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Family drama

Blueback (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Blueback (2023) movie poster

Blueback is a 2023 family drama directed by Robert Connolly, starring Mia Wasikowska as Abby, Radha Mitchell and Ilsa Fogg. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $1.8 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Costume Design at the AACTA Awards 2024. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Rotten Tomatoes
71%
worldwide gross
$1.8M
award nominations
4
Echo Score
73
Blueback (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Robert Connolly
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blueback About?

The premise of Blueback without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Returning to her coastal hometown to care for her mother, marine biologist Abby confronts a complicated past and a deep connection to the ocean. As she tends to Dora, memories of their shared passion for the sea and a fight against environmental damage emerge. A unique bond with a rare blue groper sparks reflection on Abby's relationship with her mother and the urgent need to protect the fragile coral reefs they both hold dear.

Blueback Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • tattoo
  • written by director
  • written and directed by cast member
  • father daughter relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • motorcycle
  • hospital
  • immigration service
  • robbery
  • baby
  • cancer
  • airport
+38 more
  • adoption
  • korean american
  • deportation
  • police
  • theft
  • court
  • sacrifice
  • color in title
  • actor director writer
  • directed by cast member
  • united states of america
  • tattooing
  • pregnant wife
  • ultrasonography
  • police officer
  • separated couple
  • racism
  • lawyer
  • death
  • courtroom
  • father daughter separation
  • husband wife separation
  • inspired by a true story
  • gun crime
  • career criminal
  • beating
  • felony
  • handcuffs
  • pregnancy
  • tattoo artist
  • bayou
  • louisiana
  • stepfather stepdaughter relationship
  • new orleans louisiana
  • ice immigratuon and customs enforcement
  • arrest
  • violence
  • biological father
Where to watch

Where to Watch Blueback

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Blueback Cast & Characters

Mia Wasikowska leads the cast as Abby, with Radha Mitchell as Dora and Ilsa Fogg as Teen Abby. Directed by Robert Connolly; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Blueback

· 6 more
Ratings

Blueback Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Blueback 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in story & flow (55).

73 /100

Blueback Echo Score Breakdown

Blueback excels visually, offering striking underwater cinematography and evocative Australian landscapes that captivate viewers. Performances, particularly from Mia Wasikowska and supporting cast, are generally praised for conveying the film's environmental heart. However, the narrative is hampered by a loose structure, heavy reliance on flashbacks, and a script that many critics deem uneven, limiting its emotional impact. Consequently, the film delivers a memorable sensory experience but falls short of a fully cohesive storytelling achievement.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    The film’s art direction showcases breathtaking marine visuals and meticulous production design that highlight Western Australia’s coast. Critics repeatedly commend the jaw‑dropping underwater camerawork and vivid color palette, while a few note moments where the cinematography could have been more restrained. Users echo the appreciation for scenic beauty, though some mention technical unevenness. Overall, the artistic execution is solid with notable high points.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Character work in Blueback is anchored by nuanced performances, especially the mother‑daughter dynamic between Wasikowska and Alexander. Reviewers describe the acting as solid and emotionally resonant, enhancing the environmental themes. Some criticism surfaces regarding underdeveloped secondary characters and occasional flatness, yet the core cast consistently receives commendation. The net impression is that character portrayals are a strong component of the film.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Narrative structure receives mixed feedback, with many pointing to a drifting plot hampered by excessive flashbacks and a script that feels clumsy. Critics label the screenplay as weak or soggy, while some viewers find the simple, heartfelt storyline effective. The pacing is described as patient yet uneven, resulting in a story that engages intermittently but lacks consistent drive.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    Sensory experience stands out as the film’s most praised element, with underwater photography described as exquisite and the visual style consistently lush. The sound design and musical underscoring complement the panoramic shots, creating an immersive atmosphere. Reviewers uniformly highlight the sensory richness, noting that it compensates for other shortcomings and leaves a lasting impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch value is moderate; the film’s environmental message and visual allure invite repeat viewings, especially for audiences interested in nature cinema. Some reviewers express nostalgia and emotional connection that encourage revisiting, while narrative weaknesses diminish repeat appeal for others. Overall, the movie offers enough memorable moments to warrant a second look, though it may not sustain long‑term engagement for all viewers.

Plot

Blueback Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Blueback from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Antonio LeBlanc is an adopted Korean American and tattoo artist navigating life outside New Orleans with his pregnant wife Kathy and her biological daughter, Jessie. Despite Kathy’s willingness to return to work as a rehabilitation nurse to help financially, Antonio struggles to find stable employment due to his criminal history. His life takes a turn for the worse when he endures multiple incidents of harassment from NOPD officers Ace and Denny. Compounding this, Denny is Jessie’s estranged biological father, leading to a violent arrest that lands Antonio in ICE custody. In a shocking twist, it’s discovered that his adoptive parents failed to naturalize him according to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, putting him at risk of deportation.

Full summary

The whole story of Blueback, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Blueback Box Office

Blueback grossed $1.8 million worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8M

International
$1.8M
Awards

Blueback Awards & Nominations

Blueback earned 4 award nominations, including Best Costume Design at the AACTA Awards 2024.

4 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Blueback Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Scenes
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blueback?

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 is Antonio LeBlanc's profession?

Details

Blueback Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “안녕 블루백” and “ブルーバックあの海を見ていた”.

Also known as
  • 안녕 블루백
  • ブルーバックあの海を見ていた
  • Blueback - Eine tiefe Freundschaft
  • 블루백
  • Друг в океане
  • Blueback : Une amitié sous-marine
  • Nadando en libertad
  • Modrous
  • Blueback: Uma Amizade Profunda
  • 蓝背鱼
  • ים של זיכרונות
  • Plavi kit
+1 more
  • Tajomstvo modrej zátoky

Seen Blueback?

FAQ

Blueback FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Blueback?

Blueback runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was Blueback released?

Blueback was released on March 2, 2023.

Who directed Blueback?

Blueback was directed by Robert Connolly.

More films by Robert Connolly

Who is in the cast of Blueback?

Blueback stars Mia Wasikowska as Abby, Radha Mitchell as Dora and Ilsa Fogg as Teen Abby, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Blueback?

In the US, Blueback is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Blueback make at the box office?

Blueback grossed $1.8 million worldwide.

How is Blueback rated?

Blueback has 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic, 65% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Blueback nominated for any awards?

Blueback received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.

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