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Drama thriller

The Unthinkable (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Unthinkable (2018) movie poster

The Unthinkable is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Victor Danell, starring Christoffer Nordenrot as Alex, Lisa Henni and Ulrika Bäckström. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $7,364 worldwide on a $18.5 million budget. Its Echo Score is 63/100.

worldwide gross
$7.4K
Echo Score
63
budget
$18.5M
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The Unthinkable (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Victor Danell
Genres
Thriller , Drama , Sci-Fi , Action
Original language
Swedish
Budget
$18.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Unthinkable About?

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

We never thought it would happen to us. Sweden faces a mysterious attack while Alex tries to reunite with his youth love, Anna.

The Unthinkable Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • title based on song
  • fictional war
  • criminality in sweden
  • sweden
  • small plane
  • playing piano
  • piano playing
  • christmas
  • christmas present
  • guitar
  • boy
  • piano
+38 more
  • helicopter
  • helicopter crash
  • helicopter accident
  • rain
  • airplane crash
  • plane crashing into a building
  • power plant
  • visual effects
  • car crash
  • police car crash
  • memory lapse
  • scandinavia
  • eastern scandinavia
  • disaster film
  • disaster action
  • conspiracy thriller
  • husband wife relationship
  • terrorist strike
  • ex lovers
  • loss of mother
  • telephone call
  • cigarette smoking
  • funeral
  • shot to death
  • shootout
  • shot in the stomach
  • shot in the shoulder
  • radio transmission
  • tv news
  • threatened with a gun
  • soldier
  • booby trap
  • conspiracy theorist
  • hit on the head with a shovel
  • burial
  • bomb
  • government minister
  • blown up bridge
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Cast & crew

The Unthinkable Cast & Characters

Christoffer Nordenrot leads the cast as Alex, with Lisa Henni as Anna and Ulrika Bäckström as Klara. Directed by Victor Danell; 25 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Unthinkable

· 21 more
Show all 25 cast members
From the director

More from Victor Danell

More films directed by Victor Danell, best-rated first: Watch the Skies, The Unthinkable, Like and Singel.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Unthinkable Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

63 /100

The Unthinkable Echo Score Breakdown

The Unthinkable delivers impressive visual craftsmanship, with striking cinematography and ambitious production values that exceed its modest budget. However, the narrative suffers from uneven pacing and a fragmented script, while the central characters lack depth and sympathetic resonance. Sensory elements such as the ambient score and effective CGI bolster the atmosphere, yet the slow‑burn structure and inconsistent character work limit repeat viewing appeal. Consequently, the film sits at a modest middle ground overall.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels through its striking cinematography and resourceful production design, especially given its low budget. Reviewers highlight the atmospheric lighting, detailed set pieces, and impressive CGI that rival higher‑budget productions. The direction maintains a cohesive visual tone despite narrative constraints. Overall, the technical execution is a standout strength of the movie.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film falls short due to underdeveloped protagonists and limited emotional connection. Critics note a lack of sympathetic figures and flat performances, particularly among the leads. The central character’s motivations appear inconsistent, reducing audience investment. While the ensemble occasionally shows humanity, the overall character work hinders the film’s emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Story and flow present a mixed picture, with an original premise that intrigues but is hampered by sluggish pacing and disjointed structuring. Early segments are described as overly slow, while the latter half gains momentum and offers a compelling conclusion. Plot holes and an implausible premise detract from coherence, resulting in a narrative that swings between engaging and uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    The sensory experience stands out, featuring a resonant ambient score and effective sound design that enhance tension. Visual style is consistently atmospheric, with a moody palette and polished CGI that belie the film’s budget. Though the soundtrack’s melodies are not memorable, its integration supports the mood. Overall, the audio‑visual elements significantly elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s strong visual and atmospheric qualities invite a second look, yet its protracted pacing and uneven script reduce repeat appeal. Some viewers appreciate the ending’s impact and would revisit the climax, but many suggest trimming the lengthy opening and closing sections for better pacing. Consequently, the movie offers limited but not negligible replay value.

Plot

The Unthinkable Plot Summary

What happens in The Unthinkable from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Alex [Christoffer Nordenrot] lives in a small village in 2005 with his mother Klara [Ulrika Bäckström] and his cold, distant father Björn [Jesper Barkselius]. The strain in his home is heavy, and when Klara finally leaves, Alex’s closest friend Anna [Lisa Henni] moves away to Stockholm, and Alex ends up moving in with his uncle. The family fracture sets a long shadow over his childhood, but it also plants a memory of music and friendship that will pull him back years later.

Full summary

The whole story of The Unthinkable, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Unthinkable Box Office & Budget

The Unthinkable grossed $7,364 worldwide on a $18.5 million budget. $974 came from the US and Canada and $6,390 (87%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.4K

US & Canada
$974
International
$6.4K
Budget
$18.5M
US & Canada 13% Rest of the world 87%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Unthinkable?

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 plays the main character Alex?

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FAQ

The Unthinkable FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Unthinkable?

The Unthinkable runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was The Unthinkable released?

The Unthinkable was released on June 18, 2018.

Who directed The Unthinkable?

The Unthinkable was directed by Victor Danell.

More films by Victor Danell

Who is in the cast of The Unthinkable?

The Unthinkable stars Christoffer Nordenrot as Alex, Lisa Henni as Anna and Ulrika Bäckström as Klara, among 25 credited actors.

How much did The Unthinkable make at the box office?

The Unthinkable grossed $7,364 worldwide ($974 domestic, $6,390 international) on a budget of $18.5 million.

Does The Unthinkable have a post-credit scene?

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

What language is The Unthinkable in?

The original language of The Unthinkable is Swedish.

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