Submarine

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Submarine

R,

2011,

1h 37m,

Comedy/

Drama

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Watchlist

88%

155 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together. His father (Noah Taylor), a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing Oliver's mother (Sally Hawkins) from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru (Paddy Considine) from down the road.

Critics Consensus

Funny, stylish, and ringing with adolescent truth, Submarine marks Richard Ayoade as a talent to watch.

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Leila Moore

New Statesman

Jul 26, 2023

The twee Tumblr-grunge aesthetic of the 2010s is not something I look back on with nostalgia, but Submarine situates itself in this aesthetic without becoming subsumed by it. As its title suggests, the story is satisfyingly contained.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

The beauty of Submarine is all in the details, particularly the script's wry observations, which can be excruciating.

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Nicolas Rapold

Film Comment Magazine

Jul 1, 2013

The movie's conception of the tender agonies and embarrassments of would-be teenage lovers is hobbled by punchline cuts and predictable musical montages (carefree dashes, setting off bottle rockets, etc.).

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Belen Prieto

Espinof

May 11, 2026

5/5

...an awkward, brilliant and rather melancholic comedy about how badly things are interpreted in adolescence: love, family and even ourselves. [Full review in Spanish]

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Feb 17, 2026

5/5

This coming-of-age comedy-drama authentically captures the feel of 1980s British school life, but its story of first love and the awkward transition to adulthood is universal.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Sep 6, 2025

The formative moments of Oliver’s coming of age fly past in a nearly 90-minute montage of memories, hypotheticals, and swooping handheld cinematography.

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Finn L

Mar 18, 2019

New director/writer Richard Ayoade has talent in filmmaking, with Submarine being visually attractive, funny, and heartfelt.

Poe M

May 30, 2018

A soft, velvet coming-of-age story like no other. Both protagonists are comfortably awkward, and undeniably relatable. There are no embellishments, no exaggerations, no nonsense when it comes to Oliver and Jordana; quintessentially normal British teenagers, familiar to us all, from their inability to manage emotions and tricky situations, to their confused nature of overthinking. The stunning backdrop adds an element of tranquillity and isolation, heightening the glimmers of beauty that shine through this film, whilst the playfully melancholy soundtrack by Alex Turner pushes forward the indie, youthful tone the so prominent throughout. Overall, Submarine is one of those gems that although simple and straightforward, illuminates and radiates wisdom and awareness of the difficult years of adolescence.

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Ron S

Apr 10, 2018

I absolutely loved this film, I only watched because I heard Alex turner did the music but I was absolutely shocked at how amazing it was it's now one of my new favourite films

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Leia W

Feb 14, 2018

Brilliant, funny, peculiar.... I love it.

Luke M

Feb 5, 2018

I'd put off watching this for a long time as I find Ayoade such a Marmite person on screen, I really shouldn't have because I found it brilliant from start to finish so perhaps behind the camera is his real future. It's so funny, effortlessly so in many ways, yet also manages to move you and keep you invested in the plot. Performances across the board are brilliant from the central young duo but also the supporting cast are brilliant from the likes of Hawkins, Considine and Taylor. I honestly can't recommend this film enough, excellent.

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George W

Sep 1, 2017

An amazing movie that captures what it's like to be A teenager perfectly, it's style of comedy is so funny and so rich it's completely refreshing, the directing and the acting is stellar, it's just an all around great movie and the directors best, and I loved The Double.

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Richard Ayoade

Director

Craig Roberts

Oliver Tate

Yasmin Paige

Jordana

Noah Taylor

Lloyd

Paddy Considine

Graham

Sally Hawkins

Jill

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Synopsis

Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together. His father (Noah Taylor), a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing Oliver's mother (Sally Hawkins) from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru (Paddy Considine) from down the road.

Director: Richard Ayoade
Screenwriter: Richard Ayoade
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Warp Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 6, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $466.7K
Runtime: 1h 37m

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