Undine (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Christian Petzold
- Original language
-
German
- Studio
- IFC Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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 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.
Stream 7
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.
-
Director Christian Petzold
-
Paula Beer as Undine Wibeau - Jacob Matschenz as Johannes
-
Franz Rogowski as Christoph - Julia Franz Richter as Nora
Also Starring in Undine
· 6 more- Maryam Zaree Monika
- Anne Ratte-Polle Anna
- Rafael Stachowiak Jochen
- Gloria Endres de Oliveira Antonia
- Enno Trebs Kellner
- José Barros Miguel
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 89% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
287 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$1.2M
- US & Canada
- $78.7K
- International
- $1.1M
Undine Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Clip Clip
- Featurette Undine Director Christian Petzold with Ian Haydn Smith
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
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
What is Undine Wibeau's profession?
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 Show fewer
- Undīne
- 水を抱く女
- Ondina
- Hableány
Seen Undine?
Movies Like Undine
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Undine, Ondine and Berlin, I Love You.
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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