Serena
Performance & Direction: Serena Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Serena (2014) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. 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 Serena features a noteworthy lineup led by Bradley Cooper . Supported by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Rhys Ifans , 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: Serena
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2014, Serena is a Drama film directed by Susanne Bier. 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 Bradley Cooper.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. North Carolina mountains at the end of the 1920s – George and Serena Pemberton, love-struck newly-weds, begin to build a timber empire. Serena soon proves herself to be equal to any man: overseeing loggers, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving a man’s life in the wilderness. With power and influence now in their hands, the Pembertons refuse to let anyone stand in the way of their inflated love and ambitions. However, once Serena discovers George’s hidden past and faces an unchangeable fate of her own, the Pemberton’s passionate marriage begins to unravel leading toward a dramatic reckoning. The screenplay takes time to develop Bradley Cooper'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: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- 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: Serena
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Susanne Bier, Serena attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Bradley Cooper, 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 Serena reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Serena?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Serena
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $30.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $5.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Serena Budget
The estimated production budget for Serena is $30.0M. 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: Serena
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Where to Watch Serena Online?
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2014 AdvisoryWondering about Serena age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Serena is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, Serena is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2014 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Serena worth watching?
Serena is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Serena parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Serena identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Serena?
The total duration of Serena is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.
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Critic Reviews for Serena
**_Tragic tale of a timber baron and his new wife in North Carolina, 1929-1930_** As The Depression sets-in, Pemberton (Bradley Cooper) brings his wife to his logging ranch in the Smokey Mountains (Jennifer Lawrence) and she has no problem proving her mettle with the guys. She settles in, but treachery soon manifests. Shot in the spring of 2012, "Serena” wasn’t released until 2.5 years later in 2014-2015. It was inspired by the 2008 novel, but is different enough that the two have to be viewed as separate entities in order to appreciate the movie. Here, Serena is mentally unstable and vulnerable underneath her surface strengths whilst, in the book, she is strong and in control until the very last line. She often wears dresses and looks glammed-up whereas the novel makes it a point that she dresses like a man, always wearing trousers. Moreover, Pemberton is much nicer here. There are several other changes as well. As such, I’m reviewing this as a stand-alone story. It’s great for the first half with top-of-the-line locations and cinematography, as well as a compelling enough drama with occasional thrills, including crimes and corruption. It goes without saying that the period piece costumes and sets are superb. At the halfway point, however, it bogs down, turning melancholy and, then, relentlessly downbeat for the final act. Think “Revolutionary Road.” So, I understand the low ratings, but there’s still a lot of gems to mine from the heart-rending proceedings. For instance, the movie stresses the expectations of wedlock, such as total faithfulness and the sense of betrayal when one is (inevitably) let down. Furthermore, with a husband and wife, it’s assumed that an heir is forthcoming and, if that fails to manifest, it can change everything, real or imagined. Think of Hannah’s situation in the opening chapter of 1 Samuel. Lastly, Rhys Ifans’ Galloway is a fascinating character, a sigma male with mystical trappings and a whiff of danger. Too bad there wasn’t enough time to flesh him out more. It runs 1 hour, 49 minutes, and was shot in the Czech Republic at Barrandov Studios, Prague, with establishing shots done at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. GRADE: B-
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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.
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