Atlantics (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
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.
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 Show fewer
- 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 Atlantics
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
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.
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Director Mati Diop
- Mame Bineta Sane as Ada
- Traore as Souleiman
- Babacar Sylla as Omar
- Aminata Kane as Fanta
Also Starring in Atlantics
· 5 more- Ibrahima Mbaye
- Abdou Balde Cheikh
- Diankou Sembene M. Ndiaye
- Nicole Sougou Dior
- Mbow
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 96% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 64%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 85 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
476 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
Atlantics Box Office & Budget
Atlantics grossed $407,933 worldwide on a $2.2 million budget, 19% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$407.9K
19% of its budget back
- International
- $407.9K
- Budget
- $2.2M
Atlantics Awards & Nominations
Atlantics earned 1 award nomination, including First-Time Feature Film at the DGA Awards 2020.
1 nomination1 ceremony
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DGA Awards 2020 1 nomination- Nominated First-Time Feature Film – Mati Diop
Atlantics Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.
- Clip Clip
- Clip Clip
- Featurette ATLANTICS Director Q&A | TIFF 2019
- Featurette ATLANTICS' Mati Diop on Her Cinematic Inheritance | From Studio 9
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What prompts the construction workers to leave Dakar?
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?
Movies Like Atlantics
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Atlantide, Attenberg and L’homme atlantique.
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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