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Sci-fi thriller

Serenity (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Serenity (2019) movie poster

Serenity is a 2019 sci-fi thriller directed by Steven Knight, starring Matthew McConaughey as Baker Dill, Anne Hathaway and Djimon Hounsou. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $14.5 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
21%
worldwide gross
$14.5M
Echo Score
40
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Serenity (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Steven Knight
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Serenity About?

The premise of Serenity without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Captain Baker Dill leads a quiet life fishing on Plymouth Island, but his solitude is shattered by the sudden reappearance of his ex-wife, Karen. She asks him to help her escape her abusive husband, requesting that he take him on a fishing trip from which there may be no return. As Dill grapples with his conscience and the potential consequences of his actions, he finds himself caught in a web of deceit and peril, and his peaceful world begins to fall apart.

Serenity Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • fishing boat
  • neo noir
  • tuna
  • abusive husband
  • murder plot
  • fishing
  • boat
  • simulation game
  • abused wife
  • fisherman
  • island
  • video game world
+38 more
  • captain
  • contract killing
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • father son relationship
  • playing a video game
  • video game programmer
  • dead father
  • boy genius
  • obsession
  • self aware fictional character talking to their creator
  • video game avatar
  • fantasy versus reality
  • plot twist
  • abusive relationship
  • domestic abuse
  • domestic violence
  • video game simulation
  • male rear nudity
  • male prostitution
  • sex on a boat
  • abusive stepfather
  • iraq war veteran
  • genre changing plot twist
  • blood
  • skinny dipping
  • jumping into water
  • childhood trauma
  • breaking the rules of a game
  • artificial intelligence program
  • catching a shark
  • predestination
  • fisherman's luck
  • broken hand
  • tropical bar
  • tropical island
  • sadist
  • seagull
  • stepson murders stepfather
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Cast & crew

Serenity Cast & Characters

Matthew McConaughey leads the cast as Baker Dill, with Anne Hathaway as Karen Zariakas and Djimon Hounsou as Duke. Directed by Steven Knight; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Serenity

· 10 more
From the director

More from Steven Knight

More films directed by Steven Knight, best-rated first: Locke, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, Redemption and Hummingbird.

Full filmography
Ratings

Serenity Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Serenity 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in story & flow (35).

40 /100

Serenity Echo Score Breakdown

Serenity exhibits ambitious visual and narrative intentions but falls short in execution across multiple fronts. Reviewers frequently point out a lack of coherent plotting and uneven stylistic choices that undermine its thematic ambitions. Performances oscillate between engaging and overwrought, contributing to an inconsistent emotional tone. As a result, the film leaves a mixed-to-negative impression that limits its overall appeal. It rarely delivers a compelling overall experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, Serenity alternates between striking visual flourishes and technically flawed sequences. The production design offers moments of imaginative world-building, yet editing choices sometimes disrupt narrative clarity. Cinematography captures vibrant color palettes in key set pieces but often lacks cohesion. Overall, the film’s craft feels uneven, with distinct style glimpses hindered by inconsistent execution.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast delivers intermittently engaging performances amid uneven character development. Lead actors inject charisma into select scenes, but sudden tonal shifts undercut emotional continuity. Chemistry among principal roles is sporadic, and secondary figures receive limited depth. Ultimately, the film struggles to foster a consistent emotional connection with its characters.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, Serenity suffers from a convoluted plot and uneven pacing. Early narrative twists generate initial interest, but subsequent developments become predictable or muddled. Plot coherence falters due to abrupt scene transitions and inconsistent stakes, leading to diminishing engagement. The film’s ambitious mystery framework never fully coalesces into a satisfying or coherent storyline.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When assessing the sensory experience, Serenity presents a mix of stylish visuals and variable auditory design. The score contains moments of serenity-themed resonance, yet sound design occasionally feels overpowered by dialogue emphasis. Visual style embraces vivid fantasy elements, though cohesion wavers in tonal shifts. Altogether, the film’s sensory palette offers intrigue without consistently sustaining immersive impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In analyzing the rewatch factor, Serenity maintains modest appeal for viewers intrigued by its ambitious concepts. Some may revisit for its experimental style or thematic intentions, but uneven execution and narrative inconsistencies limit lasting enthusiasm. The film’s amusing misfires might entertain small audiences on repeat viewings, yet its flawed structure reduces broader replay value.

Plot

Serenity Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Serenity from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

While living a tranquil existence on the island of Plymouth, local fisherman Baker Dill experiences unexplainable and bizarre visions. He spends his days aboard his fishing boat, Serenity, alongside his companion Duke, tirelessly hunting a formidable tuna he has named “the beast.” Day after day, Baker returns from his fishing expeditions disappointed and empty-handed. In the midst of this, he also engages in a romantic relationship with the local woman Constance.

Full summary

The whole story of Serenity, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Serenity Box Office & Budget

Serenity grossed $14.5 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 58% of what it cost. $8.5 million came from the US and Canada and $5.9 million (41%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.5M

58% of its budget back

US & Canada
$8.5M
International
$5.9M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 59% Rest of the world 41%
Videos

Serenity Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Serenity.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Serenity?

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

What is the name of the protagonist who is a local fisherman?

Cars

Cars in Serenity

3 cars on screen, including the 1992 Nissan Truck and the Ashok Leyland unknown.

  • 1992 Nissan Truck in Serenity 1992 Nissan Truck Main role
  • Ashok Leyland unknown in Serenity Ashok Leyland unknown Minor role
  • 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 in Serenity 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W204 Minor role
Details

Serenity Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Serenity - Im Netz der Versuchung, obsesión” and “セレニティー 平穏の海”.

Also known as
  • Serenity - Im Netz der Versuchung, obsesión
  • セレニティー 平穏の海
  • Море соблазна
  • Море спокуси
  • Фатално затишие
  • Vihar előtt
  • Apgaulinga ramybė
  • מים שקטים
  • Calmaria
  • Im Netz der Versuchung
  • Το Νησί Της Αποπλάνησης
  • 세레니티
+19 more
  • Serenity - L'isola dell'inganno
  • Calmul dinaintea furtunii
  • 惊涛迷局
  • Serenity: Ticho pred búrkou
  • Ticho před bouří
  • آرامش
  • Serenidade
  • Obsesión
  • Sérénité
  • Meelerahu
  • Спокој
  • Vedrina
  • Przynęta
  • 驚濤佈局, სერენიტი
  • Sükûnet
  • Pirms vētras
  • เซเรนิตี้
  • セレニティー: 平穏の海
  • Trò Chơi Tình Ái

Seen Serenity?

FAQ

Serenity FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Serenity?

Serenity runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Serenity released?

Serenity was released on January 25, 2019.

Who directed Serenity?

Serenity was directed by Steven Knight.

More films by Steven Knight

Who is in the cast of Serenity?

Serenity stars Matthew McConaughey as Baker Dill, Anne Hathaway as Karen Zariakas and Djimon Hounsou as Duke, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Serenity make at the box office?

Serenity grossed $14.5 million worldwide ($8.5 million domestic, $5.9 million international) on a budget of $25 million.

How is Serenity rated?

Serenity has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.

Does Serenity have a post-credit scene?

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

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