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Drama thriller

Wasp Network (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Wasp Network (2020) movie poster

Wasp Network is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Olivier Assayas, starring Penélope Cruz as Olga Salanueva, Osdeymi Pastrana and Gael García Bernal. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide on a $10.5 million budget. Critics gave it 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
40%
worldwide gross
$1.6M
Echo Score
60
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Wasp Network (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 7m (127 min)
Director
Olivier Assayas
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$10.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Wasp Network About?

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

In 1990s Florida, René González, a former Cuban pilot who defected, begins a new life. He becomes involved with the Wasp Network, a secret organization of exiles working to protect Cuba by infiltrating and gathering intelligence on anti-Castro groups operating within the United States. As he delves deeper into this world of espionage, he faces complex moral dilemmas and risks exposure while navigating a dangerous web of deception.

Wasp Network Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • spy
  • cuba
  • 1990s
  • based on true story
  • written by director
  • communism
  • cigar smoking
  • female topless nudity
  • bare chested male
  • latin american history
  • havana cuba
  • year 1990
+38 more
  • airplane
  • airplane pilot
  • parachuting
  • escape
  • miami florida
  • reference to star wars
  • reference to luke skywalker
  • sea
  • raft
  • beach
  • guantanamo bay
  • boat
  • bus
  • honduras
  • drugs
  • informant
  • wedding
  • kiss
  • view through binoculars
  • surveillance
  • floppy disk
  • flashback
  • cuban spy
  • cell phone
  • reference to kevin costner
  • taxi
  • hotel
  • bomb
  • explosion
  • bomb explosion
  • hotel explosion
  • restaurant
  • baby
  • what happened to epilogue
  • actress shares first name with character
  • female nudity
  • breasts
  • nudity
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Cast & crew

Wasp Network Cast & Characters

Penélope Cruz leads the cast as Olga Salanueva, with Osdeymi Pastrana as Irma Gonzalez and Gael García Bernal as Gerardo Hernandez. Directed by Olivier Assayas; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Wasp Network

· 12 more
From the director

More from Olivier Assayas

More films directed by Olivier Assayas, best-rated first: Carlos, Summer Hours, Clouds of Sils Maria and Irma Vep.

Full filmography
Ratings

Wasp Network Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Wasp Network 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

60 /100

Wasp Network Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Wasp Network exhibits uneven strengths across its presentation and storytelling. The film’s visual style and technical craftsmanship earn consistent praise for their vibrant cinematography and refined direction. However, its narrative pacing and character emotional depth draw criticism for insufficient tension and shallow development. Sentiment on its engagement remains mixed throughout both critical and user feedback. The result is a divisive espionage drama that offers visual appeal but falls short of delivering a fully compelling or enduring experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction and visual composition are widely admired for their warm color palette and elegant framing. The production design and editing maintain a polished look, supporting the espionage narrative with clear, efficient sequences. Some criticize a loss of directorial voice amid the film’s density. Overall, the technical execution presents a consistently engaging aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, performances earn occasional praise for moments of nuanced interplay, reflecting Olivier Assayas’s rapport with his cast. Yet many observers note limited character depth and inconsistent emotional resonance, with ensemble roles feeling underexplored. The chemistry among leads shines in isolated scenes but fails to sustain intensity. Ultimately, the character work remains uneven, undermining audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Considering Story & Flow, the narrative’s true-event foundation offers intermittent intrigue with its historical drama. Reviewers cite shifting timelines and dense exposition as barriers to sustained engagement, leading to a measured pacing that often dissipates tension. While moments of political complexity surface, the plot’s coherence suffers from overambition. In net, the story delivers moderate interest but lacks compelling momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In the realm of Sensory Experience, Wasp Network captivates through its lush cinematography and thoughtful color design that evoke a sun-drenched atmosphere. The visual cohesion and shot composition consistently impress, though sound design and score receive little attention. The auditory elements complement the visuals without overwhelming them, creating an elegant but reserved sensory landscape. Overall, the film’s sensory appeal is notably striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    Regarding Rewatch Factor, the film’s complex historical context may invite a second viewing for deeper understanding of its political intricacies. However, critiques of muted emotional stakes and uneven tension reduce incentives for repeated engagement. While aesthetic highlights could reward attentive viewers, the uneven pacing and underdeveloped character arcs limit lasting appeal. As a result, the film’s rewatch value remains modest.

Plot

Wasp Network Plot Summary

What happens in Wasp Network from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Havana during the early 1990s, René González makes a significant decision to leave behind his wife, Olga Salanueva, and their daughter, Irma Gonzalez, in Cuba as he embarks on a new chapter in the United States. He undertakes this perilous journey by clandestinely flying to Miami in a stolen Antonov An-2. Upon arrival, González quickly becomes involved with a group of Cuban exiles known as Brothers to the Rescue, who oppose Castro’s government from their base in Florida. This organization not only seeks to disrupt the Cuban regime through military maneuvers but also aims to undermine the Cuban tourism industry, dropping provocative flyers over Cuban airspace.

Full summary

The whole story of Wasp Network, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Wasp Network Box Office & Budget

Wasp Network grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a $10.5 million budget, 15% of what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.6M

15% of its budget back

International
$1.6M
Budget
$10.5M
Videos

Wasp Network Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Wasp Network.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Wasp Network?

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

Where did René González defect to?

Cars

Cars in Wasp Network

47 cars on screen, including the 1975 Lada 1300 21011 and the 1987 Nissan Sunny.

All 47 cars
  • 1975 Lada 1300 21011 in Wasp Network 1975 Lada 1300 21011 Important role
  • 1987 Nissan Sunny in Wasp Network 1987 Nissan Sunny Important role
  • 1986 Cadillac Seville in Wasp Network 1986 Cadillac Seville Minor role
  • 1984 Chevrolet CUCV M-1008 in Wasp Network 1984 Chevrolet CUCV M-1008 Minor role
Details

Wasp Network Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Kubánská spojka” and “Cuban Network”.

Also known as
  • Kubánská spojka
  • Cuban Network
  • WASP ネットワーク:2020
  • Афера в Майами
  • 와스프 네트워크
  • Операция стършел
  • Wasp Network: Rede de Espiões
  • La red Avispa
  • Wasp Network - Az ellenállók
  • Осиња мрежа
  • Осина мережа, კრაზანას ქსელი
  • 黄蜂网络
+14 more
  • Αβάνα, η Πόλη των Κατασκόπων
  • Casuslar Şehri
  • 蜂起雲湧
  • Mạng lưới ong bắp cày
  • WASP ネットワーク
  • Kubos voratinklis
  • Kuuba võrgustik
  • เครือข่ายอสรพิษ
  • Spiegu tīkls
  • WASP. Sieć szpiegów
  • Rețeaua cubaneză
  • Osina mreža
  • Le réseau cubain
  • Kubanskih pet

Seen Wasp Network?

FAQ

Wasp Network FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Wasp Network?

Wasp Network runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).

When was Wasp Network released?

Wasp Network was released on June 19, 2020.

Who directed Wasp Network?

Wasp Network was directed by Olivier Assayas.

More films by Olivier Assayas

Who is in the cast of Wasp Network?

Wasp Network stars Penélope Cruz as Olga Salanueva, Osdeymi Pastrana as Irma Gonzalez and Gael García Bernal as Gerardo Hernandez, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Wasp Network make at the box office?

Wasp Network grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a budget of $10.5 million.

How is Wasp Network rated?

Wasp Network has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Wasp Network have a post-credit scene?

No. Wasp Network has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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