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Sci-fi drama

Bliss (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Bliss (2021) movie poster

Bliss is a 2021 sci-fi drama directed by Mike Cahill, starring Salma Hayek as Isabel Clemens, Owen Wilson and Jorge Lendeborg Jr.. Critics gave it 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
27%
Echo Score
35
Metascore
40
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Bliss (2021) movie poster
Released
Director
Mike Cahill
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bliss About?

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

A disillusioned man, Greg, finds connection and apparent understanding with Isabel, who suggests their perceived reality is a flawed simulation. As their relationship deepens, they explore the possibility of a manufactured existence, questioning everything they thought they knew. Their journey is set against a dystopian world, further complicating their search for truth and blurring the lines between what's real and imagined, leading to profound changes in their perspectives.

Bliss Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • alternative
  • mind bending
  • drug addiction
  • roller skating
  • domestic drama
  • psychological drama
  • feel good romance
  • surrealism
  • psychedelic therapy
  • 21st century
  • 2020s
  • woman
+2 more
  • love
  • divorce
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Cast & crew

Bliss Cast & Characters

Salma Hayek leads the cast as Isabel Clemens, with Owen Wilson as Greg Wittle and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Arthur Wittle. Directed by Mike Cahill; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bliss

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mike Cahill

More films directed by Mike Cahill, best-rated first: Another Earth, I Origins and King of California.

Full filmography
Ratings

Bliss Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bliss 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

35 /100

Bliss Echo Score Breakdown

Bliss struggles to cohere its concepts into a unified experience, with most critics and many viewers finding its narrative disjointed and its execution uneven. While a few viewers praise its thematic ambition and lead performances, the majority highlight confusing plotting and an underdeveloped script that undermines engagement. Technical and emotional elements alike fail to fully coalesce, leaving only occasional glimpses of potential. Ultimately, the film leaves a net impression of unfulfilled promise rather than genuine bliss.

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

  • Art & Craft 40

    Art & Craft falters under a heavy-handed script and derivative world-building, with only sporadic visual flair to distinguish scenes. Reviewers noted that the film’s production design feels uninspired, and cinematography offers few memorable compositions. Editing often contributes to narrative confusion rather than clarity, and the overall direction lacks cohesive stylistic choices. Despite a few competent shots, the technical execution generally falls short of elevating the material.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    In terms of character and emotion, performances by Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek show intermittent depth but are hampered by underwritten relationships and erratic tone. Several viewers found Wilson’s turn from comedic roles to dramatic vulnerability noteworthy, and some appreciation emerged for Hayek’s intensity. However, the script provides limited development for supporting characters, weakening emotional resonance and chemistry. Overall, character arcs struggle to engage fully with the film’s thematic intentions.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative is frequently described as confusing and uneven. Critics and viewers alike highlighted a tangled plot that oscillates between reality and simulation without clear signposts, resulting in disjointed pacing. While some appreciate its philosophical undertones and thematic questions, most find the twist predictable and the structure lacking coherent progression. Consequently, story coherence and originality do not sustain engagement throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score receive little attention, suggesting a lack of distinctive auditory identity. Visual style is functional but not striking, with world-building elements failing to create a convincing alternate reality. A few viewers noted moments of gritty ambiance, yet overall sensory cohesion is limited by uninspired production choices. The technical soundscape and visual palette seldom enhance immersion or reinforce thematic tension.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When considering rewatch factor, most critics and audience members agree that the film offers limited replay value. Confusing sequences and a lack of satisfying resolution reduce the appeal of subsequent viewings, and the narrative ambiguity does not yield new insights upon repeat watches. Although a niche audience may extract thematic nuance, the general impression is that the film’s structural flaws outweigh any potential for enduring appeal or revisiting with pleasure.

Plot

Bliss Plot Summary

What happens in Bliss from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Greg Wittle, portrayed by Owen Wilson, finds himself lost in a haze of daydreams and doodles during his work hours. After getting fired, he envisions a disastrous scenario where he unintentionally kills his boss, Bjorn, played by Steve Zissis, and awkwardly hides the body behind the office curtains. With the day spiraling out of control, he retreats to a nearby bar, where fate introduces him to Isabel, a mysterious homeless woman, played by Salma Hayek. Isabel seems eerily aware of Greg’s actions.

Full summary

The whole story of Bliss, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Bliss Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bliss.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bliss?

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

Who plays the character Greg Wittle?

Seen Bliss?

FAQ

Bliss FAQ: Cast, Release Date & Director

Release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bliss, each answered in a sentence.

When was Bliss released?

Bliss was released on February 5, 2021.

Who directed Bliss?

Bliss was directed by Mike Cahill.

More films by Mike Cahill

Who is in the cast of Bliss?

Bliss stars Salma Hayek as Isabel Clemens, Owen Wilson as Greg Wittle and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Arthur Wittle, among 10 credited actors.

How is Bliss rated?

Bliss has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, 40 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Bliss have a post-credit scene?

No. Bliss has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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