Arrival (2016)

Arrival rating: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic

IMDb7.9/10· 852K votes

Rotten Tomatoes94%

Metacritic81%

TMDb7.626/10· 19K votes

With 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by 7.9/10 on IMDb and 81/100 on Metacritic, critical reception of this film has been very positive.

About Arrival

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

Cast of Arrival

• 

  Amy Adams

  as Louise Banks

• 

  Jeremy Renner

  as Ian Donnelly

• 

  Forest Whitaker

  as Colonel Weber

• 

  Michael Stuhlbarg

  as Agent Halpern

• 

  Mark O'Brien

  as Captain Marks

• 

  Tzi Ma

  as General Shang

• 

  Abigail Pniowsky

  as 8-Year-Old Hannah

• 

  Julia Scarlett Dan

  as 12-Year-Old Hannah

• 

  Jadyn Malone

  as 6-Year-Old Hannah

• 

  Frank Schorpion

  as Dr. Kettler

• 

  Lucas Chartier-Dessert

  as Private Lasky

• 

  Christian Jadah

  as Private Combs

Arrival facts

Budget

$47M

Box office

$203.4M

Our take on Arrival

Denis Villeneuve's 2016 film blends drama, mystery and science fiction into something unusually patient and cerebral. After alien craft settle around the globe, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to work out whether the visitors come in peace or pose a threat. Rather than lean on action, the story turns communication itself into its central puzzle, letting dread and wonder build through quiet, methodical scenes. Villeneuve's controlled mood and emphasis on language over spectacle make it a rewarding choice for viewers who want their science fiction thoughtful and emotionally grounded. If you prefer ideas and atmosphere to firefights, this is a first-contact story worth sitting with.