The Bubble (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending
The Bubble is a 2022 comedy directed by Judd Apatow, starring Karen Gillan as Carol Cobb, Leslie Mann and Rob Delaney. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Studio or Independent – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2023. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 4m (124 min)
- Director
- Judd Apatow
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is The Bubble About?
The premise of The Bubble without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A group of actors are stuck in a quarantine hotel, trying to complete a sequel to the beloved, cheesy film "Flying Dinosaurs." Faced with the pressures of production and the frustrations of isolation, the ensemble cast contends with clashing personalities and unexpected circumstances. The film offers a comedic look at the movie industry and the eccentricities of those who work within it, all while struggling to create a worthy follow-up to a cult classic.
The Bubble Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- group
- hotel
- joke
- fun
- showbiz comedy
- studio
- green screen
- covid 19
- dragon
- night
- woods
- puffer jacket
+38 more Show fewer
- hoodie
- pandemic
- dinosaur
- camera
- work
- mountain
- climbing
- darkness
- forest
- dancing
- tracksuit
- laptop computer
- 2020s
- year 2020
- no opening credits
- blockbuster spoof
- ensemble cast
- headphones
- ensemble comedy
- two word title
- cast
- filmmaker
- actor
- actress
- reference to robert pattinson
- reference to mel gibson
- reference to michael keaton
- reference to batman
- reference to val kilmer
- reference to george clooney
- reference to ben affleck
- reference to christian bale
- reference to mark ruffalo
- reference to benedict cumberbatch
- reference to jon favreau
- reference to gal gadot
- reference to patty jenkins
- reference to j.j. abrams
The Bubble Cast & Characters
Karen Gillan leads the cast as Carol Cobb, with Leslie Mann as Lauren Van Chance and Rob Delaney as Carol's Agent, Marti. Directed by Judd Apatow; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Judd Apatow
-
Karen Gillan as Carol Cobb -
Leslie Mann as Lauren Van Chance -
Rob Delaney as Carol's Agent, Marti -
Peter Serafinowicz as Gavin
Also Starring in The Bubble
· 6 more- David Duchovny Dustin Mulray
- Keegan-Michael Key Sean Knox
- Pedro Pascal Dieter Bravo
- Iris Apatow Krystal Kris
- Fred Armisen Darren Eigen
- Maria Bakalova Anika
The Bubble Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Bubble 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in art & craft (35).
The Bubble Echo Score Breakdown
The Bubble delivers a largely uneven viewing experience, with few moments of genuine amusement amid pervasive structural and tonal flaws. Critics and viewers alike note an overlong runtime, uneven pacing, and a reliance on self‑referential jokes that rarely land. While the ensemble cast shows occasional chemistry, the film’s lack of narrative focus and flat aesthetic undermine its impact. Consequently, the overall impression remains more disappointing than entertaining.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
In terms of art and craft, the film struggles with a flat visual aesthetic and uneven editing. Reviews cite a lack of compelling cinematography and production design, describing the visual style as dull and the pacing as inert. Although a few scenes with green‑screen effects provide brief novelty, they do not compensate for the overall lack of craftsmanship. The technical execution therefore appears subpar.
- Character & Emotion 45
When evaluating character and emotion, the cast demonstrates occasional chemistry but overall lacks depth. Critics acknowledge occasional lively interactions among the ensemble, yet most find the performances shallow and the emotional core weak. Viewers describe the characters as self‑absorbed and charmless, limiting audience connection. The mixed responses suggest that while the actors are capable, the material does not allow sustained character development.
- Story & Flow 40
The story and flow suffer from a sprawling, under‑developed plot and inconsistent pacing. Reviewers repeatedly mention a runtime that feels endless and a narrative that fails to maintain coherence. Some praise the film’s meta commentary, but the majority view the plot as mediocre and the humor uneven. These narrative shortcomings diminish engagement, resulting in a story that feels more fragmented than compelling.
- Sensory Experience 40
Sensory experience in the film is marked by a lackluster soundtrack and incongruous visual attempts. Critics describe the aesthetic as flat, with dance numbers and other set pieces feeling forced rather than immersive. While occasional scenes provide modest visual interest, the overall sound design and musical choices fail to enhance the comedic tone. Consequently, the sensory elements leave a muted impression.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Rewatch factor appears limited, with many reviewers finding the film forgettable and overly long. Some audience members note occasional laugh‑worthy moments that could warrant a casual second viewing, yet the overall consensus points to low replay value. The novelty of the premise wears off quickly, and the uneven humor reduces lasting appeal. Thus, the film offers minimal incentive for repeat viewings.
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IMDb 4.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 20% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 30%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 34 Metascore
User score 3.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 46% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 1.8 /5
11 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Bubble Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Bubble 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
Following a tumultuous film role that nearly derailed her career, actress Carol Cobb finds herself at a crossroads. She must face the daunting task of reviving her reputation by reluctantly stepping back into the shoes of the illustrious Dr. Lacey Nightingale for the latest installment of the beloved Cliff Beasts series, specifically Cliff Beasts 6: Battle for Everest: Memories of a Requiem. Despite her initial reluctance, this opportunity is crucial, as Carol had previously declined to participate in Cliff Beasts 5 to pursue a different project—one that turned out to be critically panned, where she portrayed a half Israeli, half Palestinian character battling extraterrestrial foes.
Full summary
The whole story of The Bubble, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Bubble Awards & Nominations
The Bubble earned 1 award nomination, including Studio or Independent – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2023.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Artios Awards 2023 1 nomination- Nominated Studio or Independent – Comedy
The Bubble Trailers & Videos
12 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 2 clips, 7 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Teaser Official Cliff Beasts 6: The Battle For Everest Teaser
- Clip Iris Apatow TikTok Dance with a Dinosaur
- Clip Karen Gillan Loses Her Mind in Quarantine
- Featurette The Entire Cliff Beasts Timeline Explained
How Well Do You Know The Bubble?
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
What character does Carol Cobb reprise in 'Cliff Beasts 6'?
Cars in The Bubble
15 cars on screen, including the Club Car Precedent and the Land-Rover Discovery Series IV.
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Club Car Precedent Minor role -
Land-Rover Discovery Series IV Minor role -
2014 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV Minor role -
Mercedes-Benz Atego 1325 F Minor role
The Bubble Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Бульбашка” and “Cliff Beasts 6: Battle for Everest - Memories of a Requiem”.
- Also known as
-
- Бульбашка
- Cliff Beasts 6: Battle for Everest - Memories of a Requiem
- الفقاعة
- Пузырь
- 泡泡剧组
- 더 버블
- Bańka
- La Bulle
- A Bolha
- Nella bolla
- У бульбашці
- A buborék
+9 more Show fewer
- Trường Quay Bong Bóng
- La burbuja
- V bublině
- הקפסולה
- 泡泡劇組
- U balonu
- ザ・バブル
- Bula
- حباب
Seen The Bubble?
Movies Like The Bubble
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bubble Trouble, Bubble Boy and The Bubble.
The Bubble FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Bubble, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Bubble?
The Bubble runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was The Bubble released?
The Bubble was released on April 1, 2022.
Who directed The Bubble?
The Bubble was directed by Judd Apatow.
More films by Judd Apatow Who is in the cast of The Bubble?
The Bubble stars Karen Gillan as Carol Cobb, Leslie Mann as Lauren Van Chance and Rob Delaney as Carol's Agent, Marti, among 10 credited actors.
How is The Bubble rated?
The Bubble has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic and 46% on TMDB.
Was The Bubble nominated for any awards?
The Bubble received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The Bubble have a post-credit scene?
Yes. The Bubble has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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