Una (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Una is a 2017 romantic drama directed by Benedict Andrews, starring Rooney Mara as Una, Ben Mendelsohn and Riz Ahmed. It is based on Blackbird by David Harrower. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $508,169 worldwide. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Benedict Andrews
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Eammon Films
- Based on
- Blackbird by David Harrower
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Una About?
The premise of Una without spoilers, adapted from Blackbird by David Harrower. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After fifteen years, Una unexpectedly returns, disrupting the quiet life of Ray, the man she left behind. Their reunion forces them to confront a painful history and the unresolved feelings that linger. As old wounds reopen, they must delve into the secrets and memories they’re both desperately trying to bury, seeking understanding and a chance at redemption.
Una Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychological drama
- psychological
- pedophile
- child sexual abuse
- sexual grooming
- female topless nudity
- female nudity
- pedophilia
- sex scene
- based on play
- childhood trauma
- teenage girl sexual awakening
+38 more Show fewer
- teenage female sexuality
- teenage sexuality
- teenage girl
- nipple piercing
- nipple pierced
- shower
- reunion
- courtroom
- female sexuality
- confronting abuser
- sexual abuse
- female star appears topless
- 13 year old girl
- confronting one's victimizer
- younger version of character
- teenage girl with long hair
- cleavage
- flash forward
- sex standing up
- sex in a bathroom
- sex from behind
- mother daughter relationship
- scene before opening credits
- childhood photo
- scratched out face in a photograph
- criminal trial
- traumatic event
- told in flashback
- warehouse
- pretending to be father and daughter
- dual timeline
- girl has sex with father's friend
- man has sex with a teenage girl
- shower scene
- adult man has sex with underage girl
- underwater scene
- underage girl has sex with adult man
- teenage girl wears a swimsuit
Una Cast & Characters
Rooney Mara leads the cast as Una, with Ben Mendelsohn as Ray and Riz Ahmed as Scott. Directed by Benedict Andrews; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Benedict Andrews
-
Rooney Mara as Una -
Ben Mendelsohn as Ray -
Riz Ahmed as Scott -
Tara Fitzgerald as Andrea
Also Starring in Una
· 6 more- Ruby Stokes Young Una
- Richard Cunningham Prosecutor
- David Shields
- Maciej Krupianik Foreman
- Madeleine Brolly Courtroom Clerk
- Gary Finnerty
Una Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Una 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Una Echo Score Breakdown
Although Una features compelling performances and a bold thematic focus, its uneven narrative pacing and stylistic excesses create a somewhat draining viewing experience. Commentators note the film’s gut-punch exploration of a taboo subject, yet also point to moments of emotional detachment and heavy-handed direction. The lead actors’ raw portrayals drive much of the film’s impact, but thematic ambiguities and sporadic subplots limit coherence. Ultimately, Una stands as an earnest but uneven drama that resonates most in its key performances.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of Art & Craft, the film offers striking compositions but uneven pacing and extended staging reveal inconsistent editing and directorial choices. Observers praise the confident framing and moments of visual tension, yet note that protracted shots and stylistic gestures sometimes detract from narrative momentum. The cinematography and production design show ambition, but the overall craft lacks consistent cohesion.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to Character & Emotion, the lead performances give the film its clearest emotional impact. Critics highlight the nuanced portrayals and complex motivations of both central figures, noting their urgent and compelling presence. Though some find the emotional distance heightened by restrained direction, the acting and character depth remain the film’s strongest asset.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of Story & Flow, Una presents a challenging narrative that fluctuates between urgency and inertia. Reviewers point to its gut-punch thematic material but criticize talky sequences and unresolved subplots that hinder engagement. The pacing often stalls amid long stretches of silence or redundant scenes, resulting in a plot that feels uneven and occasionally disjointed.
- Sensory Experience 55
When it comes to Sensory Experience, Una combines stark visual compositions with a deliberate sound design that amplifies emotional tension. Some find the extended silences and muted audio create an immersive atmosphere, while others argue the austere soundtrack and protracted imagery disrupt narrative flow. The visual style demonstrates ambition, yet coherence between sight and sound remains inconsistent.
- Rewatch Factor 55
When it comes to Rewatch Factor, Una’s intense subject matter and uneven pacing may deter multiple viewings. Observers acknowledge that the film’s raw emotional beats and the ambiguity of its central relationship linger in memory, yet the protracted staging and talky segments can undercut the desire to revisit. The lasting appeal rests primarily on its performances.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 76% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 50%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 4.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
10 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Una Plot Summary
What happens in Una 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
Una Spencer, a young woman, goes to the office of Peter Trevelyan, a manager at a large warehouse, to his shock.
Flashbacks reveal that Peter Trevelyan was once Ray Brooks, the next-door neighbor and trusted friend of Una’s father. Ray groomed the 13-year-old Una into a three-month relationship. The two plotted to elope to Europe, but the night before they were set to board a ferry, Ray took her virginity in a coast hotel room. He leaves the room afterwards; Una, believing he abandoned her, wanders the streets distraught and bewildered, to be returned home by police after she shares what had happened to her.
Full summary
The whole story of Una, scene by scene
Una Box Office
Una grossed $508,169 worldwide. $22,815 came from the US and Canada and $485,354 (96%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$508.2K
- US & Canada
- $22.8K
- International
- $485.4K
Una Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Una?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- 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
What is the name of the man who used to be Ray Brooks before he changed his identity?
Cars in Una
1 car on screen: the 2000 Volkswagen Golf IV Typ 1J.
-
2000 Volkswagen Golf IV Typ 1J
Una Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Blackbird” and “Karatavuk”.
- Also known as
-
- Blackbird
- Karatavuk
- Una und Ray
- Уна
- 乌娜
- אונה
- 블랙버드
- Una - Negra Sedução
- Το Παρελθόν της Ούνα
- 再一次禁戀
- Una (Blackbird)
- 最愛你的人是我
Seen Una?
Movies Like Una
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Una, Unforgettable and Volver.
Una FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Una, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Una?
Una runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Una released?
Una was released on October 6, 2017.
Who directed Una?
Una was directed by Benedict Andrews.
More films by Benedict Andrews Who is in the cast of Una?
Una stars Rooney Mara as Una, Ben Mendelsohn as Ray and Riz Ahmed as Scott, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Una make at the box office?
Una grossed $508,169 worldwide ($22,815 domestic, $485,354 international).
How is Una rated?
Una has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
Is Una based on a book?
Yes. Una is adapted from Blackbird by David Harrower.
Does Una have a post-credit scene?
No. Una has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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