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Atlantics (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Atlantics (2019) movie poster

Atlantics is a 2019 drama directed by Mati Diop, starring Mame Bineta Sane as Ada, Traore and Babacar Sylla. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $407,933 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including First-Time Feature Film at the DGA Awards 2020. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$407.9K
award nomination
1
Atlantics (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Mati Diop
Genre
Drama
Original language
Wolof
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$2.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Atlantics About?

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

Ada faces an arranged marriage, haunted by the disappearance of her former lover, who vanished at sea while trying to migrate. Strange events begin to occur in their coastal town, and Ada is forced to confront her feelings as the mysterious circumstances surrounding his departure resurface, offering a glimmer of hope amidst uncertainty and the enduring power of love.

Atlantics Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • female protagonist
  • dakar
  • ocean
  • beach
  • nightclub
  • fire
  • police
  • police investigation
  • body possession
  • coming of age
  • wedding
  • wedding reception
+38 more
  • love from beyond the grave
  • speaking for the dead
  • one word title
  • title directed by female
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • construction site
  • train
  • sea
  • atlantic ocean
  • seaside
  • candle
  • voice over
  • voice over narration
  • death
  • cell phone
  • marriage
  • forced marriage
  • police inspector
  • boss
  • doctor
  • virginity
  • virginity test
  • police custody
  • corruption
  • marabout
  • emigration
  • money
  • title at the end
  • africa
  • senegal
  • west africa
  • toronto international film festival
  • female director
  • life experiences
  • construction worker
  • 2010s
  • emigrant
Where to watch

Where to Watch Atlantics

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Atlantics Cast & Characters

Mame Bineta Sane leads the cast as Ada, with Traore as Souleiman and Babacar Sylla as Omar. Directed by Mati Diop; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Atlantics

· 5 more
Ratings

Atlantics Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Atlantics 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

84 /100

Atlantics Echo Score Breakdown

Atlantics delivers a consistently compelling cinematic experience driven by its strong visual identity and emotional core. Critics and audiences alike emphasize the film’s ethereal style and layered narrative, praising its blend of social commentary and magical realism. While some note moments of deliberate pacing and occasional opacity, most agree that its haunting atmosphere and thematic depth sustain engagement. Overall, the film achieves a resonant balance between visual artistry and narrative nuance.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    The film exhibits a striking visual craftsmanship rooted in its direction and production design. Reviews highlight the ethereal style, measured editing transitions, and an understated color palette that reinforce the story’s otherworldly tone. Cinematography consistently envelops viewers in moments of haunting beauty. In sum, these artistic choices combine to deliver a visually arresting and cohesive experience.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character depth and emotional resonance, Atlantics presents vivid portrayals of its protagonists. Critics note Ada’s nuanced emotional journey and the believable chemistry among characters, while some viewers mention a perceived lack of grounding in the central romance. Performances, particularly by the lead actors, are frequently described as engaging and authentic. Overall, the character work remains emotionally affecting and largely compelling.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to story coherence and pacing, the film adopts an elliptical and deliberate approach. Many observers commend its originality and genre blending—from social drama to metaphysical suspense—yet also acknowledge occasional narrative opacity and slow-moving sections. This structure yields an engaging sense of unpredictability even as it challenges straightforward comprehension. Ultimately, the inventive storyline sustains interest despite uneven pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, Atlantics offers a rich auditory and visual tapestry. Observers praise the haunting, atmospheric soundtrack and immersive sound design that amplify the film’s magical realism. The cohesive visual motifs and measured cinematography further envelop the audience in a sense of mystique. These combined elements forge a compelling sensory engagement that heightens the film’s emotional impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Regarding rewatch potential, the film rewards repeat viewings with deeper thematic resonance. Its layered symbolism and subtle narrative beats invite further reflection, though the deliberate pacing may temper casual replays. Viewers often discover new connections in character motivations and atmospheric details on subsequent watches. As a result, Atlantics secures a lasting appeal for audiences willing to revisit and unpack its nuanced storytelling.

Plot

Atlantics Plot Summary

What happens in Atlantics 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

In a vibrant suburb of Dakar, positioned along the picturesque Atlantic coastline, the anticipation of a new era looms as a futuristic tower is set for its grand unveiling. However, the construction workers, who tirelessly labored on this monumental project, find themselves in a dire predicament as they have not received their wages for months. Frustrated and desperate, they devise a plan one fateful night to escape their hardships by heading to Spain via the sea, in search of a hopeful future. Among these brave souls is Souleiman, the devoted lover of Ada. Yet, tragedy ensues as Ada is already bound to another through an arranged marriage to the wealthy Omar.

Full summary

The whole story of Atlantics, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Atlantics Box Office & Budget

Atlantics grossed $407,933 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget, 19% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$407.9K

19% of its budget back

International
$407.9K
Budget
$2.2M
Awards

Atlantics Awards & Nominations

Atlantics earned 1 award nomination, including First-Time Feature Film at the DGA Awards 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Atlantics Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Clip
  • Clip Clip
  • Featurette ATLANTICS Director Q&A | TIFF 2019
  • Featurette ATLANTICS' Mati Diop on Her Cinematic Inheritance | From Studio 9
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Atlantics?

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

Question 1 of 9

  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

What prompts the construction workers to leave Dakar?

Details

Atlantics Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “아틀란틱스” and “애틀랜틱스”.

Also known as
  • 아틀란틱스
  • 애틀랜틱스
  • Атлантика
  • 大西洋
  • Atlantyk
  • Atlántico
  • Az Atlantiak
  • אטלנטיקה
  • Атлантик
  • アトランティックス

Seen Atlantics?

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FAQ

Atlantics FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Atlantics, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Atlantics?

Atlantics runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Atlantics released?

Atlantics was released on November 15, 2019.

Who directed Atlantics?

Atlantics was directed by Mati Diop.

More films by Mati Diop

Who is in the cast of Atlantics?

Atlantics stars Mame Bineta Sane as Ada, Traore as Souleiman and Babacar Sylla as Omar, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch Atlantics?

In the US, Atlantics is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Atlantics make at the box office?

Atlantics grossed $407,933 worldwide on a budget of $2.2 million.

How is Atlantics rated?

Atlantics has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Was Atlantics nominated for any awards?

Atlantics received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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