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Drama thriller

Wasp Network (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Wasp Network (2019) movie poster

Wasp Network is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Olivier Assayas, starring Penélope Cruz as Olga, Edgar Ramírez and Armando Suávez Cobián. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide on a $10.5 million budget. Its Echo Score is 51/100.

worldwide gross
$1.6M
Echo Score
51
budget
$10.5M
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Wasp Network (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Olivier Assayas
Genres
Drama , History , Thriller
Original language
English
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 1990 Havana, Cuba, airplane pilot René González makes the unexpected decision to leave his home, abandoning his wife Olga and their daughter Irma. He begins a new life in Miami, Florida, and becomes involved with an anti-Castro organization. The film explores the complex question of whether he is a traitor or a hero.

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, with Edgar Ramírez as René and Armando Suávez Cobián as Havana Airport Controller. Directed by Olivier Assayas; 85 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Wasp Network

· 81 more
Show all 85 cast members
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

Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in character & emotion (68) and weakest in story & flow (35).

51 /100

Wasp Network Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of the film as a whole, the dominant weakness lies in its fragmented narrative and uneven pacing, which many reviewers cite as confusing and disjointed. While the direction offers detailed political context and occasional visual flair, these strengths are insufficient to overcome the muddled story structure. The mixed reactions from critics and users result in a modest aggregate impression, placing the movie in the lower mid‑range of the scoring spectrum.

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

  • Art & Craft 48

    Regarding art and craft, the direction receives acknowledgment for its meticulous political detail and occasional visual elegance. However, critics highlight a sluggish pace and uneven editing that detract from the overall cohesion. The cinematography is noted as “pretty,” yet the disjointed screenplay limits the impact of these technical elements, resulting in a modest appraisal.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating character and emotion, the performances are praised by user commentary as extraordinary, with particular admiration for the lead actors’ chemistry. Critics, however, offer limited discussion of acting, focusing instead on narrative flaws. This disparity yields a generally positive assessment of the cast’s depth and resonance, though the lack of broader critical endorsement moderates the score.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The story and flow present the most significant challenges; multiple reviewers describe the plot as incoherent, overly ambitious, and burdened by an excess of names, dates, and espionage details. Pacing is criticized as both rushed and stagnant, undermining engagement. While a few viewers acknowledge a slow‑burn intrigue, the prevailing consensus deems the narrative structure fundamentally flawed.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film offers occasional visual appeal and a detailed political backdrop that some reviewers find engaging. However, the lack of consistent sound design commentary and mixed opinions on the score result in an average assessment. The overall sensory impact is therefore moderate, reflecting both strengths and shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential is limited due to the film’s confusing narrative and uneven rhythm, which many find discouraging for repeat viewings. Nonetheless, a subset of viewers appreciate the detailed political backdrop and occasional strong performances, suggesting some merit for a second look. Overall, the combination of narrative weakness and sporadic highlights results in modest replay value.

Plot

Wasp Network Plot Summary

What happens in Wasp Network from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Havana in the early 1990s, the pilot René González, Edgar Ramírez, leaves his wife Olga, Penélope Cruz, and their daughter Irma, Carolina Peraza Matamoros, behind as he secretly flies to the United States on a stolen Antonov An-2. The move sets off a chain of dangerous choices that pull him into a murky world where personal loyalties collide with political intrigue. René soon slips into the orbit of a group of Cuban exiles and anti-Castro activists operating from Florida, a coalition that seems to promise freedom but often blurs the line between justice and violence. Amid the shifting allegiances, he encounters the shadow network known as la Red Avispa, or the “Wasp Network,” a clandestine operation that becomes central to the film’s tense moral questions.

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.

2019 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

Which actor portrays René González, the pilot who secretly flees to the United States at the beginning of the film?

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

Seen Wasp Network?

FAQ

Wasp Network FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Wasp Network?

Wasp Network runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Wasp Network released?

Wasp Network was released on September 1, 2019.

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, Edgar Ramírez as René and Armando Suávez Cobián as Havana Airport Controller, among 85 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.

Does Wasp Network have a post-credit scene?

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

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