Overview
A haunting tale of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of Berlin's urban landscape.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- eerie
- intimate
- quiet evening
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's enchanting central romance and Paula Beer's performance, while finding its folklore-driven storytelling murky but compelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Undine's identity and destiny derive from the ancient undine myth while she lectures on present-day Berlin.
Undine's profession and lectures on Berlin's urban development provide the film's distinctive connection between place, memory, and romance.
Johannes's departure activates the mythic demand that Undine avenge betrayal and return to the water.
Lectures, break-ups, rain, diving, and lakeside encounters coexist with Undine's mythic nature in a grounded contemporary setting.
Films like Undine, and why
The Shape of Water
myth-inflected romance, emotionally ambiguous fantasy, and poetic European art-house style
The Lure
folkloric transformation, intimate romance, and melancholic supernatural atmosphere
The Double Life of Véronique
European art-house romance shaped by destiny, betrayal, and dreamlike realism
The City of Lost Children
modernized fairy-tale motifs, restrained fantasy, and psychologically charged romantic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Christian Petzold
- Release Date
- 2020-07-01
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (294)
Cast
- Paula Beer
- Franz Rogowski
- Maryam Zaree
- Jacob Matschenz
- Anne Ratte-Polle
- Rafael Stachowiak
- Julia Franz Richter
- Gloria de Oliveira
- José Barros
- Enno Trebs
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, Sundance Now, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel
- 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 Undine about?
- A Berlin historian haunted by an ancient water-spirit myth finds love again, only to discover that betrayal carries supernatural consequences.
- What is Undine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Undine as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Undine violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Undine as moderate.
- What did critics think of Undine?
- Critics broadly praised the film's enchanting central romance and Paula Beer's performance, while finding its folklore-driven storytelling murky but compelling.
- Which films are like Undine?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shape of Water, The Lure, The Double Life of Véronique, and The City of Lost Children.
- How long is Undine?
- Undine runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Undine?
- In United States, Undine streams on Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, Sundance Now, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel.
