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Sci-fi thriller

Captive State (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Captive State (2019) movie poster

Captive State is a 2019 sci-fi thriller directed by Rupert Wyatt, starring Jonathan Majors as Rafe Drummond, Ashton Sanders and John Goodman. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $8.8 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$8.8M
Echo Score
63
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Captive State (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Rupert Wyatt
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Captive State About?

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

Ten years after an alien invasion, Chicago exists under oppressive extraterrestrial rule. Hope is dwindling as the occupation continues, and tensions between the human population and the invaders are high. Gabriel Drummond joins the resistance movement, determined to fight for freedom. However, he finds himself caught in a dangerous game, targeted by a covert force working to eliminate the insurgency and preserve the aliens’ control. Gabriel must navigate complex allegiances and the struggle for survival as the future of humanity is at stake.

Captive State Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • resistance
  • alien invasion
  • dystopia
  • near future
  • police
  • alien
  • dog
  • subway
  • communication
  • orphan
  • bus
  • investigation
+38 more
  • terrorism
  • suicide
  • rat
  • f rated
  • apocalypse
  • two word title
  • younger version of character
  • year 2019
  • year 2028
  • violence
  • resistance leader
  • chicago illinois
  • police checkpoint
  • martial law
  • surveillance
  • chase
  • underground
  • pigeon
  • carrier pigeon
  • homing pigeon
  • sound of a dial up modem
  • song
  • dog barks
  • implant
  • removing an implant
  • church
  • horse
  • toilet
  • stadium
  • explosion
  • setting a car on fire
  • car on fire
  • vinyl record
  • subway station
  • public telephone
  • telephone call
  • trojan horse
  • blackberry cell phone
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Cast & crew

Captive State Cast & Characters

Jonathan Majors leads the cast as Rafe Drummond, with Ashton Sanders as Gabriel Drummond and John Goodman as William Mulligan. Directed by Rupert Wyatt; 16 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Captive State Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Captive State 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in rewatch factor (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

63 /100

Captive State Echo Score Breakdown

Captive State delivers a moderately engaging science-fiction experience marked by thoughtful ideas and occasional shortcomings in execution. Critics highlight a tense ensemble dynamic and inventive conceptual framework, while others note that narrative clarity and pacing falter in key sequences. Visual coherence and editing draw mixed impressions, alternating between measured design and muddled passages. Overall, it offers intriguing moments but uneven delivery limits its lasting impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, Captive State exhibits moments of detailed production design and disciplined cinematography, yet it also suffers from visually murky sequences and uneven editing. The practical effects and set pieces convey a grounded atmosphere, though certain transitions feel abrupt. Overall, the film displays ambition in visual style but lacks consistent cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances anchored by John Goodman provide a palpable intensity, and supporting roles contribute occasional depth. However, broader character development is undercut by sparse context and a tendency toward archetypal dynamics. Emotional resonance emerges in select interactions but remains unevenly sustained. Overall, the cast’s effort is evident despite limited narrative flesh.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative presents an intriguing blend of espionage elements and speculative themes, offering inventive twists and socio-political undercurrents. Yet uneven pacing and occasional lapses in clarity hinder sustained engagement. Some sequences generate thoughtful tension, but abrupt shifts dilute momentum. Overall, the plot’s ambition is clear, though its execution falls short of consistent cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the score and sound design establish a subdued, oppressive atmosphere, while the minimalist soundtrack underscores underlying tension. The alien and production designs offer original visual concepts, yet certain sequences appear murky and underlit, detracting from immersion. Overall, the film balances atmospheric soundscapes with uneven visual clarity, yielding a mixed sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    For rewatch factor, Captive State presents layered scenes and thematic undercurrents that invite reconsideration, and select narrative elements linger in memory. Some viewers may appreciate nuances revealed on subsequent viewings, particularly in character interactions and plot intricacies. However, narrative inconsistencies and uneven pacing reduce its incentive for frequent revisits. Overall, it offers moderate replay value grounded in conceptual depth.

Plot

Captive State Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Captive State 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2019, the city of Chicago finds itself under martial law due to a widespread extraterrestrial invasion. The Drummond family attempts to escape the city amidst chaos, but every exit is blocked. They manage to break through one unmanned barricade, only to stop within a tunnel where the aliens await. Tragically, the attack occurs swiftly; the parents are vaporized while their two sons remain unharmed in the backseat.

Full summary

The whole story of Captive State, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Captive State Box Office & Budget

Captive State grossed $8.8 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 35% of what it cost. $6 million came from the US and Canada and $2.9 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.8M

35% of its budget back

US & Canada
$6M
International
$2.9M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Captive State Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Teaser Trailer 2
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Captive State?

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 the name of the alien force that invades Earth in 'Captive State'?

Cars

Cars in Captive State

41 cars on screen, including the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and the 2001 BMW 5 E39.

All 41 cars
  • 2014 Chevrolet Impala in Captive State 2014 Chevrolet Impala Main role
  • 2001 BMW 5 E39 in Captive State 2001 BMW 5 E39 Important role
  • 2003 Cadillac CTS in Captive State 2003 Cadillac CTS Important role
  • 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV in Captive State 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Important role
Details

Captive State Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Земля в осаде” and “Nación cautiva”.

Also known as
  • Земля в осаде
  • Nación cautiva
  • La rebelión
  • 天逆反擊戰:地球起義
  • 俘虏国度
  • Битва за землю
  • В плен
  • Opsadno stanje
  • Elrabolt világ
  • 캡티브 스테이트
  • İstila Altında
  • Πόλη Υπό Κατοχή
+16 more
  • Rebelia
  • 異類占領
  • État captif
  • A Rebelião
  • Дубока држава
  • מדינה שבויה
  • Starea de captivitate
  • 囚われた国家
  • Captive State - Cercados
  • ایالت اسیر
  • สงครามปฏิวัติทวงโลก
  • Nelaisvėje
  • Ieslodzījumā
  • Globoko stanje
  • الولاية الأسيرة, ტყვეობაში
  • Đế Chế Mới

Seen Captive State?

FAQ

Captive State FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Captive State?

Captive State runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Captive State released?

Captive State was released on March 15, 2019.

Who directed Captive State?

Captive State was directed by Rupert Wyatt.

More films by Rupert Wyatt

Who is in the cast of Captive State?

Captive State stars Jonathan Majors as Rafe Drummond, Ashton Sanders as Gabriel Drummond and John Goodman as William Mulligan, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Captive State make at the box office?

Captive State grossed $8.8 million worldwide ($6 million domestic, $2.9 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Captive State rated?

Captive State has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does Captive State have a post-credit scene?

No. Captive State has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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