Is Oblivion Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Oblivion is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 124 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Oblivion Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2013, Oblivion emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Unlike standard genre fare, Oblivion attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Oblivion features a noteworthy lineup led by Tom Cruise . Supported by the likes of Morgan Freeman and Olga Kurylenko , 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 Oblivion (2013) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Oblivion Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Oblivion is a Action, Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery film that delivers high-octane sequences and adrenaline-pumping confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The narrative structure follows a classic action blueprint: establish the protagonist's world, introduce a formidable antagonist, and escalate the stakes through increasingly intense confrontations. Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. His existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- 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 final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Thematic Depth
Beyond the spectacle, the film explores themes of justice, redemption, and the cost of violence. It questions whether the ends justify the means and examines the personal toll of heroism.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Oblivion Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Oblivion concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, 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 action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Oblivion reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Oblivion?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Oblivion Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $120.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $286.2M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Oblivion Budget
The estimated production budget for Oblivion is $120.0M. 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 Oblivion
- Tom Cruise – Jack
- Morgan Freeman – Beech
- Olga Kurylenko – Julia
- Andrea Riseborough – Victoria
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Sykes
Top Highlights
Tom CruiseJack
Morgan FreemanBeech
Olga KurylenkoJulia
Andrea RiseboroughVictoria
Nikolaj Coster-WaldauSykes
Melissa LeoSally
Zoë BellKara
Abigail LoweJulia's Child
Isabelle LoweJulia's Child
Booch O'ConnellTourist (uncredited)
Where to Watch Oblivion Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
JioHotstar🎟️ Rent on
Zee5
Hungama Play
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Oblivion is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, Oblivion stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2013 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oblivion movie hit or flop?
Oblivion has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Oblivion worth watching?
Oblivion is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Science Fiction, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Oblivion online?
Oblivion is currently available for streaming on JioHotstar. You can also check for it on platforms like JioHotstar depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Oblivion
Completely unoriginal plot, brings nothing new to the table. Good cinematography by Claudio Miranda, Tom Cruise is horrendous.
This movie was a total waste! one of the weirdest movies. Not good at all would recommend you watch something better!
Oblivion was definitely well made but the story seemed to just sputter out somewhere around 60 minutes in. I was completely engaged and interested as we learned about this repair crew who had the left overs of earth to themselves. They could have ran with that single idea for 2 hours and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have complained. All is not lost though, visually, Oblivion was a blast and M83 did a great job with the soundtrack. If you like science fiction movies you should probably add this to your watch list but don't expect too much. Overall, you'll probably be disappointed.
I guess I am the rare viewer who enjoyed this movie. But I tend to cut some slack for sci-if movies. I don’t carefully parse out the special effects or pull out a book on physics to make sure every detail is kosher. As long as I am entertained, the plot doesn’t insult my intelligence, and the dialogue is realistic and if possible witty, I am in for the duration. Early in the movie I thought I spotted a rather large plot hole and I thought, Oh-oh, but I waded through it. Then later I was pleasantly surprised to find they had subtly explained what I had thought was a mistake, and it wasn’t. Perhaps this wasn’t just a space opera with romance and action. I had to pay attention. I wouldn’t call it a cerebral sci-fi movie, but I am glad I stuck with it.
Love this movie! There seams to be material for much more than just the one, but maybe it's just that feeling after a good movie that it ended too soon. I watch movies to be entertained, and I don't care too much about realism especially in SciFi movies, maybe that's why I enjoy watching Oblivion again and again.
Oblivion was a decent watch. It had an interesting concept at first, but as the layers began to unfold, it felt bloated and contrived. It was as if the writers were adding fake depth to story that was very surface level. Performances were pretty bad too, Tom Cruise felt out of place in a sci-fi film, and none of the other actors worked for me. There is some gorgeous cinematography and an absolutely masterful score that helps raise the score bit. I really enjoyed the more quiet moments that were just Cruise and the world, one in particular was the scenes of him at his cabin on the lake. Overall, I was a bit disappointed based on what this film could have been. For Sci-Fi lovers, this might be worth a watch but don't expect greatness. Score: 55% Verdict: Decent
A bit of a corny movie with quite a simplistic resolution and soppy ending. But it's Tom Cruse, It's Sci-fi and it looks cool so what more do you need?
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
