Mars Express (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Mars Express is a 2024 animated thriller directed by Jérémie Périn, starring Léa Drucker as Aline Ruby, Daniel Njo Lobé and Charlotte Juniere. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide on a $7.9 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2025. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Director
- Jérémie Périn
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Everybody on the Deck
- Budget
- $7.9M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Mars Express About?
The premise of Mars Express without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A private investigator named Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera are tasked with finding a cybercriminal on the harsh Martian frontier. Their investigation leads them into the city's criminal underworld, where they uncover a conspiracy involving brain manipulation, corruption, and the disappearance of a young girl. The case threatens the delicate relationship between humans and robots on Mars.
Where to Watch Mars Express
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Mars Express Cast & Characters
Léa Drucker leads the cast as Aline Ruby, with Daniel Njo Lobé as Carlos Rivera and Charlotte Juniere as Carlos voix femme, Carole Rivera, Réceptionniste. Directed by Jérémie Périn; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jérémie Périn
-
Léa Drucker as Aline Ruby - Daniel Njo Lobé as Carlos Rivera
- Charlotte Juniere as Carlos voix femme, Carole Rivera, Réceptionniste
- Marie Bouvet as Roberta Williams
Also Starring in Mars Express
· 16 more- Geneviève Doang Jun Chow, Jun Chow 2
- Mathieu Amalric Chris Royjacker
- Marthe Keller Beryl
- Sébastien Chassagne Inspector Simon Gordaux
- Serge Faliu Faux M. Chow, Père de Jun, Reporter
- Nathalie Karsenty Jeanine, Voix pub
- Nicolas Justamon Gigolo, Brian Jobi, Flic 2
- Thierry Jahn Vlasek, Vendeur, Homme du bar
- Angéline Henneguelle Manifestants, Dominique
- Fanny Vambacas Standardiste, Bouteille de whisky, Annonce aéroport
- Thomas Roditi Lem
- Eilias Changuel Gilbert, Brigadier, Droïde
- Bárbara Del Sol Mme Viger, Experte 3, Présentatrice 4
- Jérémie Bedrune Flic augmenté, Philippe, William
- Pierre Séverin Professeur
- Cerise Vaubien Isis
Mars Express Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Mars Express 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (70).
Mars Express Echo Score Breakdown
In summary, Mars Express stands out for its compelling integration of detailed 2D animation and a thematically rich sci-fi narrative. Reviewers highlight its strong craftsmanship and nuanced exploration of human and machine interactions, supported by an immersive cyberpunk aesthetic and a dynamic musical score. Although certain characters and subplots receive less development and pacing can feel uneven, the film’s intricate world-building and compelling visuals deliver enduring appeal. Overall, Mars Express offers a satisfying experience that rewards multiple viewings and leaves a lasting impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, Mars Express excels with fluid 2D animation and meticulous production design. Reviews frequently commend its hand-drawn aesthetic enhanced by subtle 3D elements and cohesive world-building, underscored by technically accomplished editing. A few viewers note occasional lapses in graphic polish, but overall the film’s visual presentation is both polished and engaging.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Mars Express offers compelling human drama anchored by the chemistry between its lead detective and android partner. Critics highlight its nuanced exploration of moral complexity and emotional resonance. Some viewers point out that secondary characters feel underdeveloped and that emotional arcs wane late. Nonetheless, the principal performances remain engaging throughout.
- Story & Flow 70
When evaluating story and flow, Mars Express presents a densely layered detective narrative enriched by philosophical subtext and original sci-fi concepts. Reviews praise its gripping intrigue and measured pacing in action sequences. However, some observers find the plot occasionally convoluted, note uneven pacing, and criticize a rushed conclusion. Overall, it sustains engagement despite minor structural gaps.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of sensory experience, Mars Express features a nervy, electronic score and dynamic sound design that amplify its tense sci-fi atmosphere. The cyberpunk-inspired visual style is bold and cohesive, reinforcing thematic depth. A small subset of viewers mention inconsistent musical accompaniment, but for most the combined audio-visual presentation is striking and immersive.
- Rewatch Factor 80
When considering rewatch value, Mars Express rewards repeat viewings with its intricate subtext and abundant visual Easter eggs. Critics note that layered world-building and nuanced dialogues become more revealing on subsequent watches. Although a few viewers find its pacing less conducive to multiple viewings, most agree the film’s depth and craftsmanship offer substantial replay appeal.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 86%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.0 /5
88341 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Mars Express Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Mars Express from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the year 2200, private detective Aline Ruby, Léa Drucker, teams up with Carlos Rivera, Daniel Njo Lobé, an android replica of her partner who died five years earlier, and they are sent back to Earth to pursue Roberta Williams, a notorious robot-hacking criminal. On Mars, the trail sharpens when Roberta Williams, Marie Bouvet, somehow slips away as her arrest warrant vanishes, and she is unexpectedly set free. The assignment immediately twists into something bigger and more urgent than a routine capture: the duo must locate Jun Chow, a cybernetics student famous for illegally jailbreaking androids, who has also vanished along with her roommate. Jun Chow, Geneviève Doang, becomes the focal point of a broader mystery that links rogue technology to a hidden underworld.
Full summary
The whole story of Mars Express, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Mars Express Box Office & Budget
Mars Express grossed $1.5 million worldwide on a $7.9 million budget, 19% of what it cost. $200,581 came from the US and Canada and $1.3 million (87%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.5M
19% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $200.6K
- International
- $1.3M
- Budget
- $7.9M
Mars Express Awards & Nominations
Mars Express earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2025.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Annie Awards 2025 1 nomination- Nominated Best Animated Feature — Independent
Mars Express Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official English Trailer
- Teaser Official Teaser Trailer
- Teaser Mars Express will take you on a trip
- Clip Preview [Subtitled]
How Well Do You Know Mars Express?
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
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the story set?
Mars Express Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “마스 익스프레스” and “火星快车”.
- Also known as
-
- 마스 익스프레스
- 火星快车
- 火星特快
- 화성특급
- 火星叛客
- 火星號列車
- Mars Express. Świat, który nadejdzie
- Марс-Експрес
- Марс Экспресс
- מאדים אקספרס
- Chuyến Tàu Sao Hỏa
- Mars Expressz
+2 more Show fewer
- Марс експрес
- Marsi ekspress
Seen Mars Express?
Mars Express FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Mars Express, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mars Express?
Mars Express runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was Mars Express released?
Mars Express was released on May 3, 2024.
Who directed Mars Express?
Mars Express was directed by Jérémie Périn.
More films by Jérémie Périn Who is in the cast of Mars Express?
Mars Express stars Léa Drucker as Aline Ruby, Daniel Njo Lobé as Carlos Rivera and Charlotte Juniere as Carlos voix femme, Carole Rivera, Réceptionniste, among 20 credited actors.
Where can I watch Mars Express?
In the US, Mars Express is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Mars Express make at the box office?
Mars Express grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($200,581 domestic, $1.3 million international) on a budget of $7.9 million.
How is Mars Express rated?
Mars Express has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic, 75% on TMDB and 4.0/5 on Letterboxd.
Was Mars Express nominated for any awards?
Mars Express received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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