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Romantic drama

Undine (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Undine (2021) movie poster

Undine is a 2021 romantic drama directed by Christian Petzold, starring Paula Beer as Undine Wibeau, Jacob Matschenz and Franz Rogowski. It is inspired by Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué and Paul Turner. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Stream it on AMC+ and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
Echo Score
70
Undine (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
German
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Undine About?

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

In contemporary Berlin, a historian named Undine experiences a profound disruption when her partner leaves her. Haunted by an ancient myth, she finds herself grappling with a shadowy past and a difficult choice. To break free from a cycle of betrayal, she must risk everything in a quest for love and the possibility of redemption, confronting the consequences of a timeless curse.

Undine Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • cafe
  • aquarium
  • hospital
  • murder
  • train
  • accident
  • swimming
  • myth
  • one word title
  • written by director
  • female protagonist
  • berlin germany
+38 more
  • historian
  • love
  • broken aquarium
  • diver
  • underwater scene
  • telephone call
  • brain dead
  • swimming pool
  • murdered in a swimming pool
  • disappearance
  • male female relationship
  • kiss
  • hugging
  • scuba diving
  • scuba diver
  • couple
  • character says i love you
  • scale model of city
  • doused with water
  • wetness
  • gift
  • train platform
  • hospital bed
  • murder by drowning
  • promise kept
  • waking up from a coma
  • crutches
  • walking with crutches
  • man uses crutches
  • crying
  • flashback
  • catfish
  • 2 years later
  • new girlfriend
  • new boyfriend
  • character name as title
  • urban fantasy
  • water nymph
Where to watch

Where to Watch Undine

Stream it on AMC+ and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Undine Cast & Characters

Paula Beer leads the cast as Undine Wibeau, with Jacob Matschenz as Johannes and Franz Rogowski as Christoph. Directed by Christian Petzold; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Undine

· 6 more
Ratings

Undine Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Undine 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Undine Echo Score Breakdown

Undine presents a visually striking romance that balances mythic imagination with grounded realism. The film’s direction and cinematography create an atmospheric world, while the performances convey nuanced emotion. However, the narrative occasionally drifts, leaving plot motivations unclear and pacing uneven. The soundtrack and sound design enhance the mood, yet the story’s opacity limits its lasting impact. Consequently, the film excels in artistic craft but offers moderate rewatch value, leading to an overall balanced yet mixed reception.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    Regarding art and craft, Undine demonstrates meticulous direction and composition that evoke a haunting, water‑laden atmosphere. Critics commend Petzold’s myth‑building and the film’s expansive visual design, while users note striking Berlin shots and an “arty” aesthetic. Minor criticisms point to occasional pacing lulls, yet the overall craftsmanship remains high.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    On character and emotion, the performances deliver nuanced portrayals that anchor the film’s ethereal premise. Reviewers highlight the chemistry of the leads and the depth of the romantic dynamic, though some viewers found the character motivations under‑explained. Overall, acting contributes positively to the emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Evaluating story and flow, Undine weaves a mythic narrative that explores themes of transition and memory. While its originality and atmospheric intent are praised, critics and users note uneven pacing and ambiguous plot points that hinder coherence. The film’s ambition is evident, but narrative clarity remains inconsistent.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design subtly reinforce its watery motifs, and the visual palette blends muted tones with occasional bursts of color. Reviewers commend the haunting soundtrack and striking cinematography, though some viewers found the overall sensory impact restrained. Nonetheless, the sensory elements enhance the mood effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Assessing rewatch factor, Undine’s poetic visuals and layered myth offer some appeal for repeat viewings, yet the ambiguous storyline and subdued pacing may deter repeated engagement. Critics see modest re‑watch potential, while users express uncertainty about a second watch, resulting in moderate replay value.

Plot

Undine Plot Summary

What happens in Undine from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Undine Wibeau, portrayed by Paula Beer, is a dedicated historian who specializes in the urban development of Berlin. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is abruptly ended by Johannes, played by Jacob Matschenz, a married man she has been seeing. In a moment of desperation, she warns him that if he leaves her, she will be forced to “kill him,” invoking the legend of the undine. She requests he wait for her at a café while she presents her lecture. However, upon returning, she discovers that Johannes has vanished.

Full summary

The whole story of Undine, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Undine Box Office

Undine grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $78,689 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (93%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

US & Canada
$78.7K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 7% Rest of the world 93%
Videos

Undine Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

Official international trailer
  • Clip Clip
  • Featurette Undine Director Christian Petzold with Ian Haydn Smith
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Undine?

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 Undine Wibeau's profession?

Details

Undine Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Ondina. Un amor para siempre” and “Ундина”.

Also known as
  • Ondina. Un amor para siempre
  • Ундина
  • Ondine
  • 운디네
  • 温蒂妮
  • Undine - Aallotar
  • Undine - Un Amore per Sempre
  • 水漾的女人
  • Η Νύμφη του Νερού
  • لغو کردن
  • אונדינה
  • 水精靈之戀
+4 more
  • Undīne
  • 水を抱く女
  • Ondina
  • Hableány

Seen Undine?

FAQ

Undine FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Undine, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Undine?

Undine runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Undine released?

Undine was released on June 4, 2021.

Who directed Undine?

Undine was directed by Christian Petzold.

More films by Christian Petzold

Who is in the cast of Undine?

Undine stars Paula Beer as Undine Wibeau, Jacob Matschenz as Johannes and Franz Rogowski as Christoph, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Undine?

In the US, Undine is streaming on AMC+, Kanopy and MUBI and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Undine make at the box office?

Undine grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($78,689 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Undine rated?

Undine has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Undine have a post-credit scene?

No. Undine has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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