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Drama thriller

Submergence (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Submergence (2018) movie poster

Submergence is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Wim Wenders, starring Alicia Vikander as Danielle Flinders, James McAvoy and Reda Kateb. It is based on Submergence by J. M. Ledgard. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $851,960 worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 9.6/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
9.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
22%
worldwide gross
$852K
Echo Score
50
Submergence (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Wim Wenders
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Submergence About?

The premise of Submergence without spoilers, adapted from Submergence by J. M. Ledgard. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A British intelligence officer and a brilliant bio-mathematician unexpectedly find a connection while each undertakes a perilous, solitary mission. James, a spy, and Danny, studying marine life, are drawn together in a passionate romance, complicating their dangerous assignments. Isolated and facing immense uncertainty, they must confront their feelings while navigating the complexities of espionage and the depths of the ocean.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Submergence

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Submergence Cast & Characters

Alicia Vikander leads the cast as Danielle Flinders, with James McAvoy as James More and Reda Kateb. Directed by Wim Wenders; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Submergence Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Submergence 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 9.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

50 /100

Submergence Echo Score Breakdown

In overall assessment, Submergence displays technical proficiency but falls short in narrative cohesion and emotional depth. Critics and audiences frequently observed strong visual execution and committed performances alongside critiques of pacing issues and fragmented storytelling. The film’s aesthetic strengths, including its cinematography and soundtrack, are praised but cannot fully offset the underdeveloped plot and character arcs. Ultimately, Submergence leaves a modest impression, notable for its craft yet undermined by its narrative shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual presentation and direction stand out positively. Reviews highlighted carefully composed frames, measured camera movement, and attentive production design. The editing was generally competent, contributing to aesthetic coherence in individual scenes. While some found the overall aesthetic superficial, most sentiments agree that the film exhibits a refined visual style that remains its clearest technical asset.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character and emotion, performances by the leads were widely commended for their sincerity and chemistry. However, the emotional resonance was weakened by underdeveloped character arcs and limited depth. Observers noted a persistent detachment that undermined viewer connection despite the actors’ genuine efforts. The result is a mixed impression of capable acting but shallow emotional grounding.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When it comes to story and flow, Submergence struggles with coherence and pacing. The narrative alternates between introspective vignettes and geopolitical subplots without clear integration, leading to a disjointed progression. Many reviews pointed to flickering momentum and an unresolved sense of purpose in the plot. Consequently, the film’s storytelling feels uneven and fails to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film benefits from an evocative score and polished sound design that complement its visual style. Critics and viewers praised the atmospheric soundtrack and crisp audio textures. The visual cohesion, marked by muted color palettes and thoughtful framing, was also well received. Altogether, the sensory elements provide an appealing backdrop even as they cannot fully redeem other shortfalls.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When evaluating the rewatch factor, Submergence offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. While the visual craftsmanship and performances maintain some appeal, the narrative’s lack of depth and uneven pacing reduce lasting attraction. The film’s emotional detachment emerges more strongly on subsequent watches, leading to a modest replay value that may not endure beyond initial interest.

Plot

Submergence Plot Summary

What happens in Submergence from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A talented and idiosyncratic bio-mathematician, Danielle Flinders Alicia Vikander is staying at a seaside hotel on the Normandy coast, where she meets the British agent James More James McAvoy who is awaiting transport to Somalia to pursue Somali jihadist leaders. The two form a quiet, enduring connection as they share conversations that orbit her important undersea work, a theory about life possibly arising in the darkness of deep oceans, and the larger mysteries of existence. More mostly steps away from his stated mission, presenting himself as a water engineer for African non-profits, while Flinders conserves her obsession with discovery and the unknown. Their talks drift between science and philosophy, and Flinders’s introspective thoughts on life and death in the darkness become both intriguing and unsettling to More.

Full summary

The whole story of Submergence, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Submergence Box Office & Budget

Submergence grossed $851,960 worldwide on a $15 million budget, 6% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$852K

6% of its budget back

International
$852K
Budget
$15M
Videos

Submergence Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Submergence - Official Trailer - On DVD March 11
  • Trailer SUBMERGENCE US Trailer - Starring James McAvoy & Alicia Vikander
  • Trailer SUBMERGENCE OFFICIAL TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Submergence?

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 profession of Danielle Flinders?

Cars

Cars in Submergence

12 cars on screen, including the 2014 Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon and the 2012 Renault Grand Scénic.

All 12 cars
  • 2014 Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon in Submergence 2014 Land-Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon Minor role
  • 2012 Renault Grand Scénic in Submergence 2012 Renault Grand Scénic Minor role
  • 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser in Submergence 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Minor role
  • 2010 Ford S-Max MkI in Submergence 2010 Ford S-Max MkI Background role

Seen Submergence?

FAQ

Submergence FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Submergence, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Submergence?

Submergence runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Submergence released?

Submergence was released on April 13, 2018.

Who directed Submergence?

Submergence was directed by Wim Wenders.

More films by Wim Wenders

Who is in the cast of Submergence?

Submergence stars Alicia Vikander as Danielle Flinders, James McAvoy as James More and Reda Kateb, among 15 credited actors.

Where can I watch Submergence?

In the US, Submergence is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Submergence make at the box office?

Submergence grossed $851,960 worldwide on a budget of $15 million.

How is Submergence rated?

Submergence has 9.6/10 on IMDb, 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, 38 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Is Submergence based on a book?

Yes. Submergence is adapted from Submergence by J. M. Ledgard.

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