🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: George Miller
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (132K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A lonely narratologist buys a bottle in Turkey, accidentally unleashes Idris Elba with pointy ears, and then they mostly just chat about love while occasionally battling Wi-Fi problems.
🍿 Three Thousand Years of Longing: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Academic Encounter
Dr. Alithea Binnie, a narratologist, attends a conference in Istanbul. Content with her solitary life, she is a scholar of stories and mythology. While there, she purchases a unique glass bottle from a local shop.

The Djinn’s Offer
Back in her hotel room, Alithea cleans the bottle and inadvertently releases a Djinn. The Djinn offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. However, Alithea is hesitant, aware of the many cautionary tales associated with wishes.

Stories of the Past
To convince her, the Djinn recounts stories from his past, spanning three thousand years. He tells of his encounters with historical figures and the consequences of love and desire. These stories form a significant portion of the film, showcasing vibrant visuals and intricate details.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alithea (Tilda Swinton): A solitary narratologist who encounters a Djinn and must decide whether to make three wishes.
- The Djinn (Idris Elba): An ancient being who offers Alithea three wishes in exchange for his freedom, recounting his past through fantastical stories.
- The Queen of Sheba (Aamito Lagum): A powerful queen who becomes entangled in a love affair with the Djinn, leading to his imprisonment.
- King Solomon (Nicolas Mouawad): A wise and powerful king who interferes with the Djinn’s love for the Queen of Sheba, resulting in the Djinn’s banishment.
- Gülten (Ece Yüksel): A young slave girl who captures the Djinn’s heart, leading to a tragic romance and his subsequent imprisonment.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Alithea Binnie: “There is no story about wishing that is not a cautionary tale.” – Alithea, a scholar of stories, expresses her skepticism about the Djinn’s offer and the dangerous nature of wishes.
- Alithea Binnie: “Love is a gift. It’s a gift of oneself given freely. It’s not something one can ever ask for.” – Alithea reflects on the true nature of love and its selfless characteristics.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $8,286,741
- Worldwide Gross: $20,282,422
💥 Three Thousand Years of Longing Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely loved this movie! It’s like a grown-up fairy tale with gorgeous visuals. Seeing Idris Elba as a Djinn was just captivating. Some parts felt a bit slow, but the stories he told were so interesting that I was always drawn back in. I especially enjoyed the Queen of Sheba segment – so beautiful and tragic! Definitely a movie that made me think and feel.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of fantasy and mythology”
- “Viewers interested in stories about stories”
- “Those who enjoy visually rich and artistic films”
- “People who appreciate Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some scenes of nudity”
- “Thematic elements involving love and desire”
- “Brief depictions of violence”
- “Fantasy themes that may not be suitable for all audiences”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “A visually stunning film with strong performances from Swinton and Elba, though the narrative occasionally meanders. Miller’s direction is masterful, creating a unique and engaging cinematic experience, even if the story doesn’t always fully connect.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “While the film boasts breathtaking visuals and thought-provoking themes, it struggles to maintain a consistent pace. Swinton and Elba deliver captivating performances, but the disjointed narrative ultimately prevents it from reaching its full potential.
Audience Reactions
Visually breathtaking and captivating storytelling made this a unique cinematic experience.: Viewers consistently praised the stunning visuals, Elba’s portrayal of the Djinn, and the film’s exploration of love and longing.
I was completely captivated by the rich storytelling.: The unique blend of fantasy, drama, and romance.
Overall Consensus: While the movie garnered praise for its visuals and performances, some found the pacing slow and the narrative disjointed. However, most agree it offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Cinematographer John Seale, known for his work on films like ‘The English Patient’ and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, came out of retirement for the second time to shoot this movie, having previously retired after ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’.”
- “The film is based on the 1994 short story ‘The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye’ by A.S. Byatt.”
🖥️ How to Watch Three Thousand Years of Longing?
As of October 2024, “Three Thousand Years of Longing” is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Three Thousand Years of Longing, you might like these similar films:
- The Fall (2006): Features a fantastical story-within-a-story structure with vibrant visuals and a focus on storytelling.
- Arabian Nights (2000): A miniseries containing different tales from Arabian Nights with a focus on stories of Djinns and magical entities.
- Big Fish (2003): Explores the power of storytelling and how narratives shape our perception of reality, creating a whimsical and imaginative world.
🛒 Three Thousand Years of Longing Related Products
- Three Thousand Years of Longing [Blu-ray]: Own the visually stunning film in high-definition with exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Dive deeper into the making of the movie with interviews and featurettes.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Three Thousand Years of Longing – Djinn: A stylized collectible figure of Idris Elba’s Djinn character. A great addition to any Funko Pop! collection or movie memorabilia.
- The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye: Fairy Tales for Grown-Ups: Read A.S. Byatt’s original collection of short stories. Explore the themes and ideas that inspired the film in more depth.
- Three Thousand Years of Longing – Movie Poster: High-quality print of the film’s theatrical poster. Decorate your space with a reminder of this visually stunning film.
🎧 Soundtrack
Three Thousand Years of Longing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Cautionary Tale” – performed by Matteo Bocelli, Tom Holkenborg
- “The Queen of Sheba” – performed by Original Score
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
You can stream “Three Thousand Years of Longing” on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. It’s available for rent or purchase.
The film follows a narratologist who encounters a Djinn in Istanbul. He offers her three wishes, but she is wary due to her knowledge of cautionary tales. The Djinn then shares stories from his past to convince her.
Reviews are mixed, with some praising its visuals and unique storytelling, while others found it slow-paced and lacking emotional depth. Whether you’ll enjoy it depends on your preferences for fantasy, romance, and philosophical themes.
🔥 Bonus Content
Part3 Three Thousand Years of Longing #movie #youtubeshorts #film #motivation
Check out this captivating clip from Three Thousand Years of Longing! It’s got over 9 million views – clearly, people are loving this snippet. What do you think, does it make you want to watch the whole movie?
Man remained trapped in a magic bottle for 3000 years😮 Part-3
Ever wonder what it’s like to be stuck in a bottle for 3000 years? This short clip from ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ gives you a taste! The visuals are amazing. Worth a watch to get a feel for the movie.
This one of the best movies in my mind it contains history love human ugliness superpowers reality
Is ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ truly one of the best movies ever? This short clip highlighting history, love, and superpowers might convince you! Check it out and tell me if you agree – the music alone is worth it.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.