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Mystery drama

Out of Blue (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Out of Blue (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
37%
worldwide gross
$242.8K
Echo Score
50
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Out of Blue (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Carol Morley
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Out of Blue

· 10 more
Ratings

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).

50 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$242.8K

US & Canada
$18.8K
International
$224.1K
US & Canada 8% Rest of the world 92%
Videos

Out of Blue Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Out Of Blue Official UK Trailer | In Cinemas 29 March
  • Trailer Out of Blue ft. Patricia Clarkson & James Caan - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Films
Quiz

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

  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

Who plays the role of Detective Mike Hoolihan?

Cars

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 in Out of Blue 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 in Out of Blue 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212 Important role
  • 1961 Ford Thunderbird in Out of Blue 1961 Ford Thunderbird Minor role
  • 2003 Lincoln Town Car in Out of Blue 2003 Lincoln Town Car Minor role
Details

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
  • 아웃 오브 블루

Seen Out of Blue?

FAQ

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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