Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- solemn
- intimate
- compassionate
- historical film night
- serious weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the fact-based rescue story noble and emotionally affecting, while judging its execution less powerful and impactful than the material warranted.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Antonina and Jan's zoo, home, and family life become the practical infrastructure for sheltering persecuted people.
The emptied Warsaw Zoo is transformed into a hidden refuge for Jewish men, women, and children under Nazi surveillance.
Antonina's identity as a zookeeper and veterinarian shapes her compassion for both the zoo's animals and the people she shelters.
Antonina is the central viewpoint and active participant in the rescue operation, rather than a peripheral witness to Jan's actions.
Films like The Zookeeper's Wife, and why
Schindler's List
shared fact-based world war ii drama, civilian resistance, and morally urgent rescue narrative
The Pianist
shared holocaust drama, historical setting, survival under Nazi persecution, and emotional humanism
Defiance
shared wartime historical drama centered on protecting persecuted civilians through courageous resistance
A Woman in Berlin
shared biographical war drama, female-centered perspective, and intimate courage amid Nazi occupation
Movie Details
- Director
- Niki Caro
- Release Date
- 2017-03-24
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1592)
Cast
- Jessica Chastain
- Daniel Brühl
- Johan Heldenbergh
- Michael McElhatton
- Timothy Radford
- Efrat Dor
- Iddo Goldberg
- Shira Haas
- Val Maloku
- Martha Issová
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Zookeeper's Wife about?
- A Warsaw zookeeper and her husband turn a ruined zoo into a clandestine sanctuary for Jewish families beneath the Nazi occupation.
- What is The Zookeeper's Wife like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Zookeeper's Wife as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Zookeeper's Wife violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Zookeeper's Wife as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Zookeeper's Wife?
- Critics generally found the fact-based rescue story noble and emotionally affecting, while judging its execution less powerful and impactful than the material warranted.
- Which films are like The Zookeeper's Wife?
- Films with a similar feel include Schindler's List, The Pianist, Defiance, and A Woman in Berlin.
- How long is The Zookeeper's Wife?
- The Zookeeper's Wife runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Zookeeper's Wife?
- In United States, The Zookeeper's Wife is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
