Overview
A coming-of-age tale where teenage awkwardness meets unexpected romance and family turmoil.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- sardonic
- lazy sunday
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as funny, stylish, emotionally truthful, and an unusually fresh take on adolescent romance and family dysfunction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Oliver devises unorthodox plans to preserve his parents' relationship and secure Jordana's affection.
Critics specifically identify the film's laughs as being jostled by adolescent awkwardness, including Oliver's fixation on sex and popularity.
Oliver's self-aware narration and precociously articulate perspective shape the film's account of school, romance, and family crisis.
The cinematography gives the setting an archaic glow, evoking candlelight and setting sun despite its contemporary period.
Films like Submarine, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
awkward adolescent romance, witty self-conscious humor, and emotionally messy coming-of-age storytelling
Gregory's Girl
stylized teenage alienation, romantic confusion, and sharply observed British youth culture
Rushmore
deadpan adolescent perspective, uncomfortable sexual discovery, and bittersweet family tensions
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Ayoade
- Release Date
- 2011-03-18
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1644)
Cast
- Noah Taylor
- Paddy Considine
- Craig Roberts
- Yasmin Paige
- Sally Hawkins
- Steffan Rhodri
- Darren Evans
- Osian Cai Dulais
- Lily McCann
- Otis Lloyd
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
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Submarine about?
- A precocious Welsh teenager turns romance, school popularity, and his parents’ collapsing marriage into an awkwardly elaborate campaign for control.
- What is Submarine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Submarine as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Submarine violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Submarine.
- What did critics think of Submarine?
- Critics broadly praised the film as funny, stylish, emotionally truthful, and an unusually fresh take on adolescent romance and family dysfunction.
- Which films are like Submarine?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Gregory's Girl, and Rushmore.
- How long is Submarine?
- Submarine runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Submarine?
- In United States, Submarine streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
