---
title: "Fish Tank"
year: 2009
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/fish-tank"
fi1m_id: "fish-tank"
imdb_id: "tt1232776"
tmdb_id: 24469
wikidata_id: "Q557596"
fi1m_score: 85
critics_score: 81
critics_reviews: 18
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:00.642579+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Fish Tank (2009)

Directed by Andrea Arnold · 2h 03m · MPA NR · Drama

## Identity

Fish Tank

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/fish-tank
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** fish-tank
- **IMDb ID:** tt1232776
- **TMDB ID:** 24469
- **Wikidata ID:** Q557596
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232776/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/24469, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q557596

**Fi1m score: 85** · Critics 81 from 18 reviews

*In a sentence:* The teenager wants to dance; we would settle for one sensible adult

> Andrea Arnold’s teenage drama is tense, compassionate and carried by Katie Jarvis’s unforced performance. The writing sometimes makes Mia’s troubles too pointed, but the dance scenes and fraught encounters with Michael Fassbender make this worth the discomfort.

## Synopsis

Mia Williams (Katie Jarvis) is a teenager on an Essex estate, growing up amid family arguments and neglect. Abrasive and restless, she dances and tries to understand the attention she receives from adults. Her encounters with Connor O’Reily (Michael Fassbender) bring attraction into a life in which she has little help making sense of her feelings. Dance gives her a way to express herself outside the confrontations of everyday life. Andrea Arnold’s drama follows Mia through cramped domestic surroundings and stretches of countryside as she begins to recognise what adults want and considers what she wants for herself.

## Review

Andrea Arnold’s *Fish Tank* is a tough, moving drama that understands how much a teenager can conceal by being difficult. Katie Jarvis plays Mia Williams, growing up on an Essex estate among adults whose attention is not always something to welcome. We recommend it warmly, despite writing that occasionally works too hard to make her circumstances worse. Arnold writes and directs with a closeness to Mia that makes even her least appealing behaviour worth watching.

Jarvis is especially good at letting embarrassment and defiance coexist. The dance scenes moved us more than we expected. Jarvis makes Mia’s effort look so personal that judging her ability feels beside the point, and the awkwardness gives those scenes their ache. Arnold allows her to want something without promising that wanting it will be enough, and Jarvis makes that desire convincing without asking for our sympathy.

Michael Fassbender’s Connor O’Reily gives the film a different sort of tension. His scenes with Jarvis are charged because adult attention can feel flattering before its dangers are understood, and Arnold is alert to the confusion that creates. Fassbender makes those exchanges unsettling without treating every moment as a warning. Kierston Wareing, as Joanne Williams, contributes to family scenes in which affection and hostility can be hard to distinguish.

Robbie Ryan’s cinematography keeps us close enough to Mia to notice the uncertainty beneath her aggression. The cramped estate feels inhabited, with people who demand attention even when they are behaving badly. Helen Scott’s production design supports that intimacy, giving the domestic scenes a convincing sense of restricted space. The stretches of countryside offer a welcome change of scale, but Arnold does not suddenly turn the film into a promise of escape.

Phonso Martin is credited for music, and the dance scenes are where the film’s use of music matters most. They let Mia occupy our attention without having to provoke somebody first. Nicolas Chaudeurge’s editing gives Jarvis welcome room, but is less successful at keeping the drama from labouring its point. At 123 minutes, the film could lose some of its insistence without losing its closeness to her.

Arnold’s writing is most convincing when the relationships are allowed to stay untidy. When she makes Mia’s difficulties accumulate so deliberately, the girl begins to seem less free to surprise us. That is a familiar risk for social-realist drama, and the film does not entirely avoid it. Jarvis keeps the frustration manageable, because her awkwardness and vulnerability make more persuasive sense than some of the plotting.

Allow for a difficult evening, and for a film that sometimes takes too long to say something we have understood. There is enough tenderness here to keep the experience from becoming punishing. We recommend it to anyone willing to give Mia more patience than she is likely to give them.

*Fi1m score 85, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The consensus is strongly positive, with praise centred on Andrea Arnold’s intimate direction and Katie Jarvis’s naturalistic performance as Mia. Most critics find Jarvis convincing in both the teenager’s aggression and her vulnerability, while Michael Fassbender also draws favourable notice. The reviews praise the film’s vivid estate setting, tense relationships and attention to adolescent desire. Many see tenderness and hope in its social realism, crediting Arnold with avoiding easy judgements about characters living with poverty and neglect.

Reservations concern the writing more than the performances: some critics find the symbolism obvious, the plotting contrived or the running time overlong. The AV Club admires Jarvis but argues that symbolic and archetypal elements make the situation sadder than necessary. The New Yorker offers the clearest dissent, questioning the psychological credibility of the scenes while still finding value in Jarvis’s quieter moments. The spread is largely between enthusiasm and qualified approval, rather than outright rejection.

## Straight answers

**Is Fish Tank worth watching?**

*Fish Tank* is worth watching for anyone prepared for a tough, closely observed drama about a teenager with no sensible adult to turn to, and we scored it 85. Katie Jarvis is unforced and Michael Fassbender's scenes with her are properly unsettling. The writing sometimes piles on Mia's troubles too deliberately, and at 123 minutes it labours its point.

**How long is Fish Tank, and what is it rated?**

*Fish Tank* runs 2h 03m and is rated NR by the MPA in the US. It is a drama film.

**Where can I watch Fish Tank in the US?**

*Fish Tank* is streaming on Tubi in the US. It leaves Tubi on 6 October. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Fish Tank, and is it suitable for children?**

*Fish Tank* is a UK 15 and is not suitable for children. There is little in the way of physical violence, but the film is built around family hostility and an adult man's attention to a teenage girl, which Arnold handles with care but does not soften. Older teenagers may find it close to home; the squeamish will find it uncomfortable rather than frightening.

**How does Fish Tank compare to Wadjda?**

*Fish Tank* and [*Wadjda*](https://film.one/film/wadjda) both follow a girl who wants one thing and tests the adults around her to get it, but *Fish Tank* is the harder and more uncomfortable of the two. Arnold's Essex estate is tense and untidy, while al-Mansour's Saudi story is plainer and funnier, with adults drawn more simply. Choose *Fish Tank* for intensity, *Wadjda* for warmth.

**What should I watch after Fish Tank?**

After *Fish Tank*, try [*Rosetta*](https://film.one/film/rosetta) (1999, Fi1m 82): Another angry young woman whose stubbornness makes easy sympathy impossible. Then [*Wadjda*](https://film.one/film/wadjda) (2012, Fi1m 80): A determined girl tests adult rules through one modest, fiercely held ambition.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (5/5): The review hails the film as a brilliantly and sensitively made work that buzzes with life and offers its own distinctive take on British social realism. Arnold is praised for her intimate, poetic approach to character and grey-area drama, avoiding easy judgements. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/fish-tank)
- **Slant Magazine**, Lauren Wissot (90/100, inferred): The review lauds Arnold's precise, concise filmmaking style that allows the visceral atmosphere to emerge organically and highlights Katie Jarvis's terrific awkward ease as the simmering rebel Mia. It singles out the honest, heartbreaking dance scenes and the nuanced portrayal of dysfunctional family dynamics and adolescent seduction. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/fish-tank/)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (90/100, inferred): The film is a tough and brilliant second feature that conveys the contradictions of adolescence with authenticity and force through fine-grained realism. It highlights the astonishing performance of nonprofessional actress Katie Jarvis as the trapped yet resilient protagonist Mia. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/movies/15fish.html)
- **Total Film**, Jonathan Dean (90/100, inferred): The review highlights the raw, tense filmmaking and exceptional scenes that convey bottled-up emotions, with standout work from Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender. Arnold cements her reputation as a serious director with the best British film of the year. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/fish-tank-review/)
- **Empire**, Philip Wilding (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it an unlikely heartbreaker and vivid portrayal of life at society's margins, driven by searing central performances especially from newcomer Katie Jarvis. The central duo's fraught dynamic and the film's mix of cramped estates and countryside make for compelling viewing. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/fish-tank-review/)
- **Evening Standard** (4/5): The review praises the electrifying central scenes between Mia and Connor and the bold, vulnerable performance by Katie Jarvis, but finds the film overall frustrating with predictable set-pieces and a portentous final act. It concludes it is a four-star treatise on deprivation that the comfortably-off will applaud, though a missed opportunity. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/poverty-turns-to-poetry-in-fish-tank-7416522.html)
- **Film Comment**, Kristin M. Jones (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the film pitilessly plausible and lingering in the memory, painting a complex and deeply sad picture of teenage and adult desire and mothers failing their daughters. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/review-fish-tank-andrea-arnold/)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (4/4/4): The critic finds Arnold's second feature an engrossing and brilliantly made British drama that places her among the top current British filmmakers. The naturalistic performances, especially from newcomer Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender, are singled out for praise, though a subplot is noted as extraneous. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/fish-tank)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (80/100, inferred): Arnold’s exceptionally well-crafted drama offers a precisely rendered, vérité-style look at a teenager forced to grow up too fast amid poverty and neglect. The nonprofessional lead Katie Jarvis delivers an achingly real performance that makes Mia’s world feel tangible and spied-upon. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-29-la-et-fishtank29-2010jan29-story.html)
- **Screen Daily** (80/100, inferred): Arnold confidently handles the difficult second feature, confirming her status in social realist traditions with multi-layered characters and naturalistic dialogue. The poetic moments in bleak lives and strong newcomer performance are highlighted, though the film is noted as overlong. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/features/fish-tank-/5001100.article)
- **The Independent** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a convincing and powerful portrait of life on an Essex estate, with a terrific lead performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis as the complex, abrasive Mia. While uneven and somewhat familiar in its social realism, it benefits from Arnold's steely direction and ability to make the setting almost soulful. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/fish-tank-andrea-arnold-124-mins-15-1786335.html)
- **The AV Club**, Noel Murray (B-): The review commends Arnold for eliciting a remarkably natural performance from first-timer Katie Jarvis and for sensitively exploring a teen's awareness of her sexual power and adult cues. It criticizes the film for rigging the plot with overly symbolic and archetypal elements that make the situation sadder than necessary. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/fish-tank-1798164139)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (50/100, inferred): The film constructs scenes with superficial psychological coherence that defies reality and lacks a sense of becoming or transitional states. It nevertheless has virtues in the lead performance of Katie Jarvis, who excels particularly in repose. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/something-fishy)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw: The critic praises the film's mastery of social-realist drama and its fizzing life, tenderness and hope in place of cynicism about 'Broken Britain'. He singles out the terrific central performance by debutant Katie Jarvis and strong work from Michael Fassbender. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/sep/10/fish-tank-review)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**: The review praises Arnold for creating another vivid portrait of a disaffected teenager and highlights newcomer Katie Jarvis's star-making performance as the foul-mouthed, yearning Mia. It notes the film's power in depicting a grim council estate life and subtle family moments, despite one implausible episode. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/fish-tank-film-review-93141/)
- **Variety**, Leslie Felperin: Andrea Arnold’s sophomore feature delivers an unflinching, honest and unsentimental portrait of a sullen teenage girl in a rough Essex housing project. The assured direction and excellent performances make the grim story feel special despite its familiar setting. [Read](https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/fish-tank-1200474883/)
- **The Skinny**, James Campbell (5/5): The critic calls the film extraordinary, touching and melancholic, executing social-realist tropes with honest optimism and never resorting to sentimentality or cliché, making it unmissable. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/fish-tank)
- **Eye for Film**, Chris (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's overpowering momentum and realistic portrayal of a trapped teenager's life, highlighting its vibrant, gritty storytelling that avoids clichés. They single out the electrifying performance of newcomer Katie Jarvis. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/fish-tank-film-review-by-chris)
- **The Playlist**, Kimber Myers (B+): The film is smart, surprising, and a little sweet, with a focus on Mia's coming-of-age story beyond just the inappropriate relationship. The critic praises the raw, documentary-like performance of Katie Jarvis and Arnold's naturalistic direction with hope in humanity. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-andrea-arnolds-fish-tank-is-20100113/)
- **Digital Spy**, Mayer Nissim (75/100, inferred): The critic praises the exploration of complex human relationships and the skill of the lead performers, especially newcomer Katie Jarvis who elevates the film to something very special. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a176206/fish-tank/)
- **Paste**, Paste Staff (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a fulfilling look at British lower-class life and dysfunctional family dynamics through strong, naturalistic performances and verité style, but notes the writing often feels clunky and heavy-handed with obvious metaphors. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/andrea-arnold/fish-tank)

## Details

- **Director:** Andrea Arnold
- **Director:** Andrea Arnold
- **Writer:** Andrea Arnold
- **Cinematography:** Robbie Ryan
- **Editor:** Nicolas Chaudeurge
- **Music:** Phonso Martin
- **Production design:** Helen Scott
- **Costume design:** Jane Petrie
- **Producer:** Nick Laws, Kees Kasander
- **Cast:** Katie Jarvis as Mia Williams; Michael Fassbender as Connor O'Reily; Kierston Wareing as Joanne Williams; Rebecca Griffiths as Tyler Williams; Harry Treadaway as Billy; Jason Maza as Billy's Brother; Jack Gordon as Billy's Brother; Joanna Horton as Kelly
- **Runtime:** 2h 03m
- **Certificate (MPA):** NR
- **Release (the US):** 15 January 2010
- **Genres:** Drama
- **Budget:** $3 million
- **Box office:** $6 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf5VOvB5MHA

## Where to watch in the US

- Tubi: free, hd, leaving 2026-10-06

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AT, AU, BE, BG, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, IS, LT, NL, NZ, RS, SE, UA, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- BAFTA Film Awards 2010: Best British Film (won)
- European Film Award for Best Actress 2009: European Film Award for Best Actress (nominated)
- European Film Award for Best Director 2009: European Film Award for Best Director (nominated)
- European Film Award for Best Film 2009: European Film Award for Best Film (nominated)
- Jury Prize 2009: Jury Prize (won)
- Motovun Film Festival 2009: Motovun Film Festival (won)

## If you liked this

- *Rosetta* (1999), Fi1m 82: Another angry young woman whose stubbornness makes easy sympathy impossible. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/rosetta.md)
- *A Taste of Honey* (1961): A young woman faces desire and family conflict without much adult assistance.
- *Girlhood* (2014): Girls finding friendship and trouble, with music allowing a little freedom.
- *The Fits* (2015): A girl’s dance training becomes an unsettling study of belonging.
- *Wadjda* (2012), Fi1m 80: A determined girl tests adult rules through one modest, fiercely held ambition. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/wadjda.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/fish-tank