Out of Blue (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Out of Blue is a 2019 mystery drama directed by Carol Morley, starring Patricia Clarkson as Detective Mike Hoolihan, Jacki Weaver and Mamie Gummer. It is based on Night Train by Martin Amis. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $242,847 worldwide. Critics gave it 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Carol Morley
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- IFC Films
- Based on
- Night Train by Martin Amis
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Out of Blue About?
The premise of Out of Blue without spoilers, adapted from Night Train by Martin Amis. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A detective in New Orleans investigates the murder of an astrophysicist and finds herself drawn into a baffling case involving quantum mechanics and the nature of reality. As she follows a trail of cryptic clues, she confronts perplexing questions about parallel universes and cosmic phenomena. The search for the killer becomes intertwined with a deeper exploration of existence, challenging her perception of the world and threatening to shatter her sense of self.
Out of Blue Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- female detective
- cat
- murder
- serial murder
- astronomy
- black hole
- stardust
- cane
- limping man
- dumping cremated ashes into a garbage bin
- hallucination
- .38 calibre pistol
+38 more Show fewer
- new orleans louisiana
- investigation
- family relationships
- cremated remains
- father daughter relationship
- mother daughter relationship
- brother sister relationship
- blood
- blood splatter
- planetarium
- telescope
- begins with text
- suicide
- gun
- black american
- african american
- woman hits a man
- drink
- drinking
- drunkenness
- alcoholics anonymous
- mask
- portrait painting
- photograph
- family portrait painting
- pole dancer
- computer
- skyping
- singing
- singer
- song
- listening to music
- recording
- record player
- cafe
- restaurant
- tape recorder
- tape cassette
Out of Blue Cast & Characters
Patricia Clarkson leads the cast as Detective Mike Hoolihan, with Jacki Weaver as Miriam Rockwell and Mamie Gummer as Jennifer Rockwell. Directed by Carol Morley; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Carol Morley
-
Patricia Clarkson as Detective Mike Hoolihan -
Jacki Weaver as Miriam Rockwell -
Mamie Gummer as Jennifer Rockwell -
Brad Mann as Walt Rockwell
Also Starring in Out of Blue
· 10 more- Alyshia Ochse Laurel Ann Rockwell
- Toby Jones Prof Ian Strammi
- James Caan Colonel Tom Rockwell
- Jonathan Majors Duncan J Reynolds
- Lucy Faust Ruby School Friend
- Thomas Francis Murphy
- Tenea Intriago Lucy
- Gary Grubbs Mr. Torby
- Aaron Tveit Tony Silvero
- Yolonda Ross Janey McBride
Out of Blue Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Out of Blue 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in character & emotion (35).
Out of Blue Echo Score Breakdown
Out of Blue delivers a visually distinct and thematically ambitious experience, but its uneven execution limits overall impact. The film’s blend of noir investigation and metaphysical rumination divides opinion, as strong stylistic choices compete with a fragmented narrative and detached characterizations. While some viewers find value in its dreamlike atmosphere and philosophical reach, many criticize the pacing and lack of emotional grounding. On balance, the movie offers moments of intrigue but falls short of cohesive engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 72
In terms of Art & Craft, the film stands out for its striking cinematography and production design that evoke a tense, dreamlike New Orleans. The direction employs an understated color palette and precise framing, creating memorable compositions. Editing choices reinforce the metaphysical tone, although occasional lapses in rhythm and focus expose the film’s imperfections. Overall, the visual style remains the project’s most consistently engaging aspect.
- Character & Emotion 35
When it comes to Character & Emotion, performances often feel detached and underdeveloped, undermining audience investment. The lead detective remains distant, with limited emotional resonance, and supporting roles rarely escape archetypal noir parameters. Script choices restrict opportunities for nuanced interactions, resulting in flat chemistry and minimal depth. As a result, character moments struggle to achieve meaningful engagement or lasting emotional impact.
- Story & Flow 45
Regarding Story & Flow, the narrative displays ambition in merging detective procedural with metaphysical inquiry, but it frequently becomes cluttered and predictable. Pacing varies between halting exposition and drawn-out philosophical asides, which diminishes overall momentum. Original ideas surface in brief flashes, yet the core mystery remains telegraphed and unresolved in places. Consequently, the plot’s uneven coherence prevents sustained narrative engagement.
- Sensory Experience 68
In terms of Sensory Experience, the film excels through its evocative visual style and atmospheric sound design. Conrad Hall’s cinematography flattens the cityscape into an oppressive backdrop, while a restrained score underscores the film’s introspective tone. Production elements cohere to support a neo-noir mood, even as occasional lapses in sound mixing and metaphysical imagery integration create minor distractions. Overall, the sensory layer remains a key strength.
- Rewatch Factor 50
When assessing Rewatch Factor, some viewers may uncover fresh details and appreciate the film’s thematic subtleties on repeat viewings. Its visual flourishes and philosophical allusions offer hidden nuances. However, the narrative’s opacity and predictable resolution limit enduring appeal, and the lack of emotional stakes reduces motivation for multiple viewings. Ultimately, rewatch value is mixed, appealing more to those intrigued by style than story.
-
IMDb 4.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 37% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 32%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 52% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.6 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Out of Blue Plot Summary
What happens in Out of Blue from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Detective Mike Hoolihan (Patricia Clarkson) embarks on a complex investigation following the shocking murder of Jennifer Rockwell (Mamie Gummer), an astrophysicist who was found dead at an observatory in New Orleans. Just hours earlier, Jennifer had captivated her audience with a talk on black holes, only to be discovered lifeless the next morning by the observatory’s manager, Prof Ian Strammi (Toby Jones). Mysteriously, Jennifer was shot in the face, yet there was no firearm present at the scene. Odd objects such as a sock and a jar of moisturizing cream become significant clues as the investigation unfolds.
Full summary
The whole story of Out of Blue, scene by scene
Out of Blue Box Office
Out of Blue grossed $242,847 worldwide. $18,779 came from the US and Canada and $224,068 (92%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$242.8K
- US & Canada
- $18.8K
- International
- $224.1K
Out of Blue Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Out of Blue ft. Patricia Clarkson & James Caan - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Films
How Well Do You Know Out of Blue?
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
Who plays the role of Detective Mike Hoolihan?
Cars in Out of Blue
4 cars on screen, including the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212.
-
1998 Ford Crown Victoria Important role -
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 Important role -
1961 Ford Thunderbird Minor role -
2003 Lincoln Town Car Minor role
Out of Blue Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Изневиделица” and “Из ниоткуда”.
- Also known as
-
- Изневиделица
- Из ниоткуда
- Космически тайни
- Ни из чега
- Znenadání
- Out of Blue - Indagine pericolosa
- Niebieski pył
- Kozmikus titkok
- El asesino del calibre 38
- 突如其来
- Aniden
- Mistérios do Universo
+1 more Show fewer
- 아웃 오브 블루
Seen Out of Blue?
Movies Like Out of Blue
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Out of the Blue, Out of the Blue and Out of Time.
Out of Blue FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Out of Blue, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Out of Blue?
Out of Blue runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Out of Blue released?
Out of Blue was released on March 22, 2019.
Who directed Out of Blue?
Out of Blue was directed by Carol Morley.
More films by Carol Morley Who is in the cast of Out of Blue?
Out of Blue stars Patricia Clarkson as Detective Mike Hoolihan, Jacki Weaver as Miriam Rockwell and Mamie Gummer as Jennifer Rockwell, among 14 credited actors.
How much did Out of Blue make at the box office?
Out of Blue grossed $242,847 worldwide ($18,779 domestic, $224,068 international).
How is Out of Blue rated?
Out of Blue has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 52% on TMDB.
Is Out of Blue based on a book?
Yes. Out of Blue is adapted from Night Train by Martin Amis.
Does Out of Blue have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Out of Blue has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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