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Romantic drama

Una (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Una (2017) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$508.2K
Echo Score
60
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Una (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Benedict Andrews
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Una

· 6 more
Ratings

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).

60 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$508.2K

US & Canada
$22.8K
International
$485.4K
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

Una Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer (Australia)
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  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

What is the name of the man who used to be Ray Brooks before he changed his identity?

Cars

Cars in Una

1 car on screen: the 2000 Volkswagen Golf IV Typ 1J.

  • 2000 Volkswagen Golf IV Typ 1J in Una 2000 Volkswagen Golf IV Typ 1J
Details

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?

FAQ

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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