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Drama thriller

The King Tide (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The King Tide (2024) movie poster

The King Tide is a 2024 drama thriller directed by Christian Sparkes, starring Alix West Lefler as Isla, Clayne Crawford and Lara Jean Chorostecki. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $16,826 worldwide. It holds 69% on TMDB.

worldwide gross
$16.8K
Echo Score
84
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The King Tide (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The King Tide About?

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

A coastal town's peaceful existence is shattered when a young, gifted individual is found washed ashore. The arrival triggers a divisive debate about their potential to predict the future. As the community grapples with the implications, long-held tensions rise, leading to mistrust and fear that threaten the town's stability and the residents' ability to survive.

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Cast & crew

The King Tide Cast & Characters

Alix West Lefler leads the cast as Isla, with Clayne Crawford as Bobby and Lara Jean Chorostecki as Grace. Directed by Christian Sparkes; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Christian Sparkes

More films directed by Christian Sparkes, best-rated first: Hammer, Night for Night, Hammer and Cast No Shadow.

Full filmography
Ratings

The King Tide Reviews & Ratings

The King Tide holds 69% on TMDB. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

84 /100

The King Tide Echo Score Breakdown

The King Tide delivers a compelling atmospheric experience anchored by striking visuals and meticulous production design. Critics repeatedly note the spare‑yet‑lush cinematography and textured aesthetic, while users echo the stunning scenery and eerie ambience. Strong performances and a thoughtful moral core further bolster the film, though several reviewers cite a deliberately slow build that may test patience. In sum, the film excels in craft and mood, offering a memorable yet occasionally uneven viewing.

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 showcases a disciplined visual language marked by a rustic‑meets‑old‑time aesthetic. Critics highlight the textured production design, serene cinematography, and careful composition that convey both isolation and lyrical beauty. User commentary similarly praises the striking landscapes and atmospheric cinematography, despite occasional remarks about a sluggish edit. Overall, the visual execution stands out as a principal strength of the work.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble cast receives consistent praise for nuanced and resonant performances. Critics note that each actor aligns with the film’s rugged setting, delivering potent portrayals that deepen the moral narrative. Viewers echo this sentiment, highlighting the young lead’s superb work and the overall chemistry among the cast. The acting thus emerges as a decisive asset enhancing the film’s emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is lauded for its originality and moral complexity, delivering an unsettling climax that many reviewers find memorable. Critics commend the thoughtful thematic layers and the film’s ability to sustain tension beneath a measured pace. Some user feedback, however, points to a slow build and an ambiguous conclusion that may diminish engagement for certain viewers. Consequently, the story balances strong conceptual ambition with uneven pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    In the sensory domain, the film’s soundscape and visual stylization reinforce its isolated, foreboding atmosphere. Critics emphasize the spare yet lush audio‑visual composition that intertwines with the bleak landscape, while users remark on the eerie ambience and striking scenery. The soundtrack, though less frequently noted, complements the tension without overwhelming the narrative. Overall, the sensory elements cohere to heighten immersion and thematic resonance.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    Rewatch factor is supported by the film’s layered themes, which invite repeated viewings to uncover subtleties. Critics label it a quiet gem and one of the year’s best genre entries, suggesting lasting appeal. Some audience members note the deliberate pacing may reduce immediate replay desire, yet many highlight its thought‑provoking ending and compelling visual palette as reasons to return. The film thus offers moderate to strong rewatch incentive.

Plot

The King Tide Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The King Tide from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 7-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Infant Isla turns up one day in a shipwrecked boat, and is adopted and raised by the town’s mayor Bobby Bentham (Clayne Crawford) and his wife Grace (Lara Jean Chorostecki), whose pregnancy ended in miscarriage shortly before Isla’s discovery. However, it is soon discovered that Isla has healing powers to cure any ailment suffered by those who are near her, including Grace’s mother Faye’s dementia; swarms of fish also swim to her when she’s in the water, thus protecting the town’s food security because it guarantees that the local fishermen will always be able to catch fish they had long lost to larger commercial fishing boats from the mainland.

Full summary

The whole story of The King Tide, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The King Tide Box Office

The King Tide grossed $16,826 worldwide.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.8K

International
$16.8K
Videos

The King Tide Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Interview with Frances Fisher and Christian Sparkes
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The King Tide?

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

Who is the first person to discover Isla in the shipwrecked boat?

Details

The King Tide Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “La grande marée” and “شَه موج”.

Also known as
  • La grande marée
  • شَه موج
  • شَه کِشَند
  • 더 킹 타이드
  • Королевский прилив
  • Królewski przypływ
  • 王者潮流
  • La Niña Del Mar
  • A Menina do Mar
  • אי בני האלמוות
  • Con la marea

Seen The King Tide?

FAQ

The King Tide FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The King Tide?

The King Tide runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The King Tide released?

The King Tide was released on August 16, 2024.

Who directed The King Tide?

The King Tide was directed by Christian Sparkes.

More films by Christian Sparkes

Who is in the cast of The King Tide?

The King Tide stars Alix West Lefler as Isla, Clayne Crawford as Bobby and Lara Jean Chorostecki as Grace, among 15 credited actors.

How much did The King Tide make at the box office?

The King Tide grossed $16,826 worldwide.

How is The King Tide rated?

The King Tide has 69% on TMDB.

Does The King Tide have a post-credit scene?

No. The King Tide has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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