Radioactive (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Radioactive is a 2019 romantic drama directed by Marjane Satrapi, starring Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie, Sam Riley and Jennifer White. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $3.5 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Its Echo Score is 63/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Marjane Satrapi
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Working Title Films
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Radioactive About?
The premise of Radioactive without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A look at the life of Marie Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist who conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity. The film explores her remarkable scientific achievements and the profound impact of her discoveries alongside her husband, Pierre. Their work with radium revolutionized the 20th century, forever changing science and medicine, while also revealing the personal sacrifices and challenges they faced.
Radioactive Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- scientist
- nobel prize winner
- radioactivity
- radiation
- marie curie character
- female scientist
- female rear nudity
- physicist
- science
- physics
- chemistry
- discovery
+38 more Show fewer
- polonium
- chemical element
- radium
- paris france
- reference to henri becquerel
- marriage
- nobel prize
- stockholm sweden
- nonlinear timeline
- pierre curie character
- atomic bomb
- death of husband
- loie fuller character
- world war one
- hospital
- cancer
- nurse
- the enola gay bomber
- female nudity
- adultery
- arrogance
- pride
- genius
- fear
- sidewalk cafe
- reference to isaac newton
- female topless nudity
- breasts
- female star appears nude
- woman skinny dipping
- based on true story
- year 1934
- year 1893
- polish woman
- flashback
- pitchblende
- kiss
- seance
Radioactive Cast & Characters
Rosamund Pike leads the cast as Marie Curie, with Sam Riley as Pierre Curie and Jennifer White as Radium Dancer. Directed by Marjane Satrapi; 44 actors are credited in all.
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Director Marjane Satrapi
-
Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie -
Sam Riley as Pierre Curie -
Jennifer White as Radium Dancer -
Aneurin Barnard as Paul Langevin
Also Starring in Radioactive
· 40 more- Katherine Parkinson Jeanne Langevin
- Drew Jacoby Loie Fuller
- Edward Davis Frédéric
- Corey Johnson Adam
- Simon Russell Beale Professor Lippmann
- Tim Woodward Alexandre
- Mark Phelan Delivery Man
- Demetri Goritsas Dr Jenkins
- Anya Taylor-Joy Irène Aged 18
- Sian Brooke Bronia Sklodowska
- Federica Fracassi Eusapia
- Georgina Rich Marie's Mother
- Péter Fancsikai Henrik
- Ralph Berkin Doctor
- Alexis Latham Guard
- Indica Watson Irène Aged 6
Show all 44 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harriet Turnbull Young Marie
- Mirjam Novak Nurse
- Richard Pepple Lester Jackson
- Ariella Glaser Irène Aged 11
- Cara Bossom Ève Aged 11
- Faye Bradbrook Bronia's Maid
- Yvette Feuer Carla
- Paul Albertson Tibbets
- Dóra Köves Pierre's Mother
- Yasuhito Ishikawa Japanese Man
- Robbie Moore Radium Dancer
- Alex Bartram Daniel
- Elise Alexandre Young Bronia
- Charles Tumbridge Peter
- Arthur Bateman Young Pierre
- Ema Yuasa Radium Dancer
- Nicola Willis Radium Dancer
- Joseph Kudra Radium Dancer
- Acacia Schachte Radium Dancer
- Jonas Vanderkerckhove Radium Dancer
- Oscar Ramos Radium Dancer
- Isabella Miles Ève Aged 4
- Martin Anzor Dimitri
- Tamás Szabó Bernard
Radioactive Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).
Radioactive Echo Score Breakdown
Radioactive presents a visually compelling portrait of Marie Curie, buoyed by Rosamund Pike’s nuanced performance and inventive dream sequences, yet it suffers from a fragmented narrative that hampers engagement. Critics and viewers alike note the film’s striking cinematography and ambitious stylistic choices, but many cite pacing issues and a disjointed structure that dilute its emotional impact. Consequently, the biopic offers moments of artistic merit tempered by storytelling inconsistencies, resulting in a mixed overall impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film excels in visual composition, with critics highlighting hypnotic cinematography and striking production design. However, the editing and narrative flow are described as disjointed, and the structure is perceived as rushed or messy. The combination of strong visual elements and weaker editing yields a moderately positive assessment. Overall, the artistic execution is commendable but hindered by inconsistent craftsmanship.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character and emotion, Rosamund Pike receives consistent praise for delivering a layered, convincing portrayal of Marie Curie. Supporting performances are also noted as solid, adding depth to the ensemble. Some viewers, however, found it difficult to connect with the characters, describing the experience as tedious. The predominance of positive feedback on acting outweighs the occasional disengagement, leading to a generally favorable view of the film’s character work.
- Story & Flow 50
Regarding story and flow, the biopic is often characterized as uneven and rushed, with critics mentioning a lack of coherent structure and reliance on familiar biopic tropes. The inclusion of dream sequences provides originality, yet the overall pacing and narrative cohesion are seen as fragmented. User comments echo these concerns, noting the film feels disjointed and could have benefited from a longer format. Consequently, the storytelling is assessed as mediocre.
- Sensory Experience 75
The sensory experience stands out through evocative visual style and a distinctive musical score, with reviewers highlighting dreamlike sequences that enrich the film’s atmosphere. Sound design receives little criticism, and the overall audiovisual presentation is described as striking and immersive. While some narrative aspects detract from the experience, the sensory components maintain a high level of effectiveness, resulting in a strongly positive evaluation for this aspect.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor considerations reveal a divided audience; some viewers appreciate the film’s odd, arthouse qualities and find it enjoyable on subsequent viewings, while others feel the story’s disjointed nature limits repeat appeal. The broad scope and episodic feel suggest a longer format might serve the material better, reducing replay motivation. Overall, the film offers modest rewatch potential, balancing curiosity about its visual flair with narrative shortcomings.
Radioactive Plot Summary
What happens in Radioactive 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
In 1934, Marie Curie collapses in her laboratory in Paris. As she is rushed to the hospital, she remembers her life. In 1893 she was frequently rejected for funding due to her attitude, which she had in common with Pierre Curie. This joint attitude issue with the leading academic authorities led her to share a laboratory with Pierre Curie.
Full summary
The whole story of Radioactive, scene by scene
Radioactive Box Office & Budget
Radioactive grossed $3.5 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 18% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$3.5M
18% of its budget back
- International
- $3.5M
- Budget
- $20M
Radioactive Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Radioactive.
How Well Do You Know Radioactive?
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 does the film open with Marie Curie collapsing in her laboratory?
Cars in Radioactive
11 cars on screen, including the 1917 Ford Model T and the Ambulance.
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1917 Ford Model T Important role -
Ambulance Important role -
Willys Jeep CJ-3B Minor role -
ZiL 131 Minor role
Seen Radioactive?
Movies Like Radioactive
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Radioactive, Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge and Pierre and Marie.
Radioactive FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Radioactive, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Radioactive?
Radioactive runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Radioactive released?
Radioactive was released on September 6, 2019.
Who directed Radioactive?
Radioactive was directed by Marjane Satrapi.
More films by Marjane Satrapi Who is in the cast of Radioactive?
Radioactive stars Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie, Sam Riley as Pierre Curie and Jennifer White as Radium Dancer, among 44 credited actors.
How much did Radioactive make at the box office?
Radioactive grossed $3.5 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million.
Does Radioactive have a post-credit scene?
No. Radioactive has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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