Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- intimate
- contemplative
- thoughtful date night
- moody evening viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually seductive and well acted but structurally confused, slow-moving, and unable to fulfill its ambitious blend of romance and global suspense.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James is held captive in East Africa while Danielle prepares for a deep-sea mission near Greenland, with their relationship connecting the separate strands.
The film alternates James's captivity and Danielle's submersible preparations with memories of their relationship.
Windowless captivity and the descent into the Greenland Sea create parallel images of enclosure, pressure, and separation.
James's intelligence work and Danielle's scientific mission place their personal romance alongside larger humanitarian and existential concerns.
Films like Submergence, and why
The English Patient
intercontinental romance, separated lovers, and melancholic dramatic tone
The Constant Gardener
intense romance shaped by political danger and international displacement
A Very Long Engagement
literary romantic drama combining emotional intimacy with suspense and global locations
Movie Details
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Release Date
- 2018-03-01
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (319)
Cast
- James McAvoy
- Alicia Vikander
- Celyn Jones
- Alexander Siddig
- Alex Hafner
- Harvey Friedman
- Jean-Pierre Lorit
- Loïc Corbery
- Adam Quintero
- Julien Bouanich
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 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 Submergence about?
- A passionate romance is tested by jihadist captivity, scientific extremity, and the vast distances separating two driven people.
- What is Submergence like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Submergence as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Submergence violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Submergence as mild.
- What did critics think of Submergence?
- Critics broadly found the film visually seductive and well acted but structurally confused, slow-moving, and unable to fulfill its ambitious blend of romance and global suspense.
- Which films are like Submergence?
- Films with a similar feel include The English Patient, The Constant Gardener, and A Very Long Engagement.
- How long is Submergence?
- Submergence runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Submergence?
- In United States, Submergence streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
