized realism
Orchestral classicalAmbientSupportive music · original score · Michelino Bisceglia
SettingBerlin and the south of France, 1941-1943, during the Holocaust
MusicThe score supports the film's emotional weight without drawing attention away from Charlotte's story.

Content guide

Is Charlotte okay for kids?

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK12A
  • FranceTP

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Charlotte have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Charlotte?

Cast

5 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Keira Knightley
as Charlotte Salomon
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sam Claflin
as Alexander Nagler
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Raoul Bhaneja
as Professor Koch
Hanneke Talbot
as Augusta
Mark Strong
as Alfred Wolfsohn
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jim Broadbent
as Grosspapa
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Henry Czerny
as Dr. Moridis
Eddie Marsan
as Albert Salomon
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Helen McCrory
as Paula Lindberg-Salomon
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Sophie Okonedo
as Ottilie Moore

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Charlotte?

Movies like Charlotte include Lee (2023), The Danish Girl (2015) and Moulin Rouge (1952). Of the 12 closest matches, most are period dramas, and several are stories about artists.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its story type: biopic. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Charlotte?

2.8K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: biopic. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.