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Drama thriller

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

Limbo (2019) movie poster

Limbo is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Tim Dünschede, starring Tilman Strauss as Carsten / Yannik, Martin Semmelrogge and Elisa Schlott. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $921,894 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 77/100. Rent or buy it on Google Play Movies and YouTube.

worldwide gross
$921.9K
Echo Score
77
Limbo (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Tim Dünschede
Genres
Drama , Crime , Thriller
Original language
German
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Limbo About?

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

Ana, a young compliance manager, uncovers suspicious financial irregularities within her company's records, triggering a complex investigation. Her pursuit leads her to a clandestine bare-knuckle fight where she encounters both a seasoned criminal and a powerful Mafia boss. She also crosses paths with Carsten, an undercover investigator with a personal connection to her, who now faces a dilemma as he navigates a dangerous network of money launderers.

Limbo Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • one shot
  • one shot movie
  • one shot film
  • one word title
  • compliance officer
  • money
  • young
  • agent
Where to watch

Where to Watch Limbo

Rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Limbo Cast & Characters

Tilman Strauss leads the cast as Carsten / Yannik, with Martin Semmelrogge as Ozzy and Elisa Schlott as Ana Bergmann. Directed by Tim Dünschede; 8 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Limbo Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (83) and weakest in story & flow (68).

77 /100

Limbo Echo Score Breakdown

Limbo delivers a thoughtful meditation on displacement through a restrained visual style and understated humor. Critics praise its balanced tone and humanistic focus, while many viewers highlight the film’s evoca tive cinematography and resonant performances. Some audience members note pacing irregularities and occasional forced comedy. Overall, the film succeeds in offering a poignant, if imperfect, portrait that lingers after the credits.

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

  • Art & Craft 83

    Artistic craftsmanship in Limbo is marked by measured direction and a minimalist production design. Critics commend Sharrock’s deft handling of tone and the film’s elegant simplicity, while viewers note the effective use of wide‑open landscapes and precise camera work. Minor criticisms focus on a perceived gimmicky picture format. Overall, the art and craft contribute strongly to the film’s atmosphere.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Character work in Limbo hinges on nuanced performances that convey quiet longing. Critics highlight Amir El‑Masry’s restrained portrayal of Omar and the chemistry with Vikash Bhai’s quirky Farhad, noting their emotional resonance. Some audience comments mention occasional forced humor that blunts character depth. In sum, the character dimension is largely effective, anchoring the story despite uneven moments.

  • Story & Flow 68

    Storytelling in Limbo blends comedy with bleak reality, offering an intimate look at asylum seekers’ liminal lives. Critics applaud the film’s heartfelt balance of tragedy and hope, while many viewers appreciate its subtle pacing and reflective tone. Conversely, some reviewers cite a lack of narrative originality and occasional meandering sections. Overall, the story provides a sincere, if at times uneven, narrative thread.

  • Sensory Experience 74

    Sensory elements in Limbo are defined by a restrained score and natural soundscape that underscore the island’s isolation. Critics and viewers alike note the film’s understated visual style, panoramic shots, and effective use of silence to heighten emotional moments. Minor dissent points to a few intrusive picture‑format choices. Overall, the sensory design reinforces the film’s mood without overwhelming the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 71

    Rewatch value of Limbo stems from its subtle humor and lingering emotional resonance. Positive critiques emphasize the film’s meaningful messages and memorable visual moments, encouraging repeat viewings. Some audience members, however, find the pacing and occasional forced comedy reduce its appeal on subsequent watches. In conclusion, the film offers sufficient depth to merit a second look, though it may not fully sustain every viewer.

Plot

Limbo Plot Summary

What happens in Limbo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a fictional remote Scottish island, a group of refugees are placed in a temporary residence as they await the results of their asylum claims, creating a fragile microcosm where small moments loom large and every routine becomes a relief or a strain.

Full summary

The whole story of Limbo, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$921.9K

US & Canada
$224.4K
International
$697.5K
US & Canada 24% Rest of the world 76%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Limbo?

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 instrument does Omar, the main character, keep close to him throughout the film?

Cars

Cars in Limbo

6 cars on screen, including the 1992 Ford Orion MkIII and the 1990 Land-Rover Defender 90.

All 6 cars
  • 1992 Ford Orion MkIII in Limbo 1992 Ford Orion MkIII Important role
  • 1990 Land-Rover Defender 90 in Limbo 1990 Land-Rover Defender 90 Minor role
  • unknown in Limbo unknown Minor role
  • 2004 Vauxhall Combo MkII in Limbo 2004 Vauxhall Combo MkII Minor role

Seen Limbo?

FAQ

Limbo FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Limbo?

Limbo runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Limbo released?

Limbo was released on July 3, 2019.

Who directed Limbo?

Limbo was directed by Tim Dünschede.

More films by Tim Dünschede

Who is in the cast of Limbo?

Limbo stars Tilman Strauss as Carsten / Yannik, Martin Semmelrogge as Ozzy and Elisa Schlott as Ana Bergmann, among 8 credited actors.

Where can I watch Limbo?

In the US, Limbo is available to rent or buy on Google Play Movies and YouTube (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Limbo make at the box office?

Limbo grossed $921,894 worldwide ($224,405 domestic, $697,489 international).

Does Limbo have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is Limbo in?

The original language of Limbo is German.

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