Wasp Network (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Olivier Assayas
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- CG Cinéma
- Budget
- $10.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Olivier Assayas
-
Penélope Cruz as Olga - Edgar Ramírez as René
- Armando Suávez Cobián as Havana Airport Controller
- Lorenzo Rodríguez César as Havana Airport Customs Agent
Also Starring in Wasp Network
· 81 more- René Flinn Bill Clinton's Envoy to Cuba
- Noslen Sánchez Fernando González
- Javier Guillarte Fernández State Security Agent with Olga
- Yura López Immigration Agent with Olga
- Osdeymi Pastrana Miranda Irma
- Nolan Guerra Fernández Cruz León
- Antulio Marín Cruz León's Taxi Driver
- Carolina Peraza Matamoros Irma (6 Years Old)
- Ilianki Vera Rivero Cuban Airbase Controller
- Jorge Reinaldo Ramírez Fernández Cuban Airbase Officer
- Gael García Bernal Viramontez
- Harlys Becerra CANF Activist #1
- Gabriel Buenaventura CANF Activist #2
- Tony Plana Luis Posada Carriles
- Yailene Sierra Luis Posada Carriles' Interviewer #3
- Colin Laverty Luis Posada Carriles' Interviewer #1
Show all 85 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Gregory Binowski Luis Posada Carriles' Interviewer #2
- Fidel Castro Themselves
- Wagner Moura Roque
- Bill Clinton Themselves
- Leonardo Sbaraglia Basulto
- Ana de Armas Ana Margarita
- Carlos Leal Narrator (voice)
- Brannon Cross US Coast Guard
- Julian Flynn PUND's Pilot
- Steve Howard US Airbase Controller
- Miguel Ángel García Co-pilot Cessna #1
- Ruairi Rhodes Guantánamo Base US Officer #2
- Brendan McNamee FBI Agent - Stakeout #1
- Yaité Ruiz Linda Hernández
- Daniel Romero Pildaín Pilot Cessna #2
- Yasmani Guerrero Nilo Hernández
- Edwin Fernández Officer Caballero
- Amada Morado Tete
- Ernesto Ruiz Faxas René's FBI Contact
- Philip Stanton Inglés Ahora Boss
- Omar Ali Jorge Mas Canosa
- Michael Strelow FBI Agent - Stakeout #3
- Adri Torrijos FBI Agent #1
- Anel Perdomo Viramontez's Wife
- Julio Gabay Roque's Cousin
- Leandro Cáceres Panzón
- Juan Carlos Roque Moreno Colonel Rabeiro
- Feliberto Beatón Officer Estrada
- Raúl Bravo René's Brother
- Elbert Álvarez Tannery Manager
- Juan Ángel Samper Castro's Envoy
- Chris Gillette Bill Clinton's Advisor #1
- Stephen William Tenner Bill Clinton's Advisor #2
- Adria Perez Judge
- Saúl Rojas Raúl Labanino Salazar
- Denys Ramos Antúnez Antonio Guerrero
- Alberto González Corona Joseph Santos
- Dánae Hernández Reyes Amarylis Silveiro
- Luis A. Batista Pilot Cessna #1
- Luis Miguel B. Co-pilot Cessna #2
- Abel López Cedre Basulto's Co-pilot
- Teherán Aguilar Anti-Castroist Commando #1
- Armando Palma Anti-Castroist Commando #2
- Egor Viga Anti-Castroist Commando #3
- Thomas Michael Dubyna Guantánamo Base US Officer #1
- Rob Harvie FBI Agent - Stakeout #2
- Jhoey Carol FBI Agent #2
- Patricia González Ciuffardi Roque's Interviewer
- Juan Jacomino René's Press Conference
- Alexander Meneghini René's Press Conference
- Michael Weissenstein Basulto's Press Conference
- Patrick Perry Oppman Basulto's Press Conference
- Will Grant Basulto's Press Conference
- Johanna Sol Newscaster at Wedding
- Giuseppe Scarfari Italian Victim
- Luisa Marcolina Ausenda Italian Tourist #1
- Gabriele Filippone Italian Tourist #2
- Yanelis Tejera Hotel Capri Concierge
- Casandra Lungu Nurse
- María del Carmen Muina Lady on Plane
- Pilar Varo Gladys
- Jade Kayla Lage Maynier Ivett (18 Months)
- Leia Sarmiento Baby Yvett
- Alma Shamira Parilla Baby Yvett
- Roberto Robaina Themselves
More from Olivier Assayas
More films directed by Olivier Assayas, best-rated first: Carlos, Summer Hours, Clouds of Sils Maria and Irma Vep.
Wasp Network Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in character & emotion (68) and weakest in story & flow (35).
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.
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
Wasp Network Box Office & Budget
Wasp Network grossed $1.6 million worldwide on a $10.5 million budget, 15% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$1.6M
15% of its budget back
- International
- $1.6M
- Budget
- $10.5M
Wasp Network Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Wasp Network.
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
- 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
Which actor portrays René González, the pilot who secretly flees to the United States at the beginning of the film?
Cars in Wasp Network
47 cars on screen, including the 1975 Lada 1300 21011 and the 1987 Nissan Sunny.
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1975 Lada 1300 21011 Important role -
1987 Nissan Sunny Important role -
1986 Cadillac Seville Minor role -
1984 Chevrolet CUCV M-1008 Minor role
Seen Wasp Network?
Movies Like Wasp Network
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Wasp Network, Castro's Spies and I Am Cuba.
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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