Serenity (2005)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:172
Fresh:139
Rotten:33
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: Snappy dialogue and goofy characters make this Wild Wild West soap opera in space fun and adventurous.
Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:07-10-2005
Synopsis: Beloved television cult director Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL) makes a spectacular first foray onto the big screen with SERENITY, the cinematic adaptation of his wildly popular but... Beloved television cult director Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL) makes a spectacular first foray onto the big screen with SERENITY, the cinematic adaptation of his wildly popular but short-lived sci-fi series, FIREFLY. A mix of space western, comedy, and drama, SERENITY follows captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his ragtag crew as they trade their way around the edges of civilized society. Of particular interest are two passengers they take on, Simon and River Tam (Sean Maher, Summer Glau), a brother and his telepathic sister on the run from the corrupt governing Alliance. As notorious former members of the anti-Alliance opposition, Mal and his crew make it difficult for Simon and River to stay hidden. Everything goes completely awry when a government assassin is sent to retrieve River. As Mal is forced to choose between his close-knit crew and the brother and sister newcomers, it becomes apparent that River harbors both a dangerous secret and astounding fighting powers, and Mal decides that discovering the truth about what she knows might just be worth his time. Many of the film's action sequences revolve around Summer Glau's martial arts skills in her portrayal of River. Glau prepared for her role with Hong Kong stuntwoman Ming Lu, as well as stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and Hiro Koda, and as a resulted performed nearly all the stuntwork herself. In addition to the stellar stunts, realistic graphics, and an often haunting score, the film's actors display a rare chemistry that brings viewers both into their lives and into a possible version of humanity's future. [More]
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Ron Glass, Chjwetel Ejiofor, David Krumholtz, Michael Hitchcock, Sarah Paulson
Director: Joss Whedon
Director: Joss Whedon
Screenwriter: Joss Whedon
Composer: David Newman
Studio: Universal Pictures
Reviews for Serenity
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The settings and tone are hyper-real, yet the human behaviour is grounded and credible, the moral conflicts complex and involving. Shiny, intelligent fun. Full Review |
|||
|
If you’re a novice, this is a plucky introduction to Whedon’s world and the most fun sci-fi of the year. If you’re a devotee, this is the magnificent return you’ve been praying for. Full Review |
|||
|
You don't have to have seen the show to enjoy the film (although we do recommend you go out and buy the DVD set of Firefly because it's bogglingly good). Full Review |
|||
|
A gently intelligent action sci-fi with wit, drama, and emotion to spare, this is the blockbuster you've been waiting for all year. Full Review |
|||
|
Effectively a Western in space, Serenity is a thoroughly entertaining, smartly written, beautifully acted, rip-roaring action-adventure movie, that will appeal to both Firefly fans and newcomers alike. Full Review |
|||
|
Serenity blasts George Lucass recent prequels into the ether thanks to some rip-roaring action scenes and a knack of not taking itself too seriously. Full Review |
|||
|
One of the most satisfying action movies in a long, long time. Full Review |
|||
|
Click to read the article Full Review |
|||
|
N/R
|
Click to read the article Full Review |
||
|
For what it is -- viewed as filmmaking in and of itself -- Serenity is tense and smoothly put together. Full Review |
|||
|
A magnificent closer to the series, and Whedon shows how much love he has for his fans by giving us a quality finisher... Full Review |
|||
|
Joss Whedon makes a rousing feature-directing debut, exploiting the cult status of his short-lived series Firefly to continue it on the big screen. Full Review |
|||
|
Firefly finally has the triumphant finale fans longed for: the excitingly tense, often surprising and even more frequently comical Serenity. Fans will rejoice. Full Review |
|||
|
In the context of an action cinema driven by false hope, misogyny and sadism, Serenity is an inspiring respite. Full Review |
|||
|
The movie is a sci-fi buccaneer swashbuckler; Whedon hits all the obligatory space-opera notes, and he does it with a degree of verbal wit and agile pacing that could teach George Lucas a thing or two. Full Review |
|||
|
Go out and see Joss Whedon’s witty whizbang of an action movie, or we will kill a kitten. Full Review |
|||
|
Has a simultaneously sprawling yet intimate quality. Full Review |
|||
|
I personally didn’t care when anyone died, I was bored for most of the way, wasn’t impressed by its few action scenes. Full Review |
|||
|
It has everything the TV series possessed, but also manages to elevate the tension to the next level. Full Review |
|||
|
Any fan of Sci-Fi should enjoy this one. It's a bit too gory for the little people,but older kids and the parents, should have a blast. Full Review |
Latest News for Serenity
July 01, 2008:
Edinburgh 2008: What to Watch
We share twenty of the best films screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, currently running in the Scottish city. More...
August 21, 2007:
RT on DVD: The Lives of Others, RoboCop 20th Anniversary, and More Out Today
It's Tuesday, and you know what that means. New DVD releases! This week we have 2007's Best Foreign Oscar winner The Lives of Others, a Serenity Collector's Edition, and other... More...
February 05, 2007:
Whedon Walks On "Wonder Woman"
Just before the weekend we learned that Warner Bros. had commissioned a second "Wonder Woman" screenplay, and now we now why: Fan favorite filmmaker Joss Whedon is... More...
October 06, 2006:
Whedon Confirms It: No "Serenity" Sequels
Fanboy favorite Joss Whedon has given his supporters a whole bunch of fun stuff over the years, but it certainly looks like his "Firefly" & "Serenity"... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.







