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Drama thriller

Pacifiction (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Pacifiction (2023) movie poster

Pacifiction is a 2023 drama thriller directed by Albert Serra, starring Benoît Magimel as De Roller, Sergi López and Lluís Serrat. It runs 2 hours 45 minutes and earned $416,721 worldwide. It won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Art Direction at the Gaudí Awards 2023. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$416.7K
awards won
3
Echo Score
67
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Pacifiction (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 45m (165 min)
Director
Albert Serra
Genres
Drama , Thriller
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pacifiction About?

The premise of Pacifiction without spoilers.

In Tahiti, High Commissioner De Roller skillfully manages the island’s complex political landscape, adeptly moving between influential figures and more volatile elements. His composure is tested by persistent rumors of a submarine and the potential resurgence of France’s history with nuclear testing. As he investigates, he finds himself confronting a growing sense of unease and a threat to the delicate balance he has maintained.

Pacifiction Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • french polynesia
  • nuclear test
  • homoerotic
  • homosexual subtext
  • moruroa
  • female writer
  • tahitian
  • speedboat
  • waves
  • surfer
  • jet ski
  • bare chested male
+29 more
  • males dancing
  • male exotic dancing
  • writer
  • man wears white briefs
  • admiral
  • nightclub
  • drunk
  • sunset
  • tahitian culture
  • patronage
  • high commissioner
  • local politics
  • secretary
  • gossip
  • tahiti
  • tahitian dance
  • cock fighting
  • female dj
  • prostitute
  • sailor
  • plane
  • stadium
  • rainy weather
  • rain
  • sunshine
  • french sailor
  • french navy
  • transgender woman
  • transgender
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Cast & crew

Pacifiction Cast & Characters

Benoît Magimel leads the cast as De Roller, with Sergi López as Morton and Lluís Serrat as Lois. Directed by Albert Serra; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pacifiction

· 9 more
From the director

More from Albert Serra

More films directed by Albert Serra, best-rated first: Afternoons of Solitude, The Death of Louis XIV, Story of My Death and Liberté.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pacifiction Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pacifiction 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in sensory experience (84) and weakest in character & emotion (50).

67 /100

Pacifiction Echo Score Breakdown

Pacifiction presents a visually striking meditation on colonial power that divides opinion. Its artful cinematography, vivid color palette, and patient pacing create an immersive atmosphere praised by many, while its fragmented narrative and sparse character development leave a portion of viewers disengaged. Critics note both the film’s hypnotic allure and its meandering length, resulting in a work that feels ambitious yet uneven. Consequently, the film offers a compelling experience for some, but can feel burdensome for others.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    Regarding art and craft, the film excels in visual composition, employing an understated color palette and long naturalistic takes that many reviewers describe as hypnotic and breathtaking. Critics highlight the uneasy equilibrium of beauty and menace, and users praise extraordinary photography and dreamlike scenery. Nonetheless, some note the sluggish editing and excessive runtime that diminish the overall impact. The artistic ambition is evident, though its execution occasionally falters.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    In terms of character and emotion, performances are divisive. Some critics acknowledge a relational equilibrium among players, while others condemn the acting as unbelievable and the characters as underdeveloped. User feedback similarly splits, with a few finding the protagonist’s absurd authority compelling, yet many describing the cast as flat and the dialogue clichéd. Overall, character depth remains limited, reducing emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 58

    Story and flow are marked by a meandering structure that hampers coherence. Critics describe the film as more an evocative collection of prompts than a cohesive narrative, and users frequently cite a weak plot, repetitive pacing, and an overextended runtime. Though thematic ambition concerning colonial politics is noted, the lack of clear storytelling reduces engagement and makes the experience feel uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    The sensory experience stands out as a primary strength, with reviewers highlighting extraordinary cinematography, vivid colors, and immersive sound design that create a hypnotic ambience. Both critics and audiences commend the dreamlike visual style and naturalistic takes, describing them as mesmerizing and aesthetically powerful. Minor criticisms address occasional tonal monotony, yet the overall sensory impact remains compelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 62

    Rewatch factor is mixed; the film’s hypnotic pacing and visual richness encourage repeat viewings for those drawn to its atmosphere, as noted by several positive reviewers. Conversely, many find the length, narrative opacity, and repetitive scenes deter subsequent watches, labeling it a cumbersome experience. Consequently, its lasting appeal is limited to a niche audience.

Box office

Pacifiction Box Office

Pacifiction grossed $416,721 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$416.7K

International
$416.7K
Awards

Pacifiction Awards & Nominations

Pacifiction won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Art Direction at the Gaudí Awards 2023. Its biggest night was the Gaudí Awards 2023, with 3 wins from 11 nominations.

3 wins12 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Pacifiction Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Tráiler
  • Clip Film Fest Gent Clip
Cars

Cars in Pacifiction

3 cars on screen, including the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 and the 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110 Pickup.

  • 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 in Pacifiction 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 Main role
  • 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110 Pickup in Pacifiction 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110 Pickup Minor role
  • unknown in Pacifiction unknown Background role
Details

Pacifiction Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Bora Bora” and “Pacifiction – Tourment sur les îles”.

Also known as
  • Bora Bora
  • Pacifiction – Tourment sur les îles
  • Kluso salu fikcija
  • 퍼시픽션
  • Pacifiction : Tourment sur les îles
  • 岛屿上的煎熬
  • 天堂幻影
  • Мучения на островах
  • Pacifiction - Un mondo sommerso
  • פסיפיקשן
  • パシフィクション

Seen Pacifiction?

FAQ

Pacifiction FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Pacifiction, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pacifiction?

Pacifiction runs 2 hours 45 minutes (165 minutes).

When was Pacifiction released?

Pacifiction was released on February 17, 2023.

Who directed Pacifiction?

Pacifiction was directed by Albert Serra.

More films by Albert Serra

Who is in the cast of Pacifiction?

Pacifiction stars Benoît Magimel as De Roller, Sergi López as Morton and Lluís Serrat as Lois, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Pacifiction make at the box office?

Pacifiction grossed $416,721 worldwide.

How is Pacifiction rated?

Pacifiction has 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic, 62% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

What awards did Pacifiction win?

Pacifiction won 3 awards from 12 nominations, including Best Art Direction at the Gaudí Awards 2023.

Does Pacifiction have a post-credit scene?

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

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