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Action drama

Space Sweepers (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Space Sweepers (2021) movie poster

Space Sweepers is a 2021 action drama directed by Sung-hee Jo, starring Richard Armitage as Sullivan, Hyang-gi Kim and Hye-jin Yu. It runs 2 hours 16 minutes and earned $24,571 worldwide on a $21 million budget. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
70%
worldwide gross
$24.6K
Echo Score
83
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Space Sweepers (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 16m (136 min)
Director
Sung-hee Jo
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
Korean
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$21M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Space Sweepers About?

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

In a future where space junk salvaging is a profitable trade, the crew of the spaceship Victory, a group of eccentric misfits, are the best in the business. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they discover a young robot girl aboard a crashed spacecraft. Believing she holds significant value, they devise a risky plan to ransom her, leading them into a thrilling adventure filled with danger, action, and unforeseen consequences.

Space Sweepers Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • space pirate
  • android
  • robot sci fi
  • space opera
  • korean
  • robot
  • adopting a daughter
  • oxygen mask
  • year 2092
  • morgue
  • dead girl
  • gas mask
+38 more
  • work visa
  • space elevator
  • orbiting habitat
  • uts company
  • oxygen producing plant
  • one uts dollar bill
  • harpoon
  • space salvage
  • tether
  • holey sock
  • blowing a bubble
  • money counter
  • playing poker
  • fight
  • crowbar
  • missing child
  • sneeze
  • whistling kettle
  • nanobot
  • child's drawing
  • force shield
  • genetically modified organism
  • selling tomatoes
  • scissors
  • lipstick
  • babbling
  • deaf child
  • homelessness
  • waffle
  • applying make up
  • black fox fluorescent tattoo
  • stabbed to death
  • crawling through an air shaft
  • lagrange point
  • nightmare
  • meteor impact
  • father and daughter reunited
  • pack of five hundred uts dollar bills
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Cast & crew

Space Sweepers Cast & Characters

Richard Armitage leads the cast as Sullivan, with Hyang-gi Kim as Humanoid Robot Bubs and Hye-jin Yu. Directed by Sung-hee Jo; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Space Sweepers

· 6 more
From the director

More from Sung-hee Jo

One more film directed by Sung-hee Jo: Phantom Detective.

Full filmography
Ratings

Space Sweepers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Space Sweepers 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

83 /100

Space Sweepers Echo Score Breakdown

Space Sweepers offers vibrant production design and compelling performances but uneven story coherence undercuts its momentum. The film’s cinematography and special effects earn consistent praise for their immersive scale, while the central ensemble garners commendation for emotional resonance and chemistry. However, critics and viewers note intermittent pacing issues and narrative clutter that detract from sustained engagement. On balance, it remains a highly entertaining space adventure with minor structural flaws.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its visual presentation and production design. Reviewers highlight striking cinematography, dynamic set pieces, and detailed environments that create a vibrant futuristic world. Some note that editing choices occasionally result in extended sequences, but the overall direction and visual coherence deliver an engaging aesthetic experience. The art direction stands out as a major asset.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Space Sweepers succeeds with its ensemble dynamics and nuanced performances. The leads exhibit strong chemistry and convey genuine stakes through personal arcs, anchoring the narrative in relatable motivations. A few observers mention tonal shifts that can undercut certain emotional beats, but the core cast maintains consistent rapport. The characters’ depth and interactions form one of the film’s most compelling aspects.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film delivers imaginative twists and brisk action rhythms but struggles with coherence and pacing. Critiques point to backloaded exposition that slows the narrative and unevenly structured plot developments. Viewer feedback echoes concerns over occasional clichés and minor logical gaps. Overall, the storyline provides sufficient entertainment value but falls short of sustained clarity and narrative depth.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When considering sensory experience, the movie delivers powerful spectacle with immersive sound design and a dynamic musical score. The visual effects and kinetic action sequences consistently impress, crafting a gritty yet polished futurescape. A small number of viewers cite cluttered framing or overly busy moments, but the prevailing sentiment praises its audio-visual immersion. The film’s sensory impact ranks among its greatest achievements.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    For rewatch factor, opinions vary between enthusiastic returns and limited repeat appeal due to narrative shortcomings. Genre fans appreciate the film’s energetic action set pieces and expansive worldbuilding on subsequent viewings. However, underdeveloped plot threads and moments of uneven pacing can lessen the desire for multiple revisits. Ultimately, the replay value remains solid for devoted enthusiasts but may not sustain broader long-term appeal.

Plot

Space Sweepers Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Space Sweepers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2092, Earth is on the brink of collapse, nearly unlivable due to pollution and scarcity. The UTS Corporation steps in, establishing an orbital sanctuary designed to replicate the Earth’s ecosystem, but entry is limited to an exclusive group of citizens. Meanwhile, the majority are left to struggle on a deteriorating planet, where surviving by scavenging is the only option.

Under the leadership of James Sullivan, UTS is focused on transforming Mars into a new home for humanity by cultivating genetically engineered flora, seeking to create a sustainable environment for future settlers. To control the population in orbit, a rigid set of regulations and taxes is enforced, leading many non-citizens to work as space sweepers, collecting debris to barter for their livelihoods.

Full summary

The whole story of Space Sweepers, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Space Sweepers Box Office & Budget

Space Sweepers grossed $24,571 worldwide on a $21 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$24.6K

International
$24.6K
Budget
$21M
Videos

Space Sweepers Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Space Sweepers | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Featurette [Behind the Scenes] Building the spaceship Victory universe | Space Sweepers Featurette [ENG SUB]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Space Sweepers?

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 year is the story of Space Sweepers set in?

Details

Space Sweepers Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Seungriho” and “Barrenderos Espaciales”.

Also known as
  • Seungriho
  • Barrenderos Espaciales
  • Nova Ordem Espacial
  • 승리호
  • Космічні сміттярі
  • Svemirski čistači otpada
  • Az űrsepregetők
  • スペース・スウィーパーズ
  • Missão Victory
  • Gunoierii Spațiali
  • Космические чистильщики
  • Čističi vesmíru
+14 more
  • Uzay Süpürücüler
  • Spaceship Victory
  • スペース・スウィーパーズ:2021
  • 勝利號
  • 胜利号
  • ויקטורי
  • Con Tàu Chiến Thắng
  • Uzay Çöpçüleri
  • Les ferrailleurs de l'espace
  • ชนชั้นขยะปฏิวัติจักรวาล
  • Kosmoso valytojai
  • Космічні чистильники
  • Космически чистачи
  • سبيس سويبرز

Seen Space Sweepers?

FAQ

Space Sweepers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Space Sweepers?

Space Sweepers runs 2 hours 16 minutes (136 minutes).

When was Space Sweepers released?

Space Sweepers was released on February 5, 2021.

Who directed Space Sweepers?

Space Sweepers was directed by Sung-hee Jo.

More films by Sung-hee Jo

Who is in the cast of Space Sweepers?

Space Sweepers stars Richard Armitage as Sullivan, Hyang-gi Kim as Humanoid Robot Bubs and Hye-jin Yu, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Space Sweepers make at the box office?

Space Sweepers grossed $24,571 worldwide on a budget of $21 million.

How is Space Sweepers rated?

Space Sweepers has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does Space Sweepers have a post-credit scene?

No. Space Sweepers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Space Sweepers in?

The original language of Space Sweepers is Korean.

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