Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

6 Balloons (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

6 Balloons (2018) movie poster

6 Balloons is a 2018 drama directed by Marja Lewis Ryan, starring Abbi Jacobson as Katie, Dawan Owens and Tim Matheson. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Echo Score
67
Metascore
66
Loading streaming availability…
6 Balloons (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 14m (74 min)
Director
Marja Lewis Ryan
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 6 Balloons About?

The premise of 6 Balloons without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

As night falls in Los Angeles, a sister embarks on a frantic search for her brother, who is battling addiction. Their desperate journey takes them through the city's challenging streets as they race against time, seeking a path to recovery and a chance at a better future.

6 Balloons Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • heroin addict
  • heroin addiction
  • heroin
  • shooting heroin
  • drug addict
  • drug addiction
  • drug use
  • pharmacy
  • public restroom
  • relapse
  • heroin withdrawal
  • drug withdrawal
+14 more
  • surprise birthday party
  • surprise party
  • family relationships
  • brother sister relationship
  • high on drugs
  • high on heroin
  • balloon full of drugs
  • female director
  • track marks
  • drug abuse
  • fireworks
  • addict
  • addiction
  • falling off the wagon
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

6 Balloons Cast & Characters

Abbi Jacobson leads the cast as Katie, with Dawan Owens as Jack and Tim Matheson as Gary. Directed by Marja Lewis Ryan; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

6 Balloons Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave 6 Balloons 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

67 /100

6 Balloons Echo Score Breakdown

In 6 Balloons, the film’s strongest asset lies in its portrayal of familial bonds under the strain of addiction, though its narrative depth is restrained by a lean runtime. Critics highlight the intense, anxiety-laden direction and strong lead performances that convincingly capture the chaos of substance dependence. The plot’s brevity and measured pacing leave some emotional textures underexplored, and the sensory design remains modest. As a result, the film offers a poignant but concise glimpse into the turmoil of enabler dynamics.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of artful execution, the direction stands out for its naturalistic framing and willingness to embrace an anxious tone. Reviews note the film’s stripped-down visual design and measured editing that underscore the unpredictability of addiction. However, the brevity of the visual narrative limits opportunities for more elaborate cinematography or production flourishes. Overall, the craft work maintains a coherent aesthetic without overstaying its welcome.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character development, the lead performances anchor the film with authentic emotional depth. Critics praise the nuanced portrayals of a sister and brother, noting credible chemistry and subtle shifts in sympathy and resentment. The depiction of enabler codependence feels grounded through restrained dialogue and believable reactions. Although secondary figures receive less attention, the central dynamics convey a compelling emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative delivers a focused examination of addiction’s collateral impact but is limited by its condensed structure. Observers commend the film’s original approach to portraying sibling enabler dynamics and its realistic stakes. Yet the 74-minute runtime results in pacing that can feel abrupt and leaves certain emotional threads underdeveloped. In balance, the plot remains coherent but constrained in depth.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In sensory terms, the film employs a restrained sound design and minimalistic score that reinforce its grounded atmosphere. Visual style adopts an understated color palette and hand-held camera work, contributing to an intimate immediacy. While this approach amplifies the tension, it offers few standout auditory or visual flourishes. Consequently, the sensory experience is cohesive yet modest in its production ambitions.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    On rewatch potential, the film’s emotional intensity and realistic portrayal of addiction offer occasional resonance on subsequent viewings. The concise runtime encourages repeat engagement, but the unrelenting tone and limited narrative layers may curb long-term appeal. While the sibling dynamic remains compelling, the absence of richer thematic or sensory detail reduces motivation to revisit. Ultimately, the film holds modest lasting value.

Plot

6 Balloons Plot Summary

What happens in 6 Balloons from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Katie organizes a surprise birthday celebration for her boyfriend, Jack, on the 4th of July. As she decorates, she displays her Type-A personality, meticulously trying to keep everything on track. While her parents, Gayle and Gary, along with friends, work on the preparations, she takes a break to pick up the cake. During this journey, she decides to also collect her brother Seth and his young daughter Ella.

Throughout the movie, Katie experiences vivid hallucinations where she sees Seth and herself struggling as their car fills with water. These visions coincide with an audiobook reading about a woman who fails to sail a boat, ultimately leading to her drowning.

Full summary

The whole story of 6 Balloons, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

6 Balloons Trailers & Videos

The trailer of 6 Balloons.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 6 Balloons?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What holiday is being celebrated during the events of the movie?

Cars

Cars in 6 Balloons

12 cars on screen, including the Toyota RAV4 and the 2015 Ford Focus.

All 12 cars
  • Toyota RAV4 in 6 Balloons Toyota RAV4 Main role
  • 2015 Ford Focus in 6 Balloons 2015 Ford Focus Background role
  • 2003 Honda Accord Coupé in 6 Balloons 2003 Honda Accord Coupé Background role
  • 2014 Infiniti Q50 in 6 Balloons 2014 Infiniti Q50 Background role
Details

6 Balloons Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “H 다이어리” and “6 Baloons”.

Also known as
  • H 다이어리
  • 6 Baloons
  • 6 Μπαλόνια
  • 六个气球
  • 6 globos
  • 6 Balões
  • 6 Palloncini
  • 6 Balon
  • 6 בלונים
  • 6 balonów
  • 6 балона
  • 6 шариков
+1 more
  • 六顆氣球

Seen 6 Balloons?

FAQ

6 Balloons FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of 6 Balloons, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 6 Balloons?

6 Balloons runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).

When was 6 Balloons released?

6 Balloons was released on April 6, 2018.

Who directed 6 Balloons?

6 Balloons was directed by Marja Lewis Ryan.

Who is in the cast of 6 Balloons?

6 Balloons stars Abbi Jacobson as Katie, Dawan Owens as Jack and Tim Matheson as Gary, among 14 credited actors.

How is 6 Balloons rated?

6 Balloons has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does 6 Balloons have a post-credit scene?

No. 6 Balloons has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app