Fish Tank
Performance & Direction: Fish Tank Review
Last updated: February 19, 2026
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 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?
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
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Andrea Arnold, 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 involving Katie Jarvis, 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 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.
