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Romantic drama

Summerland (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Summerland (2020) movie poster

Summerland is a 2020 romantic drama directed by Jessica Swale, starring Gemma Arterton as Alice, Penelope Wilton and Lucas Bond. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
Echo Score
75
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Summerland (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Jessica Swale
Genres
Drama , Romance , War
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Summerland About?

The premise of Summerland without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During World War II, a solitary writer named Alice lives a quiet life by the sea. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when a young evacuee from London, Frank, is unexpectedly sent to her doorstep. Initially reluctant to take him in, Alice gradually forms a deep connection with Frank, uncovering shared experiences and a surprising understanding between them. Their unlikely friendship profoundly alters her isolated world and forces her to confront her own history.

Summerland Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • love
  • lesbian
  • 1940s
  • flashback
  • lesbianism
  • world war two
  • evacuee
  • lesbian love
  • lesbian romance
  • 1920s
  • the blitz
  • lesbian interest
+38 more
  • lesbian couple
  • writer
  • running away
  • london england
  • rural setting
  • kent england
  • village
  • beach
  • folklore
  • boy
  • death of father
  • homophobia
  • lgbtq
  • one word title
  • rationing
  • train
  • train station
  • flashback within a flashback
  • older version of character
  • flapper
  • woman in a bathtub
  • female female kiss
  • manual typewriter
  • reclusive writer
  • cliffside home
  • legal guardian
  • reference to a witch
  • mail slot
  • mirage
  • model airplane
  • bomb shelter
  • water rescue
  • mother son reunion
  • viking funeral
  • white cliffs
  • fata morgana
  • told in flashback
  • singing in a car
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Cast & crew

Summerland Cast & Characters

Gemma Arterton leads the cast as Alice, with Penelope Wilton as Older Alice and Lucas Bond as Frank. Directed by Jessica Swale; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Summerland

· 9 more
From the director

More from Jessica Swale

More films directed by Jessica Swale, best-rated first: Merv and Leading Lady Parts.

Full filmography
Ratings

Summerland Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Summerland 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

75 /100

Summerland Echo Score Breakdown

Summerland presents a warmly crafted period drama that is elevated by strong performances and striking visuals but undermined by an uneven narrative structure. The film’s emphasis on Gemma Arterton’s nuanced portrayal and the lush period design imbues it with consistent emotional warmth. Critics noted preposterous plot twists and jarring shifts among interwoven storylines that disrupt narrative flow. Ultimately, the film delivers charm and sincerity despite its structural inconsistencies.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Summerland benefits from lush cinematography and authentic period design that consistently ground the story. The production values are solid and editing maintains clarity, though direction rarely ventures beyond safe choices. Critics remarked on the film’s polished look but noted a lack of surprising visual flourishes. Overall, the film’s craft establishes an engaging atmosphere without feeling extraordinary.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Summerland is anchored by compelling performances, especially from its lead and supporting cast, that convey genuine depth and warmth. The chemistry among actors fosters emotional resonance, despite occasional sentimentality. Observers praised the integrity of the portrayals, while a few noted moments of manipulative emotion. Overall, the character work remains a key strength.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, Summerland delivers a heartfelt narrative but struggles with coherence due to contrived plot twists and abrupt shifts between interwoven threads. Critics pointed to a preposterous turning point and jarring transitions that disrupt pacing. While moments of engagement arise from poignant scenes, the uneven structure limits the overall narrative momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, Summerland offers a warm and magical atmosphere through its earnest score, sound design, and visual cohesion. The soundtrack gently underscores emotional beats while the period setting and color palette evoke a nostalgic charm. A few reviewers described the tonal shifts as incongruent, but the overall sensory mood remains inviting and cohesive.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, Summerland presents a comforting blend of sentiment and performance that encourages subsequent viewings, though its structural issues may temper full enthusiasm. Many viewers appreciate the film’s emotional warmth and nuanced acting on repeat watch, while others find the uneven pacing less conducive to repeated engagement. Overall, the lasting appeal is moderate and situational.

Plot

Summerland Plot Summary

What happens in Summerland from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1940, Alice Lamb Gemma Arterton sits at her typewriter in a windswept cottage by the Kent coast, a solitary writer whose hard exterior has earned her a reputation among the village as distant or temperamental. She Endures the taunts of local children who treat her as a witch for living on the outskirts and steering clear of the world. Her days unfold in careful ritual, her focus fixed on research into mythology and folklore as the war drags on around her.

Full summary

The whole story of Summerland, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Summerland Box Office

Summerland grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $58,498 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (95%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$58.5K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Videos

Summerland Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 featurette.

Summerland - Official Trailer I HD I IFC Films
  • Trailer SUMMERLAND Trailer (2020) Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw Romance Movie
  • Trailer Summerland - Official Trailer - Rent From Home Now
  • Featurette LIVING ROOM Q&As: Summerland with director Jess Swale
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Summerland?

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 surname of the protagonist played by Gemma Arterton?

Details

Summerland Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Kraina Lata” and “En Busca De Summerland”.

Also known as
  • Kraina Lata
  • En Busca De Summerland
  • Kesämaa
  • Край вічного літа
  • 戀夏時光
  • Страна Солнца
  • 썸머랜드
  • 夏日国度
  • Земља лета
  • Onde Fica o Paraíso
  • 戀夏時光(暫譯)
  • Yaz Ülkesi
+4 more
  • סאמרלנד
  • Donde está el paraíso
  • Giorni d'estate
  • A la recerca de Summerland

Seen Summerland?

FAQ

Summerland FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Summerland?

Summerland runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Summerland released?

Summerland was released on July 31, 2020.

Who directed Summerland?

Summerland was directed by Jessica Swale.

More films by Jessica Swale

Who is in the cast of Summerland?

Summerland stars Gemma Arterton as Alice, Penelope Wilton as Older Alice and Lucas Bond as Frank, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Summerland make at the box office?

Summerland grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($58,498 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Summerland rated?

Summerland has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Does Summerland have a post-credit scene?

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

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