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Adventure thriller

Close (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Close (2019) movie poster

Close is a 2019 adventure thriller directed by Vicky Jewson, starring Noomi Rapace as Sam Carlson, Sophie Nélisse and Indira Varma. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $60,040 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 74/100. Stream it on Netflix.

worldwide gross
$60K
Echo Score
74
Close (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Vicky Jewson
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Close About?

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

A counter-terrorism expert accepts a high-profile assignment to protect a young heiress. When an attempt on her life puts them both in danger, they are forced to go on the run. They must rely on their skills and instincts to evade their pursuers and uncover the forces conspiring against them.

Close Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • title directed by female
  • female bodyguard
  • female executive
  • action heroine
  • female protagonist
  • ambush
  • strong female lead
  • strong female character
  • mother daughter relationship
  • stepmother stepdaughter relationship
  • arab
  • 2010s
+38 more
  • woman woman relationship
  • opening action scene
  • violence
  • shootout
  • gunfight
  • war veteran
  • one woman army
  • foot chase
  • knife
  • machine gun
  • ak 47
  • pistol
  • disarming someone
  • home invasion
  • hand to hand combat
  • desert
  • triple f rated
  • outnumbered
  • head scarf
  • security camera
  • one word title
  • giving the middle finger
  • bodyguard
  • stabbed in the leg
  • underwater scene
  • male hits a female
  • attempted abduction
  • control room
  • woman shot
  • stepmother and stepdaughter
  • f rated
  • cigarette smoking
  • safe house
  • car chase
  • showdown
  • chase
  • tough girl
  • murder
Where to watch

Where to Watch Close

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Close Cast & Characters

Noomi Rapace leads the cast as Sam Carlson, with Sophie Nélisse as Zoe Tanner and Indira Varma as Rima Hassine. Directed by Vicky Jewson; 25 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Close

· 21 more
Show all 25 cast members
Ratings

Close Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

74 /100

Close Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Close delivers a solid showcase of kinetic action and a compelling lead performance, yet its narrative structure and thematic depth fall short of sustaining long‑term impact. Critics highlight a thin script and anticlimactic ending, while many viewers praise the adrenaline‑filled set pieces and Rapace’s intensity. The film’s visual flair and authentic moments provide intermittent engagement, but inconsistencies in pacing and character development limit its replay value. Consequently, the movie lands in the upper‑mid range of quality.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    Regarding art and craft, the film benefits from a kinetic visual style and proficient editing that sustain the action’s momentum. Several reviewers commend the cinematography’s ability to convey tension and the polished production design of Moroccan settings. However, criticisms note a sometimes frenetic pacing that undercuts visual coherence, yielding an overall competent but uneven execution.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    In terms of character and emotion, Noomi Rapace’s performance is consistently highlighted as a strong, believable anchor, with many viewers noting her raw intensity. The evolving bond between the protagonists adds occasional emotional resonance. Conversely, critics argue that overall character development is shallow, and supporting roles receive minimal depth, resulting in mixed impressions of the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story aspect suffers from an uneven narrative rhythm, with several reviewers criticizing a weak script, predictable twists, and an anticlimactic conclusion. While some audience members find the plot engaging enough to sustain high‑octane action, the lack of cohesive pacing and limited originality undermine overall narrative satisfaction.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Sensory experience receives commendation for its immersive sound design and dynamic score that enhance the action sequences. Reviewers also note the film’s vivid visual palette and effective use of location to convey tension. These auditory and visual strengths contribute positively despite other flaws.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    The rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s high‑energy set pieces and Rapace’s commanding performance invite repeat viewings for action enthusiasts. Nonetheless, narrative inconsistencies and lack of lasting thematic depth limit its longevity, causing many viewers to enjoy initial thrills while finding limited incentive for multiple engagements.

Plot

Close Plot Summary

What happens in Close from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sam Carlson [Noomi Rapace] is a skilled close protection officer stationed on a routine assignment in South Sudan, where she proves her mettle by saving two journalists under attack from local insurgents. Her calm, decisive action under fire sets the tone for a story where loyalty, survival, and hidden motives intertwine. As the dust settles, Zoe Tanner [Sophie Nélisse], the troubled heir to the late Eric Tanner and owner of a vast stake in Hassine Mining, learns that she has inherited all of her father’s shares. This revelation, coming on the heels of a recent billion-dollar deal in Zambia that Rima Hassine [Indira Varma], Zoe’s stepmother and the company’s CEO, has already secured, heightens the tension within the family business.

Full summary

The whole story of Close, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Close Box Office

Close grossed $60,040 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$60K

International
$60K
Videos

Close Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Close.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Close?

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

  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

Who plays the lead character Sam Carlson, a skilled close protection officer?

Cars

Cars in Close

30 cars on screen, including the 1994 Peugeot 205 and the 2011 Audi A6 C7.

All 30 cars
  • 1994 Peugeot 205 in Close 1994 Peugeot 205 Main role
  • 2011 Audi A6 C7 in Close 2011 Audi A6 C7 Important role
  • 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser in Close 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
  • 1996 Volkswagen Transporter T4 Typ 70 in Close 1996 Volkswagen Transporter T4 Typ 70 Important role
Details

Close Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Close - Dem Feind zu nah” and “Escolta”.

Also known as
  • Close - Dem Feind zu nah
  • Escolta
  • Bekerítve
  • โคลส ล่าประชิดตัว
  • Близко
  • 클로즈
  • Yakın Koruma
  • Ścigane
  • Blizu
  • La protectora
  • Κοντά
  • Отблизо
+9 more
  • 贴身女保镖
  • 貼身風暴
  • Близько
  • Tot mai aproape
  • הגנה צמודה
  • Személyi védelem
  • Příliš blízko
  • Nữ Vệ Sĩ, ახლოს
  • クロース: 孤独のボディーガード

Seen Close?

FAQ

Close FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office and post-credit scenes of Close, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Close?

Close runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Close released?

Close was released on January 18, 2019.

Who directed Close?

Close was directed by Vicky Jewson.

More films by Vicky Jewson

Who is in the cast of Close?

Close stars Noomi Rapace as Sam Carlson, Sophie Nélisse as Zoe Tanner and Indira Varma as Rima Hassine, among 25 credited actors.

Where can I watch Close?

In the US, Close is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Close make at the box office?

Close grossed $60,040 worldwide.

Does Close have a post-credit scene?

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

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