Serenity

Aviron Pictures | Release Date: January 25, 2019

4.7	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 100 Ratings

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MarkHReviewsFeb 5, 2019

“Serenity” deserves real interest and support. Not because it’s a perfect movie – very few are, this one certainly is not. It deserves attention for playing with genre stereotypes and nudging boundaries in a truly interesting way.

In 2013,“Serenity” deserves real interest and support. Not because it’s a perfect movie – very few are, this one certainly is not. It deserves attention for playing with genre stereotypes and nudging boundaries in a truly interesting way.

In 2013, Writer/Director Steven Knight was applauded for “Locke.” In that film, with the exception of the opening scene, all the action takes place inside a car during a long drive to London. In “Serenity,” Knight spends the first half of the movie putting a blockbuster cast through its paces to set up a fairly conventional film noir. He then spends the remainder turning the genre inside-out, offering a bit of existential introspection (do any of us truly know anything?) and providing some thoughts about the consequences of domestic violence.

Presumably because of the film’s lofty aspirations, Knight has been able to assemble a powerhouse cast. Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) is a dissolute fishing boat captain, traumatized by war and seeking solace at the end of the world. Soon enough, his ex-wife (Anne Hathaway) arrives with a typically noirish proposition: if Dill will take her abusive husband (played powerfully by Jason Clarke) on a one-way fishing expedition, Dill can have the husband’s $10 million in ill-gotten gains. Diane Lane makes an odd appearance as a very-part-time love interest and neighborhood watch lady.

McConaughey’s performance, which carries the film, is a slow burn. Early on, he is portrayed as a man burying his anger, trauma, resentment and pain in booze, with all the enigmatic enthusiasm he brings to selling Lincoln Navigators. As the plot develops (thickens, curdles, insert your own verb here), McConaughey’s intensity ratchets up appropriately, to a very satisfying climax.

Busting genres is not for the faint of heart. Professional critics have generally savaged this film. In my view, they are wrong. This is a very imperfect film. Beyond Baker Dill, none of the characters are developed in a meaningful way. The existential “reveal” in the middle of the film offers an array of thematic options, none of which are pursued fully. Despite its failures, this movie deserves a thoughtful, engaged audience. These days, films waste too much time playing it safe - too many superheroes, too many mind-numbing sequels. There are too few films that, like “Serenity,” are willing to take real chances.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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JoeCoolMar 31, 2019

The first half hour of the movie is definitely slow, but the around the half hour mark things get interesting. At around the hour you know there's more to this movie than meets the eye, ultimately turning into a movie that's actually quiteThe first half hour of the movie is definitely slow, but the around the half hour mark things get interesting. At around the hour you know there's more to this movie than meets the eye, ultimately turning into a movie that's actually quite brilliant, if it weren't for the last 5 minutes which I thought were unnecessesary, but I managed to look past that.
I did thoroughly enjoy watching this movie and that's what it's all about. I'm not going to throw out any spoilers here, you have to see it for yourself and decide whether these professional critics know their stuff or are just going through the motions, all saying pretty much nothing at all. Then again, movies that are even a bit spiritual often get a red flag from a lot of critics for reasons unclear to me. I'm glad I saw this movie and plan on seeing it again.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Compi24Jan 26, 2019

Writer director Steven Knight takes one of the biggest swings I've ever seen a filmmaker take in a single film, ultimately crafting one of the only movies I've ever seen that I still can't entirely place. Is this movie truly horrificallyWriter director Steven Knight takes one of the biggest swings I've ever seen a filmmaker take in a single film, ultimately crafting one of the only movies I've ever seen that I still can't entirely place. Is this movie truly horrifically conceived, with any perceived moments of genuine enjoyment coming from random, happenstantial, and ironic luck? Or is all of this intentional, with Steven Knight's prolific, Academy-Award-nominated mind soaring high above those of us who just can't understand his genius? I have no idea, but I will say this - I had a blast watching "Serenity." And, because I still can't tell what I think about it, I'll try my best to come up with the most reliable composite of my heart's genuine reaction and my brain's honest opinion of this as a functioning piece of cinema. The ending result is as listed above. But you have to see this for yourself in order to adequately absorb the wacky audacity of the story at hand here.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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hugoferreiraJan 25, 2019

It's a bold move from Steven that apparently didn't appealed to the critics that applaud some other empty movies (like "oscar nominee" Black Phanter), but ok the review is about Serinity. The movie it's very weird and the movie should endIt's a bold move from Steven that apparently didn't appealed to the critics that applaud some other empty movies (like "oscar nominee" Black Phanter), but ok the review is about Serinity. The movie it's very weird and the movie should end around 10 min before then it actually does (Steven's fault here). However, at the same time is bold, innovative and surprisingly refreshing. The first half of movie you wanna go home and think why? just why? but the second half you are there "oh! wow!" that was pretty cool. It's a well conceived nowadays thriller. This 39 score from critics, seriously? Maybe if Karen (Anne Hathaway) was a black woman beaten by her white husband or Patrick was a poor, not understood, gay boy the score would be around 90.… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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team8800Jan 25, 2019

Great movie,if you were raised without father,it will hit you to the heart.

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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BantarificFeb 2, 2019

This is perhaps the first movie I've ever seen where the plot twist went completely over everyone's head, including ALL of the critics, (even the few who actually enjoyed it.) The film red herrings the living hell out of the audience, butThis is perhaps the first movie I've ever seen where the plot twist went completely over everyone's head, including ALL of the critics, (even the few who actually enjoyed it.) The film red herrings the living hell out of the audience, but it's quite easy to see past with some critical thinking. Of course, it's always possible that all the symbolism and metaphor was completely coincidental, and that the internal logic of the film is entirely non-existent. But try to think a little bit deeper and you too might figure out that maybe we shouldn't take the film's "absurd plot twist" at face value...… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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sergiomach5Jul 30, 2020

I love that this film goes all in with its ideas, and I feel I am exactly the right kind of audience for a film that doesn't play it safe like every other movie with regards to narrative. I do feel that the film drags in places and theI love that this film goes all in with its ideas, and I feel I am exactly the right kind of audience for a film that doesn't play it safe like every other movie with regards to narrative. I do feel that the film drags in places and the buildup to the twist may have been better with less cutaways and kept in the dark more, but it goes for it, and I love putting this on to see other peoples reactions. Not for everyone, but one of a kind and I feel this could do with influencing future films down the line.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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ashronlivApr 2, 2021

i Was Shocked For Minutes When The Story Of Movie Had Changed But It Was Worth It,Someone May Find It Weird But I liked It.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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