Fish Tank
Fish Tank Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 14, 2026
Movie Overview: Fish Tank
| Movie | Fish Tank |
| Release Year | 2009 |
| Director | Andrea Arnold |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 123 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Fish Tank (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. 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 Fish Tank are led by Katie Jarvis . The supporting cast, including Michael Fassbender and Kierston Wareing , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Fish Tank 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, Fish Tank 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: Fish Tank
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, Fish Tank is a Drama film directed by Andrea Arnold. 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 Katie Jarvis.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life. The screenplay takes time to develop Katie Jarvis'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. Katie Jarvis'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: Fish Tank
Fish Tank Ending Explained: Directed by Andrea Arnold, Fish Tank wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. 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 Katie Jarvis. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Fish Tank reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Fish Tank?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Katie Jarvis or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Fish Tank
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $5.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Fish Tank Budget
The estimated production budget for Fish Tank is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Fish Tank
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Fish Tank Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV
PhiloFish Tank Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about Fish Tank age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Fish Tank is 123 minutes (2h 3m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, Fish Tank is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fish Tank worth watching?
Fish Tank is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Fish Tank parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Fish Tank identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Fish Tank?
The total duration of Fish Tank is 123 minutes, which is approximately 2h 3m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Fish Tank
How Fish Tank Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Fish Tank
Kate Jarvis is on great form here as the vulnerably odious "Mia". Living with her mother and sister, she is unruly and uncaring. Nobody cares about her and she cheerfully reciprocates. That is, however, until her mum (Kierston Wareing) brings home a hot new boyfriend. "Connor" (Michael Fassbender) has no time for her histrionics which infuriates her even more. Meantime, she has determined to free an horse that is owned by some local lads and chained near their caravans. Armed with an hammer, well that doesn't quite go to plan - but she does meet "Billy" (Harry Treadaway) so maybe it's not a complete disaster. It's quite clear what her agenda is, and the quickly paced drama illustrates just how wily she can be at achieving it. This is where the story rather falls off a cliff for me. Too much baggage is dumped on us and the already pretty unlikeable envious "Mia" proceeds to behave in such a reckless and thoughtless manner that any sympathy I had for her evaporated. There's precisely no chemistry between Jarvis and Fassbender (or even Treadaway) and that doesn't help convince that there is anything real here. It's noisy and earthy enough, sure, but just how did she ever become this teenage harridan and why ought anyone - family or otherwise - give a damn at all about "Mia". A very strong and convincing effort from Jarvis, though.
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.
