The Beginner (2018): cast, story & where to watch
2018 · Film · ★ 6.5

Released in 2018, The Beginner is a drama and family film directed by Alexandra Sell, running about 99 minutes.
What it’s about. A coming-of-age tale with a difference about the grumpy doctor Annebarbel Buschhaus donning her ice skates again at the age of 58 after an absence of 40 years. Back on the ice, she tries to revive long suppressed childhood dreams – and makes a new friend, Jolina Kuhn, Berlin’s youth figure skating champion. Through her new friend, Annebarbel begins to open up and break away from her dominant mother.
Who’s in it. The Beginner stars Rainer Bock as Rolf Buschhaus, Annekathrin Bürger as Dr. Irene Hanschke, Stephan Grossmann as Horst Kuhn and Franziska Weisz as Birgit Zernitz, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Beginner has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Beginner page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Beginner tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Beginner (2018)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Beginner change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Beginner worth watching?
- The Beginner holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Beginner?
- The Beginner stars Rainer Bock, Annekathrin Bürger, Stephan Grossmann, Franziska Weisz and Tatja Seibt.
- When was The Beginner released?
- The Beginner was released in 2018, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.
