Leviathan
Leviathan Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: Leviathan
| Movie | Leviathan |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Director | Andrey Zvyagintsev |
| Genre | Drama / Crime |
| Runtime | 141 minutes (2h 21m) |
| Language | RU |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Leviathan (2014) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. 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 Leviathan are led by Aleksey Serebryakov . The supporting cast, including Elena Lyadova and Vladimir Vdovichenkov , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Leviathan 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, Leviathan 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: Leviathan
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2014, Leviathan is a Drama, Crime film directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, written by Oleg Negin. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Aleksey Serebryakov as Nikolay Sergeev.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend to help, but the man's arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family. The screenplay takes time to develop Aleksey Serebryakov'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 Aleksey Serebryakov as Nikolay Sergeev in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life. Andrey Zvyagintsev builds this foundation carefully, and at a lengthy 2h 21m runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Aleksey Serebryakov's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings Aleksey Serebryakov's arc to its natural conclusion. Andrey Zvyagintsev's direction provides adequate resolution, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Leviathan
Leviathan Ending Explained: Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, Leviathan resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. 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 Aleksey Serebryakov. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Leviathan reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Leviathan Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Leviathan Based on a True Story?
Leviathan draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a drama, crime film directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: Leviathan uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Leviathan?
Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Aleksey Serebryakov or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Leviathan
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $4.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Leviathan Budget
The estimated production budget for Leviathan is $4.0M. 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.
Where to Watch Leviathan Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Klassiki🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeLeviathan Parents Guide & Age Rating
2014 AdvisoryWondering about Leviathan age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Leviathan (2014) is 141 minutes (2h 21m). Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, the film runs for 141 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, Leviathan is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2014 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leviathan worth watching?
Leviathan is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Leviathan parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Leviathan identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Leviathan (2014)?
The runtime of Leviathan (2014) is 141 minutes (approximately 2h 21m).
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.
