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Drama

Drift Away (2021): Cast & Ratings

Drift Away (2021) movie poster

Drift Away is a 2021 drama starring Jérémie Renier as Laurent, Marie-Julie Maille and Xavier Beauvois. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes. Its Echo Score is 66/100.

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Drift Away (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
Studio
Pathé
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Drift Away About?

The premise of Drift Away without spoilers.

A young gendarmerie commander named Laurent, stationed in a quiet Normandy town, is preparing for his wedding to Marie, the mother of his daughter. Despite finding fulfillment in his work, he faces daily social isolation. His routine is disrupted when a distressed farmer attempts to flee, leading Laurent to confront a complex situation and unexpected challenges within his community.

Drift Away Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • family relationships
  • fiance fiancee relationship
  • police
  • gendarmerie
  • gendarme
  • police officer
  • year 2019
  • 2010s
  • shot in leg
  • suicide
  • death
  • france
+38 more
  • boat
  • sailing
  • storm
  • hallucination
  • interrogation
  • gun
  • farmer
  • marriage plans
  • marriage proposal
  • daughter
  • kiss
  • cigarette smoking
  • work
  • one word title
  • written by director
  • birthday
  • birthday cake
  • cliff
  • beach
  • photographer
  • e cigarette
  • drunk
  • explosion
  • singing
  • choir
  • children's choir
  • motorboat
  • model boat
  • model sailboat
  • jigsaw puzzle
  • peasant
  • cat
  • cow
  • photograph
  • suicidal thoughts
  • considering suicide
  • sailboat
  • vomiting
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Cast & crew

Drift Away Cast & Characters

Jérémie Renier leads the cast as Laurent, with Marie-Julie Maille as Marie and Xavier Beauvois as Jacques.

Also Starring in Drift Away

· 14 more
Ratings

Drift Away Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (58).

66 /100

Drift Away Echo Score Breakdown

Drift Away presents a mixed portrait, balancing moments of thoughtful direction and a compelling central performance against uneven pacing and a thinly developed supporting cast. Critics and viewers praise Jeremie Renier’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s occasional visual restraint, yet many note a languid narrative and underwritten female characters that dilute emotional impact. The cumulative effect is a film that intrigues but often stalls, delivering a moderately positive yet conflicted overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows careful direction and restrained visual styling that many reviewers found effective. Critics highlighted the director's discretion and tasteful cinematography, while some noted occasional pacing drag and a manipulative twist that weakened overall execution. The consensus points to solid technical work, though not uniformly flawless, resulting in a respectable artistic rating.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When evaluating character and emotion, Renier’s performance is widely praised for depth and authenticity. However, the surrounding characters, especially female roles, are described as underdeveloped and stereotypical, which diminishes the ensemble's resonance. This contrast yields a mixed but balanced view of the character work, reflected in a middle‑range score.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Story and flow receive divergent feedback: the initial setup is seen as engaging and the later twists as humanistic, yet the pacing is often called slow and the narrative sometimes generic. Viewers note long sections that hinder emotional investment, while others appreciate the realistic progression. The overall storyline is judged adequate but uneven, leading to a modest score.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is highlighted by several reviewers for its evocative music and understated visual tone. The soundtrack is described as extraordinary, and the visual palette supports the film’s mood without overwhelming it. Though not universally discussed, the sensory elements consistently receive positive remarks, justifying a comparatively higher rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor is influenced by the film’s gripping moments and strong lead performance, which invite repeat viewings for subtler nuances. Nonetheless, the uneven pacing and narrative predictability may limit lasting appeal for some audiences. The balance of intrigue and friction results in a moderate but hopeful rewatch potential.

Videos

Drift Away Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Drift Away.

Official Trailer
Details

Drift Away Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Альбатрос” and “Албатрос”.

Also known as
  • Альбатрос
  • Албатрос
  • Albatrosz

Seen Drift Away?

FAQ

Drift Away FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Drift Away, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Drift Away?

Drift Away runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Drift Away released?

Drift Away was released on March 2, 2021.

Who is in the cast of Drift Away?

Drift Away stars Jérémie Renier as Laurent, Marie-Julie Maille as Marie and Xavier Beauvois as Jacques, among 18 credited actors.

Does Drift Away have a post-credit scene?

No. Drift Away has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Drift Away in?

The original language of Drift Away is French.

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