Murina (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Murina is a 2022 drama directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic, starring Gracija Filipovic as Julija, Cliff Curtis and Danica Curcic. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $408,213 worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Breakthrough Performance at the Spirit Awards 2023. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Croatian
- Studio
- Kino Lorber
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Murina About?
The premise of Murina without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
On a remote Adriatic island, seventeen-year-old Julija feels trapped by her father's controlling behavior and the weight of family expectations. When a charming, wealthy stranger named Javier arrives, she sees a chance for liberation and a way to break free from her oppressive home life. However, his presence stirs up complex emotions and ignites a power struggle that jeopardizes her hopes for independence and exposes hidden tensions within the family. Julija must confront difficult choices as she navigates a path toward self-discovery and freedom.
Murina Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- teenage girl
- father daughter conflict
- coming of age
- female empowerment
- gender oppression
- f rated
- triple f rated
- friend
- female protagonist
- husband wife relationship
- island
- sea
+38 more Show fewer
- adriatic sea
- seaside
- underwater scene
- boat
- moray eel
- dream sequence
- bare chested male
- singing and playing guitar
- singing
- locked in
- swimming underwater
- swimming
- girl wears a swimsuit
- directorial debut
- writer director
- ship captain
- remote island
- female swimmer
- fishing
- spearfishing
- photo album
- reciting an original poem
- mother daughter relationship
- underwater photography
- sunken boat
- emotional abuse
- rebellious youth
- adolescent
- submissive wife
- abusive man
- sailing yacht
- visitor
- reference to harvard university
- coming of age drama
- title directed by female
- teenage girl wears a bikini
- teenage girl in swimwear
- teenage girl attracted to older man
Murina Cast & Characters
Gracija Filipovic leads the cast as Julija, with Cliff Curtis as Javier and Danica Curcic as Nela. Directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
- Gracija Filipovic as Julija
-
Cliff Curtis as Javier -
Danica Curcic as Nela - Leon Lucev as Ante
Also Starring in Murina
· 6 more- Jonas Smulders David
- Klara Mucci David's Girlfriend
- Milan Strljic Mayor
- Niksa Butijer Pavo
- Mislav Cavajda Albertini
- Marina Redzepovic
Murina Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Murina 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Murina Echo Score Breakdown
Murina presents a visually striking debut that blends Mediterranean scenery with a restrained coming-of-age narrative. Critics commend its composition, nuanced performances, and atmospheric sound, while many viewers note the film’s slow pacing and occasional narrative opacity. The blend of strong artistic craft and thematic ambition yields an uneven but compelling experience, appealing especially to audiences who appreciate mood-driven storytelling in the broader landscape of contemporary cinema.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, Murina demonstrates confident direction and a keen eye for composition, foregrounding the rugged Croatian coast with understated color palettes and measured framing. Critics repeatedly highlight its visual authority and the mesmerizing look and sound design, while a minority of users find the atmospheric cinematography occasionally overwrought. Overall, the film’s aesthetic execution is a notable strength.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character and emotion, the film delivers nuanced performances that convey the protagonist’s yearning for autonomy amid familial oppression. Reviewers praise the intimate chemistry and the psychological depth of the father‑daughter dynamic, though some audience members argue the character arcs feel under‑developed and repetitive. The net impression is that acting provides the emotional core, albeit with occasional shortcomings in depth.
- Story & Flow 60
The story and flow of Murina revolve around a slow‑burn coming‑of‑age plot that prioritizes mood over tight narrative structure. Critics note its measured pacing and occasional ambiguity, while several users criticize the minimal dialogue and lack of a satisfying resolution. Consequently, the storytelling is perceived as poetic yet uneven, offering originality at the expense of cohesive momentum.
- Sensory Experience 78
In terms of sensory experience, Murina excels with its evocative soundscape and striking visual style that captures the stark coastline and muted interiors. Reviewers commend the atmospheric score and the seamless integration of sound design with the film’s visual language. A few viewers feel the pervasive murkiness can be overbearing, but the overall sensory impact remains a central asset.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Murina offers a replay value that resonates with viewers who appreciate its atmospheric depth and visual poetry, prompting some to watch the film multiple times to unpack its layered themes. However, its slow pacing and ambiguous narrative deter others from seeking a second viewing. Overall, the film provides moderate rewatch appeal, stronger for audiences attuned to mood‑driven cinema.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 5.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
45 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Murina Plot Summary
What happens in Murina from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Julija, portrayed by Gracija Filipović, lives with her parents, Ante and Nela, on a secluded island along Croatia’s picturesque Adriatic coast. The film unfolds over a weekend as Ante surprises the family by inviting his long-time friend, Javier, with a proposition to buy their land and transform it into an upscale resort. However, what starts as a friendly visit soon spirals into chaos as buried grudges and family conflicts surface.
As a quiet yet strong-willed teenager, Julija observes her parents’ preparations for Javier’s arrival with a casual disinterest, only joining in when specifically prompted. Julija, an enthusiastic swimmer and skilled spearfisher — often seen in her one-piece swimsuit — frequently escapes to the ocean throughout the weekend, seeking solace in the water.
Full summary
The whole story of Murina, scene by scene
Murina Box Office
Murina grossed $408,213 worldwide. $55,762 came from the US and Canada and $352,451 (86%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$408.2K
- US & Canada
- $55.8K
- International
- $352.5K
Murina Awards & Nominations
Murina earned 4 award nominations, including Best Breakthrough Performance at the Spirit Awards 2023. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Spirit Awards 2023.
4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 2023 3 nominations- Nominated Best Breakthrough Performance – Gracija Filipovic
- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best First Feature
-
DGA Awards 2023 1 nomination- Nominated First-Time Feature Film – Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
Murina Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer Murina – Official U.S. Trailer
- Clip
How Well Do You Know Murina?
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
Where does the movie take place?
Murina Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Murēna” and “Мурина”.
- Also known as
-
- Murēna
- Мурина
- Muréna
- 海鳝
- 무리나
- 湛藍青春海
- Τελευταίο καλοκαίρι
Seen Murina?
Movies Like Murina
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Into the Blue, Malina and Sound of the Sea.
Murina FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Murina, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Murina?
Murina runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Murina released?
Murina was released on July 8, 2022.
Who directed Murina?
Murina was directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic.
Who is in the cast of Murina?
Murina stars Gracija Filipovic as Julija, Cliff Curtis as Javier and Danica Curcic as Nela, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Murina make at the box office?
Murina grossed $408,213 worldwide ($55,762 domestic, $352,451 international).
How is Murina rated?
Murina has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Was Murina nominated for any awards?
Murina received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Murina have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Murina has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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