Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

Blue Iguana (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Blue Iguana (2018) movie poster

Blue Iguana is a 2018 action thriller directed by Hadi Hajaig, starring Sam Rockwell as Eddie, Ben Schwartz and Phoebe Fox. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $41,050 worldwide. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
33%
worldwide gross
$41.1K
Echo Score
40
Loading streaming availability…
Blue Iguana (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Hadi Hajaig
Genres
Action , Thriller , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blue Iguana About?

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

Two former criminals working as diner waiters are drawn back into a dangerous world when a sophisticated British lawyer appears, presenting them with a proposition for redemption. They must navigate a complex situation, hoping to escape their criminal past and forge a new life, but find themselves embroiled in unexpected challenges and peril.

Blue Iguana Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • singing in a car
  • reference to trevor brooking
  • reference to peter withe
  • reference to telly savalas
  • reference to lee majors
  • new york city
  • diamond heist
  • reference to stephen hawking
  • skipping rope
  • severed finger
  • finger cut off
  • covered in blood
+38 more
  • group hug
  • gay kiss
  • eating a hot dog
  • american abroad
  • american in london
  • tampon
  • dinosaur costume
  • foot chase
  • falling from height
  • reference to billy ray cyrus
  • mullet haircut
  • london england
  • man slaps a man
  • comic book fan
  • reading a comic book
  • color in title
  • animal in title
  • reference to ron jeremy
  • gun with silencer
  • pineapple
  • toilet paper
  • roll of toilet paper
  • eating an apple
  • stakeout
  • talking with one's mouth full
  • leopard print dress
  • female bartender
  • cockney rhyming slang
  • reference to gregory peck
  • fake english accent
  • bar
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • heist gone wrong
  • playing darts
  • reference to theodore roosevelt
  • diner
  • hiding behind a comic book
  • leopard print blouse
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Blue Iguana Cast & Characters

Sam Rockwell leads the cast as Eddie, with Ben Schwartz as Paul Driggs and Phoebe Fox as Katherine Rookwood. Directed by Hadi Hajaig; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Blue Iguana

· 9 more
From the director

More from Hadi Hajaig

More films directed by Hadi Hajaig: Vengeance Is Mine, Cleanskin and Puritan.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blue Iguana Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blue Iguana 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in rewatch factor (50) and weakest in art & craft (30).

40 /100

Blue Iguana Echo Score Breakdown

Blue Iguana struggles with an inconsistent tone that undermines its attempts at humor. Critics frequently cite the film’s deadpan wisecracking as fitful and self-satisfied, leading to uneven pacing and awkward comedic beats. While a few performances receive praise for their energy, the narrative and stylistic choices fail to coalesce into a satisfying whole. Overall, the film leaves an impression of missed potential and disjointed execution.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    The film’s art direction and editing feel erratic and overdesigned. Critics note gimmicky camera movements and inconsistent visual tone that distract from narrative cohesion. Occasional slow-motion sequences provide brief style points but cannot offset jarring editorial choices. In terms of production design and cinematography, the overall presentation lacks the precision and control needed to support the story.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    Character depth and emotional resonance are limited by hollow personas and forced sarcasm. Critics describe the film’s characters as ill-defined, preventing genuine connection despite Rockwell’s committed performance. Some engaging darkly comic moments hint at chemistry between leads, but these instances are sporadic and lack follow-through. When it comes to acting and emotional depth, the film struggles to deliver a lasting impact.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Plot coherence and pacing suffer from an uneven structure that undermines engagement. Reviews highlight perplexing narrative jumps and a void in tonal establishment, resulting in sluggish heist sequences punctuated by darkly comic bursts. Originality is constrained by clichéd pulp sensibilities, and measured momentum gives way to forced irreverence. In terms of story flow, the film remains disjointed and underwhelming.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    The sensory experience is cluttered and inconsistent in execution. Critics point to an overstuffed New Wave soundtrack that fails to complement the mood and gimmicky sound design that jars rather than immerses. Occasional striking slow-motion visuals offer brief aesthetic highlights, but these are undermined by uneven editorial choices. When it comes to soundtrack and visual style, the film feels more distracting than cohesive.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch potential is modest given the film’s forgettable execution and uneven narrative. While a few user reviewers express enthusiasm for repeat viewings, critics overwhelmingly describe the movie as instantly forgettable despite energetic performances. Limited thematic depth and inconsistent pacing diminish lasting appeal, leaving only sporadic moments of dark humor and action to justify revisits. Overall, the film offers modest replay value.

Plot

Blue Iguana Plot Summary

What happens in Blue Iguana from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Eddie and Paul, two Americans on parole, find themselves working under the strict supervision of Louie at a bustling diner. Paul, who possesses a quirky personality reminiscent of a spoiled child, dreams of becoming a filmmaker, while Eddie prefers to immerse himself in the world of comic books. Throughout the film, brief glimpses of Eddie’s comic book readings hint at his imaginative escapism, notably excluding a character known as the Blue Iguana.

Full summary

The whole story of Blue Iguana, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Blue Iguana Box Office

Blue Iguana grossed $41,050 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$41.1K

International
$41.1K
Videos

Blue Iguana Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Blue Iguana.

Blue Iguana - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blue Iguana?

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 profession does Paul aspire to have?

Details

Blue Iguana Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Голубая игуана” and “블루 이구아나”.

Also known as
  • Голубая игуана
  • 블루 이구아나
  • Синята игуана
  • Błękitna Iguana
  • Jakten på Blue Iguana
  • 蓝蜥蜴俱乐部
  • Блакитна ігуана
  • Mavi Iguana
  • The Diamond Job - Gauner
  • Bomben und Juwelen
  • Braquage presque parfait
  • 藍蜥蜴俱樂部

Seen Blue Iguana?

FAQ

Blue Iguana FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Blue Iguana, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blue Iguana?

Blue Iguana runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Blue Iguana released?

Blue Iguana was released on August 24, 2018.

Who directed Blue Iguana?

Blue Iguana was directed by Hadi Hajaig.

More films by Hadi Hajaig

Who is in the cast of Blue Iguana?

Blue Iguana stars Sam Rockwell as Eddie, Ben Schwartz as Paul Driggs and Phoebe Fox as Katherine Rookwood, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Blue Iguana make at the box office?

Blue Iguana grossed $41,050 worldwide.

How is Blue Iguana rated?

Blue Iguana has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 30 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Blue Iguana have a post-credit scene?

No. Blue Iguana 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