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Biographical drama

Young Woman and the Sea (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Young Woman and the Sea (2024) movie poster

Young Woman and the Sea is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Joachim Rønning, starring Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle, Kim Bodnia and Jeanette Hain. It is partly based on Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $581,725 worldwide on a $40 million budget. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
worldwide gross
$581.7K
Echo Score
78
Metascore
62
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Young Woman and the Sea (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Joachim Rønning
Genres
Biography , Drama , Romance , Sport
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Young Woman and the Sea About?

The premise of Young Woman and the Sea without spoilers, adapted from Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Driven by determination and supported by a dedicated network, Trudy Ederle challenged societal expectations and shattered barriers in the male-dominated world of competitive swimming. Her remarkable journey culminated in a record-breaking 21-mile swim across the English Channel, an unprecedented achievement that inspired generations.

Young Woman and the Sea Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sister
  • swimming
  • olympic games
  • paris 1924 summer olympics
  • english channel
  • competition
  • based on true story
  • based on real people
  • reference to gertrude caroline ederle
  • 1920s
  • swimmer
  • aquatic sport
+38 more
  • male rear nudity
  • skinny dipping
  • male nudity
  • based on book
  • marathon
  • year 1924
  • year 1926
  • year 1925
  • sea
  • life
  • journey
  • athlete
  • champion
  • female protagonist
  • wave
  • gold
  • disney
  • 20th century
  • medal
  • career
  • ocean
  • paris france
  • nathan's hot dogs
  • night swimming
  • 88 year old woman
  • new jersey
  • measles
  • carrier pigeon
  • parade
  • birthday
  • welcome home sign
  • seasickness
  • swimming the english channel
  • new york city
  • new york yankees
  • 20 year old woman
  • reference to jack dempsey
  • babe ruth character
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Cast & crew

Young Woman and the Sea Cast & Characters

Daisy Ridley leads the cast as Trudy Ederle, with Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle and Jeanette Hain as Gertrude Ederle. Directed by Joachim Rønning; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Joachim Rønning

More films directed by Joachim Rønning, best-rated first: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Max Manus, Kon-Tiki and TRON: Ares.

Full filmography
Ratings

Young Woman and the Sea Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Young Woman and the Sea 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

78 /100

Young Woman and the Sea Echo Score Breakdown

Young Woman and the Sea balances a stirring underdog narrative with familiar biopic conventions. Critics and audiences commend its confident direction and evocative visual compositions, anchored by a committed lead performance and resonant emotional beats. The plot delivers consistent engagement through measured pacing, though it occasionally succumbs to predictable turns and sanitized treatment of history. The musical score and soundscapes reinforce the adventurous tone and the combination of heartfelt moments keeps viewers invested. Overall, its strengths in craft and feeling outweigh its conventional contours.

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

  • Art & Craft 82

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits assured direction and crisp visual compositions that convey the intensity of open-water swimming. Cinematography frequently immerses the viewer in the channel’s vastness while production design evokes the 1920s setting with understated detail. Editing maintains clarity during race sequences. Overall, the technical cohesion reinforces the story’s spirited momentum.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performance delivers sincere emotional depth that anchors the narrative. The protagonist’s determination resonates through nuanced expressions and clear motivations. Supporting roles add earnest stakes, though some relationships feel broadly sketched. Emotional moments are effectively staged, eliciting genuine reactions. Overall, the character dynamics provide a solid foundation despite occasional simplicity.

  • Story & Flow 72

    In terms of story and flow, the film sustains steady engagement through a clear underdog arc and deliberate pacing. The narrative structure balances exposition with climactic swims, although predictable beats and streamlined conflicts undercut some dramatic weight. Plot development is coherent but seldom ventures into novel territory. Overall, the story delivers reliable momentum and emotional investment despite leaning on familiar biopic formulas.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When it comes to sensory experience, the score and sound design consistently heighten emotional impact and immerse the audience in each stroke. Amelia Warner’s musical themes underscore pivotal moments with measured swelling, while ambient water effects and crisp sound mixing enhance realism. The visual style complements these elements with a restrained color palette and dynamic framing. Overall, the sensory elements are cohesive and engaging.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s inspiring underdog storyline and polished execution encourage repeat viewings. Its emotional peaks and clear race sequences remain engaging even after familiarity sets in. However, the predictable structure and sanitized portrayal of history may lessen some incentive for subsequent viewings. Overall, the film retains moderate replay appeal through its crafted tension and emotive highs.

Plot

Young Woman and the Sea Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Young Woman and the Sea from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In New York City, 1914, a young Trudy Ederle, who is afflicted with measles, witnesses a burning ferry capsize, with that disaster leaving hundreds of the passengers dead. , learn swimming for their survival, with Trudy barred from water due to her illness. Surprisingly, Trudy recovers from measles. She becomes fascinated with swimming, and having persuaded her stern father, Henry, to allow her, she begins to pursue the sport when she’s 12. Subsequently, Gertrude has them join the Women’s Swimming Association, under the tutelage of the headstrong Charlotte Epstein. Trudy is initially passed over for Meg, whom Epstein favors, nevertheless, she agrees also to train Trudy, who makes quick progress.

Full summary

The whole story of Young Woman and the Sea, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Young Woman and the Sea Box Office & Budget

Young Woman and the Sea grossed $581,725 worldwide on a $40 million budget. $500,000 came from the US and Canada and $81,725 (14%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$581.7K

US & Canada
$500K
International
$81.7K
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 86% Rest of the world 14%
Videos

Young Woman and the Sea Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 1 trailer, 6 teasers, 4 clips, 4 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 16 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Certified Fresh
  • Teaser "Remarkable"
  • Teaser Courage
  • Teaser "Experience"
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Young Woman and the Sea?

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
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  10. Question 10: not answered

In which year does the movie 'Young Woman and the Sea' begin?

Details

Young Woman and the Sea Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “La jeune femme et la mer” and “女人与海”.

Also known as
  • La jeune femme et la mer
  • 女人与海
  • 年轻女子与海
  • Die junge Frau und das Meer
  • Genç Kadın ve Deniz
  • 追浪少女
  • 泳者之心
  • Face à la mer : l’histoire de Trudy Ederle
  • Cô Gái Vượt Biển
  • 여인과 바다
  • Девушка и море
  • La joven y el mar
+15 more
  • Dziewczyna i morze
  • La ragazza del mare
  • A Jovem e o Mar
  • ヤング・ウーマン・アンド・シー
  • אישה צעירה והים
  • Dívka a moře
  • Lány a hullámok hátán
  • Η Νεαρή Γυναίκα και η Θάλασσα
  • 追浪少女 Young Woman and the Sea
  • Tânăra și marea
  • Žena a more
  • Млада жена и море
  • Дівчина і море
  • Jauna moteris jūroje
  • Девойката и морето

Seen Young Woman and the Sea?

FAQ

Young Woman and the Sea FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Young Woman and the Sea, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Young Woman and the Sea?

Young Woman and the Sea runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Young Woman and the Sea released?

Young Woman and the Sea was released on May 31, 2024.

Who directed Young Woman and the Sea?

Young Woman and the Sea was directed by Joachim Rønning.

More films by Joachim Rønning

Who is in the cast of Young Woman and the Sea?

Young Woman and the Sea stars Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle, Kim Bodnia as Henry Ederle and Jeanette Hain as Gertrude Ederle, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Young Woman and the Sea make at the box office?

Young Woman and the Sea grossed $581,725 worldwide ($500,000 domestic, $81,725 international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Young Woman and the Sea rated?

Young Woman and the Sea has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 62 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.

Is Young Woman and the Sea based on a book?

Yes. Young Woman and the Sea is partly adapted from Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout.

Does Young Woman and the Sea have a post-credit scene?

No. Young Woman and the Sea has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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