Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Unplanned (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Unplanned (2019) movie poster

Unplanned is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman, starring Ashley Bratcher as Abby, Brooks Ryan and Jared Lotz. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $21.6 million worldwide on a $6 million budget. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 10 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$21.6M
Echo Score
37
Loading streaming availability…
Unplanned (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Unplanned About?

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

As the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic director, Abby Johnson was a staunch supporter of reproductive choice. Her dedication led her to become a vocal advocate for the organization. However, a profound personal experience challenges her beliefs and leads her to question everything she thought she knew about the abortion debate, ultimately changing her perspective and setting her on a new path.

Unplanned Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • planned parenthood
  • based on true story
  • abortion
  • personal story
  • redemption
  • transformation
  • anti abortion
  • pro life
  • mexican food
  • christian
  • one word title
  • christian propaganda
+38 more
  • faith
  • corporate greed
  • non profit organization
  • abortion clinic
  • long hair
  • anti abortion activist
  • halloween
  • halloween costume
  • halloween night
  • billboard
  • red rose
  • white rose
  • lawyer
  • court
  • reference to gone with the wind
  • reference to texas a&m
  • voice over narration
  • tv interview
  • texas
  • lawsuit
  • self narration
  • female boss
  • unplanned pregnancy
  • pureflix
  • 2019
  • employer employee relationship
  • religious film
  • 2010s
  • first person narration
  • hurricane ike
  • mother daughter relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • based on autobiography
  • protester
  • christian film
  • independent film
  • activist
  • moralizing
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Unplanned Cast & Characters

Ashley Bratcher leads the cast as Abby, with Brooks Ryan as Doug and Jared Lotz as Shawn. Directed by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman

One more film directed by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman: Nefarious.

Ratings

Unplanned Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Unplanned 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 10 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 37/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in story & flow (25).

37 /100

Unplanned Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Unplanned struggles to balance its persuasive agenda with cinematic coherence, resulting in an uneven viewing experience. Critics and audiences alike note that the film’s narrative is driven more by ideological messaging than by compelling characterization or imaginative storytelling. Production values are serviceable but unremarkable, and the emotional stakes feel contrived. As a result, Unplanned leaves limited room for broader appeal or lasting engagement, with its propagandistic thrust outweighing its modest cinematic strengths.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, Unplanned displays competent production design and clear editing but rarely goes beyond functional execution. The cinematography maintains straightforward coverage without notable visual flair, and the color palette feels subdued. While technical aspects meet basic industry standards, they lack distinctive style or innovation. The overall aesthetic remains serviceable but unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers minimal depth, portraying its protagonists primarily as vessels for ideological arguments. Dialogue often serves the film’s agenda more than personal motivation, leading to performances that feel scripted rather than organically developed. Emotional resonance is limited by one-dimensional portrayals. Consequently, characters seldom evoke genuine empathy or complexity.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of story and flow, Unplanned prioritizes persuasive rhetoric over narrative coherence, resulting in a plot that feels episodic and agenda-driven. Pacing alternates between laborious exposition and hasty transitions, while original storytelling elements are scarce. Engagement suffers as viewers encounter repeated talking points instead of dramatic build–up. The film’s flow is undermined by its heavy-handed structure.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When considering the sensory experience, the soundtrack offers unobtrusive scoring that supports the film’s mood but avoids memorable themes. Sound design is clear though occasionally flat, with dialogue levels prioritized over ambient detail. The visual style remains consistent yet conventional, lacking bold visual motifs or dynamic composition. Overall, sensory elements function adequately but rarely engage the viewer on a deeper level.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Regarding rewatch value, Unplanned’s appeal relies heavily on its ideological alignment rather than narrative or aesthetic richness. With limited character complexity and repetitive message-driven scenes, the film offers little incentive for repeated viewings. Occasional moments of earnest conviction may resonate with a niche audience, but broader rewatch appeal is constrained by its overt propaganda focus and scarce dramatic nuance.

Plot

Unplanned Plot Summary

What happens in Unplanned 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

As the film unfolds, it draws inspiration from Unplanned, the memoir of Abby Johnson, taking the audience on an emotional journey through her life. The narrative begins with warm scenes of domesticity featuring Abby, portrayed by Ashley Bratcher, alongside her supportive husband Brooks Ryan and their young daughter, Grace. Through poignant voice-over narration, Abby shares the experiences that eventually led her to work at Planned Parenthood, elaborating on her family life and the decisive moment when she was persuaded to join the organization.

Full summary

The whole story of Unplanned, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Unplanned Box Office & Budget

Unplanned grossed $21.6 million worldwide on a $6 million budget, 3.6 times what it cost. $19 million came from the US and Canada and $2.6 million (12%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.6M

3.6× its budget

US & Canada
$19M
International
$2.6M
Budget
$6M
US & Canada 88% Rest of the world 12%
Videos

Unplanned Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Unplanned Official Trailer - In Theaters March 29
  • Trailer Official Unplanned Trailer
  • Trailer Official Unplanned DVD Trailer
  • Teaser 30 Min Sneak Peek Preview
  • Behind the Scenes Unplanned: Sneak Peek
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Unplanned?

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 the main inspiration for the film 'Unplanned'?

Details

Unplanned Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Redeemed” and “Inesperado”.

Also known as
  • Redeemed
  • Inesperado
  • Unplanned : Non planifié
  • Незапланированная
  • 计划外
  • 언플랜드
  • 墮胎計畫
  • Непланирани
  • Neplanirano
  • 40 Dias - O Milagre da Vida
  • Váratlan élet / Be nem tervezett
  • Nieplanowane
+2 more
  • לא מתוכנן
  • Unplanned - La storia vera di Abby Johnson

Seen Unplanned?

FAQ

Unplanned FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Unplanned?

Unplanned runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Unplanned released?

Unplanned was released on March 29, 2019.

Who directed Unplanned?

Unplanned was directed by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman.

More films by Cary Solomon

Who is in the cast of Unplanned?

Unplanned stars Ashley Bratcher as Abby, Brooks Ryan as Doug and Jared Lotz as Shawn, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Unplanned make at the box office?

Unplanned grossed $21.6 million worldwide ($19 million domestic, $2.6 million international) on a budget of $6 million.

How is Unplanned rated?

Unplanned has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 10 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Unplanned have a post-credit scene?

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

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app