Is Fish Tank Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Fish Tank is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 123 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Fish Tank Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2009, Fish Tank emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her. Unlike standard genre fare, Fish Tank attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Fish Tank features a noteworthy lineup led by Katie Jarvis . Supported by the likes of Michael Fassbender and Kierston Wareing , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Fish Tank (2009) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Fish Tank Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Fish Tank is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
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 its characters, 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. The 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 themes.
Fish Tank Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Fish Tank concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Fish Tank reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Fish Tank?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Fish Tank Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of Fish Tank
- Katie Jarvis – Mia Williams
- Michael Fassbender – Connor O'Reily
- Kierston Wareing – Joanne Williams
- Rebecca Griffiths – Tyler Williams
- Harry Treadaway – Billy
Top Highlights
Katie JarvisMia Williams
Michael FassbenderConnor O'Reily
Kierston WareingJoanne Williams
Rebecca GriffithsTyler Williams
Harry TreadawayBilly
Jason MazaBilly's Brother
Jack GordonBilly's Brother
Joanna HortonKelly
Sarah BayesKeeley
Grant WildKeeleys Dad
Where to Watch Fish Tank Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV
PhiloParents Guide & Age Rating
Fish Tank is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.9/10, and global collection metrics, Fish Tank stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2009 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fish Tank movie hit or flop?
Fish Tank has received mixed reviews with a 6.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Fish Tank worth watching?
Fish Tank is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Fish Tank online?
Fish Tank is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV, Philo depending on your region.
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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.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
