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Drama

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

The Outrun (2024) movie poster

The Outrun is a 2024 drama directed by Nora Fingscheidt, starring Saoirse Ronan as Rona, Stephen Dillane and Paapa Essiedu. It is partly based on The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $5.2 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best Lead Actress at the IFTA Awards 2025. Critics gave it 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
worldwide gross
$5.2M
award won
1
Echo Score
76
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The Outrun (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Nora Fingscheidt
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Outrun About?

The premise of The Outrun without spoilers, adapted from The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Seeking refuge from a difficult past in London, Rona returns to the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland, her childhood home. The drama follows her as she navigates painful memories and finds solace in the stark beauty of the natural surroundings, searching for healing and a sense of peace.

The Outrun Themes & Keywords

· 22 tags
  • addiction
  • young woman
  • troubled past
  • adapted from a memoir
  • orkney islands
  • scotland
  • female rear nudity
  • skinny dipping
  • alcohol
  • drunkness
  • religion
  • alcoholic
+10 more
  • female nudity
  • female star appears nude
  • woman skinny dipping
  • lambing
  • drinking
  • partying
  • alcoholism
  • title spoken by character
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
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Cast & crew

The Outrun Cast & Characters

Saoirse Ronan leads the cast as Rona, with Stephen Dillane as Andrew and Paapa Essiedu as Daynin. Directed by Nora Fingscheidt; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Nora Fingscheidt

More films directed by Nora Fingscheidt, best-rated first: System Crasher, The Unforgivable, System Crasher and Die Lizenz.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Outrun Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Outrun 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

76 /100

The Outrun Echo Score Breakdown

The Outrun delivers a visually arresting and emotionally resonant exploration of addiction and recovery, driven by a commanding lead performance. Its strengths lie in the evocative portrayal of natural landscapes and the raw authenticity of the central character’s journey. However, the non-linear structure and occasional lapses in directorial focus can disrupt narrative clarity. Ultimately, the film leaves a strong emotional impact despite uneven pacing and structural complexity.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    The cinematographic design stands out for its striking portrayal of the Orkney environment and a poetic approach to time and space. The film employs innovative framing and textured production design to heighten emotional stakes, while some viewers note moments of uneven editing and sporadic directorial indulgence. Overall, the visual craftsmanship impresses even as pacing occasionally falters.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character depth, The Outrun is anchored by an immersive central performance that conveys the nuances of addiction and recovery. The lead’s honest portrayal achieves profound emotional resonance and believable chemistry with supporting figures. Even critics who found elements challenging acknowledge the authenticity and vulnerability at the film’s core. In sum, character work is the film’s greatest asset.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film’s non-linear structure offers a layered view of descent and renewal but can generate disorientation. Flashbacks and temporal shifts underscore thematic resonance and maintain engagement, yet repeated narrative jumps sometimes feel predictable or confusing. While the ambition to mirror recovery’s fractured nature is clear, it produces an uneven sense of momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Regarding sensory experience, The Outrun pairs an understated soundscape with a richly rendered visual style to immerse viewers in its windswept setting. Subtle ambient audio and a restrained musical score support the stark imagery, offering moments of genuine cinematic poetry. A minority may find the aesthetic choices overly deliberate, but overall the sensory design enhances the film’s emotional terrain.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    The rewatch factor centers on the film’s atmospheric strength and central performance, which invite renewed appreciation for subtle details. High emotional stakes and immersive setting encourage a second viewing, but the narrative’s nonlinear approach and pacing inconsistencies could discourage some audiences. Consequently, the film holds moderate replay value, most suited to viewers drawn to performance and mood over plot clarity.

Plot

The Outrun Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Outrun 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative centers on Rona, portrayed by Saoirse Ronan, who returns to her childhood home in the breathtaking Orkney Islands of Scotland after completing a rigorous ninety-day alcohol treatment program. This picturesque yet remote setting serves as the backdrop for Rona’s quest to rebuild her life. With her parents living independently due to their separation, Rona finds herself navigating the contrasting worlds of her mother, who is deeply involved in religious and social activities, and her father, who is deeply rooted in the pastoral life of the farm.

Full summary

The whole story of The Outrun, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Outrun Box Office

The Outrun grossed $5.2 million worldwide. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $4.2 million (80%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.2M

US & Canada
$1M
International
$4.2M
US & Canada 20% Rest of the world 80%
Awards

The Outrun Awards & Nominations

The Outrun won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best Lead Actress at the IFTA Awards 2025. Its biggest night was the IFTA Awards 2025, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win5 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

The Outrun Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips, 4 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Official Clip
  • Clip 9 Minute Extended Preview
  • Featurette Interview with Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu
  • Featurette Saoirse Ronan on THE OUTRUN - "Wild Life"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Outrun?

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 main character's name in 'The Outrun'?

Cars

Cars in The Outrun

9 cars on screen, including the 2008 Renault Kangoo and the 2005 Škoda Octavia.

All 9 cars
  • 2008 Renault Kangoo in The Outrun 2008 Renault Kangoo Important role
  • 2005 Škoda Octavia in The Outrun 2005 Škoda Octavia Important role
  • 2008 Volkswagen Polo IV Typ 9N2 in The Outrun 2008 Volkswagen Polo IV Typ 9N2 Important role
  • John Deere 6000-Series in The Outrun John Deere 6000-Series Minor role
Details

The Outrun Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “בריחה” and “De Volta ao Mar”.

Also known as
  • בריחה
  • De Volta ao Mar
  • Pabėgimas
  • Выгон
  • 新生的逃亡
  • Втеча
  • L'écart
  • Un viaje de sobriedad
  • Çıkış Yolu
  • En islas extremas
  • Wygon
  • 아웃런
+10 more
  • The Outrun - Nelle isole estreme
  • הבריחה
  • Втеча від себе
  • Na samotě
  • 逃脱, გაქცევა
  • ดวงใจ ณ ใต้สมุทร
  • Lối Thoát
  • Бягството
  • Parlagon
  • Fuga

Seen The Outrun?

FAQ

The Outrun FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Outrun, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Outrun?

The Outrun runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was The Outrun released?

The Outrun was released on October 4, 2024.

Who directed The Outrun?

The Outrun was directed by Nora Fingscheidt.

More films by Nora Fingscheidt

Who is in the cast of The Outrun?

The Outrun stars Saoirse Ronan as Rona, Stephen Dillane as Andrew and Paapa Essiedu as Daynin, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Outrun make at the box office?

The Outrun grossed $5.2 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $4.2 million international).

How is The Outrun rated?

The Outrun has 6.9/10 on IMDb and 72 on Metacritic.

Is The Outrun based on a book?

Yes. The Outrun is partly adapted from The Outrun by Amy Liptrot.

What awards did The Outrun win?

The Outrun won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Best Lead Actress at the IFTA Awards 2025.

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