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Action horror film

Aquarium of the Dead (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Aquarium of the Dead (2021) movie poster

Aquarium of the Dead is a 2021 action horror film directed by Glenn Miller, starring Madeleine Falk as Dr. Karen James, Eva Ceja and D. C. Douglas. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Its Echo Score is 38/100.

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Aquarium of the Dead (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Glenn Miller
Genres
Action , Comedy , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Aquarium of the Dead About?

The premise of Aquarium of the Dead without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

We’ve fallen to the bottom of the food chain A scientific mishap causes the species of an aquarium to become zombies.

Aquarium of the Dead Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • zombie
  • sequel
  • octopus
  • aquarium
  • shark
  • mako shark
  • senator
  • dolphin
  • giant crab
  • crocodile
  • starfish
  • axe
+10 more
  • walrus
  • punched in the face
  • firefighter
  • tour guide
  • crab
  • betrayal
  • bitten by a shark
  • fish
  • zombie horror
  • b horror
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Cast & crew

Aquarium of the Dead Cast & Characters

Madeleine Falk leads the cast as Dr. Karen James, with Eva Ceja as Miranda Riley and D. C. Douglas as Daniel Hanley. Directed by Glenn Miller; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Aquarium of the Dead

· 10 more
From the director

More from Glenn Miller

More films directed by Glenn Miller: Top Gunner: Danger Zone, Zoombies 2, Zoombies and Santa Claws.

Full filmography
Ratings

Aquarium of the Dead Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in story & flow (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

38 /100

Aquarium of the Dead Echo Score Breakdown

Aquarium of the Dead earns a mixed but overall unfavorable reception. Reviewers acknowledge the film's novel premise of reanimated aquarium creatures and occasional moments of amusement, yet they consistently criticize its low-budget visual effects, uneven pacing, and subpar performances. The consensus points to limited lasting appeal and little incentive for repeat viewings, resulting in a modest overall rating.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film suffers from noticeably weak CGI and production design. Critics describe the effects as flat, poorly rendered, and detrimental to immersion, while a few note occasional passable effort given budget constraints. Overall, the technical execution fails to meet genre expectations.

  • Character & Emotion 40

    When it comes to acting and emotional depth, performances are largely deemed cheesy and uneven. Some viewers note occasional enjoyable drama and effort from the cast, but the majority highlight stilted reactions and lack of nuanced portrayals. The character work contributes to the film's overall mediocrity.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Storywise, the premise of dead aquarium life is inventive, yet execution is hampered by a monotonous pace and disjointed narrative. Reviewers mention dragged middle sections and a script that feels improvised, though a few appreciate the quirky concept. The plot fails to sustain engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    Sensory experience suffers from underwhelming sound design and visual style, largely due to the inferior CGI. While sporadic moments of quirky visual flair appear, the overall audio-visual cohesion is lacking. The limited sensory appeal reinforces the film's perception as low-quality B‑movie fare.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch potential is minimal, with most reviewers stating they would not view the film again. The combination of repetitive scenes, lackluster effects, and thin narrative reduces its replay value. A few find nostalgic amusement, but the prevailing sentiment is that the film offers little incentive for repeat screenings.

Plot

Aquarium of the Dead Plot Summary

What happens in Aquarium of the Dead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At the Shining Sea Aquarium, Dr. Karen James Madeleine Falk and two workers attempt to tag the resident octopus. The creature’s procedure triggers a cardiac arrest, then a startling reanimation: it lunges at Karen, takes the two workers’ lives, and slips away into the ducts, leaving the facility in a tense, unsettled hush.

Full summary

The whole story of Aquarium of the Dead, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Aquarium of the Dead Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Aquarium of the Dead.

AQUARIUM OF THE DEAD TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Aquarium of the Dead?

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

Which aquarium employee attempts to tag the resident octopus at the start of the film?

Cars

Cars in Aquarium of the Dead

1 car on screen: the 2019 Ford Edge.

  • 2019 Ford Edge in Aquarium of the Dead 2019 Ford Edge Minor role
Details

Aquarium of the Dead Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “喪屍水族館” and “Támadnak a Polipok”.

Also known as
  • 喪屍水族館
  • Támadnak a Polipok
  • Martwe oceanarium
  • 屍控水族館
  • Аквариум мертвецов
  • Zombik akváriuma
  • 亡者之湿
  • Aquárium smrti
  • 몬스터 피라냐
  • Aquarium de la mort
  • Akvárium smrti
  • L'Aquarium de la Mort
+1 more
  • สวนน้ำซอมบี้

Seen Aquarium of the Dead?

FAQ

Aquarium of the Dead FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Aquarium of the Dead, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Aquarium of the Dead?

Aquarium of the Dead runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Aquarium of the Dead released?

Aquarium of the Dead was released on May 21, 2021.

Who directed Aquarium of the Dead?

Aquarium of the Dead was directed by Glenn Miller.

More films by Glenn Miller

Who is in the cast of Aquarium of the Dead?

Aquarium of the Dead stars Madeleine Falk as Dr. Karen James, Eva Ceja as Miranda Riley and D. C. Douglas as Daniel Hanley, among 14 credited actors.

Does Aquarium of the Dead have a post-credit scene?

No. Aquarium of the Dead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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