Arrival (2016)
Denis Villeneuve's cerebral sci-fi masterpiece asks whether humanity can find common ground with the unknown before fear tears the world apart.
Arrival - Movie Information
- Original Title: Arrival
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Mystery
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin, English, Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 10, 2016 (Australia - M), November 11, 2016 (United States - PG-13), November 11, 2016 (Canada - PG), November 10, 2016 (United Kingdom - 12A), November 24, 2016 (Germany - 12), December 7, 2016 (France - TP), November 25, 2016 (India - UA), November 10, 2016 (New Zealand - M), November 24, 2016 (Brazil - 10), November 11, 2016 (Mexico), January 19, 2017 (Italy - T), November 18, 2016 (Spain - 7), February 2, 2017 (South Korea - 12), January 20, 2017 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Ժամանում (AM), Story of Your Life (US), Прибуття (UA), Ha'mifgash (IL), 컨택트 (KR), Arrival - Warum sind sie hier? (DE), メッセージ：2016 (JP), A Chegada (BR)
- Production Companies: FilmNation Entertainment, Lava Bear Films, 21 Laps Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Arrival - Plot
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.
Arrival - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold as humanity faces its most extraordinary encounter:
Why are they here?
Where to Watch Arrival
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Arrival - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Denis Villeneuve
Main Cast
- Amy Adams
- Jeremy Renner
- Forest Whitaker
- Michael Stuhlbarg
- Mark O'Brien
- Tzi Ma
- Abigail Pniowsky
- Julia Scarlett Dan
- Jadyn Malone
- Frank Schorpion
Writers
- Eric Heisserer
Producers
- Dan Levine
- Shawn Levy
- David Linde
- Karen Lunder
- Aaron Ryder
Arrival - FAQs
What does the ending of Arrival actually mean?
The ending reveals that Louise Banks has been experiencing her future memories, not flashbacks. By learning the alien language, she gains a non-linear perception of time. She chooses to have her daughter Hannah despite knowing she will die young, embracing grief as an inseparable part of love and life.
Is Arrival based on a true story or a book?
Arrival is not based on a true story. It is adapted from Ted Chiang's acclaimed 1998 short story 'Story of Your Life,' which explores linguistics, time perception, and determinism. Screenwriter Eric Heisserer expanded the narrative significantly to create the film's geopolitical tension and emotional depth.
Where can you watch Arrival right now?
Arrival is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It can also be streamed for free through Kanopy and Hoopla, which are available via many public library memberships. Check JustWatch for the most current regional availability.
Who are the main actors in Arrival?
Arrival stars Amy Adams as linguist Louise Banks, Jeremy Renner as theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly, and Forest Whitaker as Colonel Weber. Michael Stuhlbarg plays Agent Halpern, while Tzi Ma portrays General Shang. Adams delivers a widely praised performance that anchors the film's emotional and intellectual core.
What is Arrival (2016) about?
Arrival follows linguist Louise Banks, who is recruited by the military after twelve alien spacecraft appear worldwide. Working against a ticking clock, she attempts to decipher the aliens' complex language to determine their intentions. The film weaves together themes of communication, time, loss, and what it means to be human.
Did Arrival win any major awards?
Arrival received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Denis Villeneuve. It won the Oscar for Best Film Editing. The film also earned numerous critics' circle awards and is widely considered one of the finest science fiction films of the 2010s.
What is the age rating for Arrival?
Arrival is rated PG-13 in the United States, making it suitable for most teenagers and adults. The rating reflects moderate thematic intensity, some military action, and emotionally heavy subject matter involving grief and loss. It contains no graphic violence or strong language that would warrant a stricter rating.
How long is Arrival and who directed it?
Arrival runs for 1 hour and 56 minutes and was directed by Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed Canadian filmmaker behind Sicario, Blade Runner 2049, and Dune. Villeneuve brings a meditative, visually precise approach to the story, earning widespread praise for crafting one of the most intelligent sci-fi films in recent memory.
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