Southland Tales
Southland Tales Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Southland Tales
| Movie | Southland Tales |
| Release Year | 2007 |
| Director | Richard Kelly |
| Genre | Science Fiction / Thriller / Comedy |
| Runtime | 145 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Southland Tales (2007) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Science Fiction.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Southland Tales are led by Dwayne Johnson . The supporting cast, including Seann William Scott and Sarah Michelle Gellar , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Southland Tales does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Science Fiction films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Southland Tales 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 Science Fiction fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Southland Tales
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2007, Southland Tales is a Science Fiction, Thriller, Comedy film directed by Richard Kelly. The narrative explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Dwayne Johnson.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now, an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner, a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Southland Tales
Southland Tales Ending Explained: Directed by Richard Kelly, Southland Tales attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core science fiction themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Dwayne Johnson. 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 science fiction themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Southland Tales reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Southland Tales?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Science Fiction films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Southland Tales
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $17.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $374.7K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Southland Tales Budget
The estimated production budget for Southland Tales is $17.0M. 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: Southland Tales
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Southland Tales Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeSouthland Tales Parents Guide & Age Rating
2007 AdvisoryWondering about Southland Tales age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Southland Tales is 145 minutes (2h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.2/10, and global performance metrics, Southland Tales is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2007 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southland Tales worth watching?
Southland Tales is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Southland Tales parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Southland Tales identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Southland Tales?
The total duration of Southland Tales is 145 minutes, which is approximately 2h 25m long.
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How Southland Tales Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Southland Tales
Saw this one many years ago and really didn't care much for it. Watching it again, now the 'Cannes Cut', I absolutely... hated it. A bit of a shame since I love Donnie Darko (the director's cut especially) and where that one managed to blend social commentary with end-of-the world science fiction pretty well, this one did not. In fact, it was a real mess. However the biggest issue, beyond being downright boring at times, where I liked the characters in Donnie Darko, here I really couldn't care less. I would compare Richard Kelly to someone like M. Night Shyamalan, but least he had a couple solid films after The Sixth Sense to hang his hat on, Kelley's films following Donnie Darko (including his third film, The Box), were just nonsensical pretentious messes. **1.5/5**
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.
