Fish Tank
A fiercely naturalistic portrait of an alienated teenage girl searching for direction amid a volatile Essex family life.
Overview
A raw and unfiltered glimpse into the life of a troubled teenager seeking escape and identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- gritty
- volatile
- melancholic
- reflective evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaim the film as exceptional gritty British realism, highlighting its emotionally commanding direction and flawless performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mia's confrontational behavior, aimlessness, and shifting relationships shape the film through her unstable adolescent perspective.
The Essex estate, nonprofessional lead performance, and unsentimental depiction of working class family life place the film firmly in British social realism.
The camera stays closely aligned with Mia amid estate spaces, confrontations, and restless movement.
Mia's uneasy bond with her mother's boyfriend Connor becomes central to her search for encouragement and trust.
Films like Fish Tank, and why
The 400 Blows
shared gritty coming of age drama, working class realism, and alienated adolescent protagonist
Kes
shared british social realism, troubled youth, and emotionally raw family conflict
The Selfish Giant
shared intimate social realism, female adolescence, and volatile domestic relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrea Arnold
- Release Date
- 2009-09-11
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (977)
Cast
- Katie Jarvis
- Michael Fassbender
- Kierston Wareing
- Rebecca Griffiths
- Harry Treadaway
- Jason Maza
- Jack Gordon
- Joanna Horton
- Sarah Bayes
- Grant Wild
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Fish Tank about?
- A fiercely naturalistic portrait of an alienated teenage girl searching for direction amid a volatile Essex family life.
- What is Fish Tank like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fish Tank as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Fish Tank violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Fish Tank as mild.
- What did critics think of Fish Tank?
- Critics broadly acclaim the film as exceptional gritty British realism, highlighting its emotionally commanding direction and flawless performances.
- Which films are like Fish Tank?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, Kes, and The Selfish Giant.
- How long is Fish Tank?
- Fish Tank runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fish Tank?
- In United States, Fish Tank streams on fuboTV, Philo.
