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Sci-fi romantic film

Zoe (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Zoe (2018) movie poster

Zoe is a 2018 sci-fi romantic film directed by Drake Doremus, starring Léa Seydoux as Zoe, Ewan McGregor and Miranda Otto. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $401,912 worldwide. Critics gave it 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
35%
worldwide gross
$401.9K
Echo Score
57
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Zoe (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Drake Doremus
Genres
Sci-Fi , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Zoe About?

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

Two scientists specializing in love embark on a groundbreaking experiment to understand and optimize human connection. As researchers, they meticulously analyze the complexities of romance, striving to develop a formula for the perfect relationship. However, their own feelings and personal lives become intertwined with their research, threatening to disrupt the experiment and challenge their understanding of love itself.

Zoe Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • artificial intelligence
  • addiction
  • brothel
  • robot
  • memory
  • drugs
  • robot human relationship
  • love
  • scientist
  • hit by a car
  • false memory
  • jumping into a lake
+22 more
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • reference to fred astaire
  • one word title
  • forename as title
  • humanoid robot
  • emotion
  • engineer
  • lake
  • jumping into water
  • sex scene
  • bar
  • following someone
  • kiss
  • loneliness
  • title at the end
  • no opening credits
  • low budget sci fi movie
  • artificial intelligence sci fi
  • male rear nudity
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
  • title appears in writing
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Cast & crew

Zoe Cast & Characters

Léa Seydoux leads the cast as Zoe, with Ewan McGregor as Cole and Miranda Otto as The Designer. Directed by Drake Doremus; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Zoe Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Zoe 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

57 /100

Zoe Echo Score Breakdown

Zoe presents a blend of affecting performances amid uneven storytelling. While the leads’ chemistry and emotional moments draw praise, critics point to repetitive dialogue and a lack of narrative focus, especially within its sci-fi premise. Visual and auditory elements receive moderate acclaim for their cohesion yet rarely elevate the material beyond its familiar tropes. Overall, the film registers as a mixed drama with notable acting but limited narrative resonance.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Zoe displays consistent visual framing and clean editing but seldom ventures beyond familiar stylistic choices. Observations highlight John Guleserian’s emphasis on natural lighting and measured shot compositions, though some reviewers found the lighting motifs repetitive. The production design supports the near-future setting, yet the overall visual approach remains serviceable rather than striking.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Zoe is anchored by convincing performances from its leads yet undermined by underdeveloped motivations. Viewers commend the chemistry between McGregor and Seydoux and the film’s intimate moments, but critics frequently cite nebulous character arcs and inconsistent emotional beats. The result is a cast-driven drama that shines in performance but falters in character clarity.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is uneven and often lacks coherence. Critics decry overwrought dialogue and missed science-fiction potential, while some users appreciate the premise but note pacing issues and superficial exploration of ideas. Although the film’s central romance yields engaging moments, its reliance on familiar tropes and uneven pacing produces a fragmented viewing experience.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the soundtrack and visual style are cohesive but seldom surprising. Dan Romer’s score complements the film’s tone, and the sound design underscores its quiet moments. Reviewers praise the naturalistic visuals and measured audio cues, yet few sequences achieve a lasting sensory impact. Overall, Zoe’s sensory elements support its mood effectively without delivering standout moments.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    On rewatch factor, Zoe offers limited replay value beyond its central performances. While some viewers appreciate its meditative pacing and emotional highlights, others find the film repetitive upon repeat viewings due to shallow sci-fi exploration and narrative redundancy. Ultimately, the movie maintains modest appeal for fans of the leads but lacks compelling discoveries that would reward multiple viewings.

Plot

Zoe Plot Summary

What happens in Zoe from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the not-so-distant future, romance has become a science: a computerized test can determine the likelihood of a successful partnership, and androids—known as “synthetics”—have been designed as the perfect companions, endlessly understanding and never leaving. Zoe, Léa Seydoux, and Cole, Ewan McGregor, work in the research facility responsible for developing this technology.

Zoe and Cole are friends, but Zoe harbors a crush on him, and her hopes are dashed when the compatibility test shows they have a 0% match. When she reveals the result, Cole gently explains that she is a synthetic. This revelation reframes everything, and the two navigate a world where what feels real is filtered through code and design.

Full summary

The whole story of Zoe, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Zoe Box Office

Zoe grossed $401,912 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$401.9K

International
$401.9K
Videos

Zoe Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Zoe.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Zoe?

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 actress plays the title character Zoe in the 2018 film?

Details

Zoe Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Зої” and “Aşkın Algoritması”.

Also known as
  • Зої
  • Aşkın Algoritması
  • Зоуи
  • Зои
  • 佐伊
  • Kochanek idealny
  • 조
  • Zoja
  • זואי
  • Ζωή
  • โซอี้
  • ホンモノの気持ち, ხელოვნური გრძნობა: ზოი

Seen Zoe?

FAQ

Zoe FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Zoe?

Zoe runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Zoe released?

Zoe was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed Zoe?

Zoe was directed by Drake Doremus.

More films by Drake Doremus

Who is in the cast of Zoe?

Zoe stars Léa Seydoux as Zoe, Ewan McGregor as Cole and Miranda Otto as The Designer, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Zoe make at the box office?

Zoe grossed $401,912 worldwide.

How is Zoe rated?

Zoe has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Zoe have a post-credit scene?

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

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