Breathe
Breathe Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Breathe
| Movie | Breathe |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Director | Andy Serkis |
| Genre | Drama / Romance |
| Runtime | 118 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Breathe (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Breathe are led by Andrew Garfield . The supporting cast, including Claire Foy and Hugh Bonneville , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Breathe stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Breathe has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Breathe
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, Breathe is a Drama, Romance film directed by Andy Serkis. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Andrew Garfield.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed. The screenplay takes time to develop Andrew Garfield's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Andrew Garfield's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Breathe
Breathe Ending Explained: Directed by Andy Serkis, Breathe resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Andrew Garfield. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Breathe reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Breathe Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Breathe Based on a True Story?
Breathe uses real-world events as inspiration. As a drama, romance film directed by Andy Serkis, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: Breathe uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Breathe?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Andrew Garfield or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Breathe
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $5.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Breathe
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Where to Watch Breathe Online?
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YouTubeBreathe Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about Breathe age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Breathe is 118 minutes (1h 58m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Breathe is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Breathe worth watching?
Breathe is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Breathe parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Breathe identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Breathe?
The total duration of Breathe is 118 minutes, which is approximately 1h 58m long.
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Critic Reviews for Breathe
This is a delightfully photographed depiction of the life of pioneering Simon Cavendish (Andrew Garfield), afflicted with chronically debilitating polio in his late twenties, who spent much of his life striving, with his wife Diana (Claire Foy) to help develop and improve the facilities for the disabled. It was produced by their son Jonathan, so there is a certain - admittedly rose-tinted - authenticity about their struggle; their dedication to each other (and to him) and their determination to beat the odds - and it is a compelling feature to watch with good performances from the leading pair. The characterisations are not the most substantial, we sort of race through their lives without really getting to know either of them, and that's a shame - I could have done with just a bit more passion, anger, frustration - all of which must have reared their heads as the couple faced the challenges in an environment far removed from the modern-day appliance-driven society that we take very much for granted forty years later. A good ensemble cast - Ed Speleers, Stephen Mangen, Tom Hollander and a tiny cameo from Dame Diana Rigg along with some typically detailed craft efforts and a gently paced score from Nitin Sawhney all help to give this a poignancy that. though at times hard to watch, delivers a strong message of compassion, determination, a generosity of spirit and ultimately a question of choices that I rather enjoyed.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










