Limbo (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Limbo is a 2021 drama directed by Ben Sharrock, starring Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helga, Kenneth Collard and Nayef Rashed. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $921,894 worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2021. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Stream it on Peacock and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Ben Sharrock
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Focus Features
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Limbo About?
The premise of Limbo without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In the remote Australian outback, Detective Travis Hurley investigates the decades-old murder of Charlotte Hayes. His search for answers unearths deeply buried secrets and a complex network of relationships within the isolated community. As Hurley pieces together the events of the past, he confronts a challenging truth that tests his understanding of justice and the people involved in this unsettling case.
Limbo Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- serial killer
- rape
- mutilation
- homeless person
- garbage
- stolen gun
- urban setting
- urban decay
- disorientation
- traumatic experience
- loneliness
- male protagonist
+36 more Show fewer
- female protagonist
- male female relationship
- policeman
- memory
- chaos
- apartment building
- human behavior
- police officer
- incommunicability
- hong kong
- killer
- young delinquent
- shallow
- rape scene
- severed hand
- used as bait
- garbage dump
- slums
- trash
- darkness
- commodification of a woman
- civil forfeiture
- police investigation
- bestiality
- megalopolis
- monstrosity
- waste
- violence
- cult director
- perversion
- creepy
- post industrial society
- drugged girl
- corpse
- foot chase
- missing gun
Where to Watch Limbo
Stream it on Peacock and YouTube TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Limbo Cast & Characters
Sidse Babett Knudsen leads the cast as Helga, with Kenneth Collard as Boris and Nayef Rashed as Omar's Dad. Directed by Ben Sharrock; 17 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Ben Sharrock
-
Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helga -
Kenneth Collard as Boris -
Nayef Rashed as Omar's Dad -
Lewis Gribben as Stevie
Also Starring in Limbo
· 13 more- Amir El-Masry Omar
- Kais Nashif Nabil
- Ellie Haddington
- Cameron Fulton Plug
- Vikash Bhai Farhad
- Ola Orebiyi Wasef
- Darina Al Joundi Omar's Mum
- Silvie Furneaux Cheryl
- Grace Chilton
- Jorge Gidi
- Adam Abdalrhman Crying Man in Phonebox
- Kwabena Ansah Abedi
- Sodienye Ojewuyi Hamad
Limbo Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Limbo 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Limbo Echo Score Breakdown
Limbo presents a thoughtful examination of refugee limbo through understated direction and an empathetic core, though its deliberate pacing may test some viewers. Critics commend its visual restraint and humane performances, while a minority of audience members find the narrative sluggish. The film’s blend of quiet humor and poignant moments creates a lingering emotional impression, making it a commendable, if occasionally austere, cinematic experience.
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 visual craftsmanship, the film is praised for its measured cinematography and evocative landscape framing, with critics noting a striking 4:3 composition and gorgeous location shots. Some viewers, however, remark on overly lingering frames that contribute to a sense of tedium. Overall, the artistic execution is viewed as competent and aesthetically resonant.
- Character & Emotion 85
When it comes to character work, performances are highlighted as nuanced and emotionally resonant, particularly the lead's subtle portrayal of a refugee musician. Critics and users alike commend the depth and authenticity of the ensemble, noting that the actors convey the hardship without melodrama. The character dimension emerges as a clear strength of the film.
- Story & Flow 70
The narrative structure balances gentle humor with bleak realities, earning acknowledgement for originality and thematic relevance. Reviewers note a slower first half and a messier second half, describing the pacing as deliberate but occasionally plodding. While the story is appreciated for its heartfelt intent, its measured tempo divides opinion, yielding a mixed assessment.
- Sensory Experience 78
Sensory elements, including the soundtrack and sound design, reinforce the film’s atmosphere, with critics pointing to the role of music in shaping identity. Visual style receives commendation for its panoramic isolation of the Scottish setting, though some audience members find extended landscape shots excessive. The overall sensory experience is regarded as effective and immersive.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Rewatch potential is tempered by the film’s deliberate pacing; while its thematic depth and subtle humor encourage reflection, several viewers describe the experience as tedious on repeat viewings. Critics suggest the work holds lasting merit for its humane perspective, but audience feedback indicates a modest inclination to revisit the film.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 75%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
234 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Limbo Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Limbo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Rookie police officer Will Yam, portrayed by Mason Lee, has just graduated from the police academy and is eager to prove himself on the streets. However, his initial assignment quickly turns complicated when he is teamed up with the seasoned officer Cham Lau, played by Gordon Lam, who has recently been reinstated after facing controversy. The duo finds themselves entangled in a string of serial killings that are terrorizing the city, but rather than making progress, their efforts inadvertently lead to a cascade of unfortunate events.
Full summary
The whole story of Limbo, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Limbo Box Office
Limbo grossed $921,894 worldwide. $224,405 came from the US and Canada and $697,489 (76%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$921.9K
- US & Canada
- $224.4K
- International
- $697.5K
Limbo Awards & Nominations
Limbo earned 2 award nominations, including Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA 2021.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
BAFTA 2021 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding British Film – Ben Sharrock
- Nominated Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer – Ben Sharrock
Limbo Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Clip
- Featurette 60 Second Film School | LIMBO's Ben Sharrock | Episode 12
- Featurette Stories from Set with Ben Sharrock, Amir El-Masry, and Vikash Bhai | LIMBO | Episode 10
How Well Do You Know Limbo?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is the profession of the main character, Will Yam?
Cars in Limbo
6 cars on screen, including the 1992 Ford Orion MkIII and the 1990 Land-Rover Defender 90.
-
1992 Ford Orion MkIII Important role -
1990 Land-Rover Defender 90 Minor role -
unknown Minor role -
2004 Vauxhall Combo MkII Minor role
Limbo Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “สุดขอบ แดนความฝัน” and “边缘状态”.
- Also known as
-
- สุดขอบ แดนความฝัน
- 边缘状态
- 림보
- Лимб
- En el limbo
- לימבו
- 失落園
- A sors kitérője
- U limbu
- Až zahřmí
- التيه
- 運命の回り道
+3 more Show fewer
- Vô định
- लिंबो
- Лімб
Seen Limbo?
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Limbo FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Limbo, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Limbo?
Limbo runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Limbo released?
Limbo was released on April 30, 2021.
Who directed Limbo?
Limbo was directed by Ben Sharrock.
More films by Ben Sharrock Who is in the cast of Limbo?
Limbo stars Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helga, Kenneth Collard as Boris and Nayef Rashed as Omar's Dad, among 17 credited actors.
Where can I watch Limbo?
In the US, Limbo is streaming on Peacock and YouTube TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Limbo make at the box office?
Limbo grossed $921,894 worldwide ($224,405 domestic, $697,489 international).
How is Limbo rated?
Limbo has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Was Limbo nominated for any awards?
Limbo received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
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