The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Babylon (2022 film)
Entertainment • Film

Babylon (2022 film)

Babylon is a 2022 American epic period tragicomedy written and directed by Damien Chazelle.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Babylon is a 2022 American epic period tragicomedy written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It follows several characters in early Hollywood during the industry’s transition from silent films to sound films in the late 1920s.

Premise

Babylon follows several interconnected characters in early Hollywood as the film industry shifts from silent productions to sound. The narrative focuses on ambition, career volatility, and the excesses of the era.

Cast and characters

The film features an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. IMDb and other listings describe the main characters as working in different parts of the film industry and nightlife scene.

Production and release

Babylon was written and directed by Damien Chazelle and released in 2022. Rotten Tomatoes lists Paramount Pictures as distributor and gives the runtime as 3 hours 9 minutes.

Reception

Available sources indicate the film received a mixed response and underperformed commercially, although the provided results do not offer a full critical or box-office breakdown from a primary source.

Key facts

  • The film is set in late 1920s Hollywood during the transition from silent cinema to sound cinema.
  • Damien Chazelle wrote and directed the film.
  • The ensemble cast includes Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li.
  • The story centres on multiple characters whose careers rise and fall as Hollywood changes.
  • The film was released in 2022 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was shown in Canadian theatres as part of its international release, and Canadian audiences may encounter it through streaming and home-video platforms rather than a specifically Canadian setting or production identity.

Frequently asked questions

What is Babylon (2022 film) about?
It is about several characters in early Hollywood during the shift from silent films to sound films in the late 1920s.
Who directed Babylon?
Damien Chazelle directed and wrote the film.
Who stars in Babylon?
The ensemble cast includes Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li.
When was Babylon released?
The film was released in 2022.
What genre is Babylon?
It is described as an epic period tragicomedy, and also as a comedy-drama in some listings.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_(2022_film)
    Supports: Director, year, genre, cast, and synopsis of the film.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10640346/
    Supports: Plot description and principal ensemble cast.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/babylon_2022
    Supports: Director, distributor, runtime, genre, release date, and synopsis.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/
    Supports: General film coverage context; not directly used for a specific factual claim here.
  5. Wikipedia — https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_(2022)
    Supports: Runtime, budget, release information, and cast listing.