--- title: "Gravity" year: 2013 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/gravity" fi1m_id: "gravity" imdb_id: "tt1454468" tmdb_id: 49047 wikidata_id: "Q2579784" fi1m_score: 85 critics_score: 88 critics_reviews: 11 published: "2026-09-15" updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:37.205960+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." --- # Gravity (2013) Directed by Alfonso Cuarón · 1h 31m · MPA PG-13 · Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama ## Identity Gravity - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/gravity - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** gravity - **IMDb ID:** tt1454468 - **TMDB ID:** 49047 - **Wikidata ID:** Q2579784 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454468/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/49047, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2579784 **Fi1m score: 85** · Critics 88 from 11 reviews *In a sentence:* Ninety-one minutes in space, followed by a renewed affection for the carpet > Alfonso Cuarón makes being stranded in space frighteningly immediate, with Sandra Bullock giving the spectacle someone worth worrying about. The dialogue sometimes insists on feelings she has already made clear, but this is a gripping survival thriller. ## Synopsis Sandra Bullock plays Ryan Stone and George Clooney plays Matt Kowalski, astronauts facing a disaster in space. Far from safety, they have to contend with zero gravity and the practical demands of staying alive. Stone’s struggle brings fear, isolation and the question of how to keep going when help seems out of reach. Ed Harris provides the voice of Mission Control. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón from a screenplay he writes with Jonás Cuarón, the film follows their fight for survival. ## Review *Gravity* is a gripping survival thriller whose dialogue occasionally makes a simple situation sound more profound than it needs to. Alfonso Cuarón has enough to work with in the spectacle of people trying to move through space without coming to harm. The lack of a complicated plot is a sensible choice: the distance between a person and safety can provide all the drama required. He gives this problem his full attention for much of the film’s 91 minutes. Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography makes that distance frighteningly difficult to judge. The long opening take lets the camera travel around the astronauts without supplying a steady viewpoint from which to assess their danger. We were frightened by the loss of a reliable sense of up or down. The effects remain convincing through these changes of perspective, so there is little chance to dismiss the danger as something happening inside a computer. Editors Cuarón and Mark Sanger deserve credit for keeping those extended passages from feeling like demonstrations. The pace follows the difficulty of the task in front of the astronauts, allowing us to register effort before demanding the next alarm. Andy Nicholson’s production design helps us judge the distances involved, giving the astronauts’ movements a scale we can understand. The surroundings never become so busy that we lose sight of a body within them. Sandra Bullock, as Ryan Stone, makes the physical business convincing enough to keep the film personal. Her movements suggest effort rather than the weightless ease the images might encourage us to expect. George Clooney, playing Matt Kowalski, is welcome company, but we watch Bullock more closely. She lets fear interrupt Stone’s thinking without making her seem incapable of it, and that is enough to keep us concerned. The sound is just as important to the unease as the moving camera. Silence removes the usual reassurance of a busy soundtrack, and the shifts in sound draw us closer to the astronauts’ experience. Steven Price’s music is less persuasive when it presses for an emotional response that Bullock has already earned. At its most emphatic, it tells us how much to care. The screenplay, by Alfonso and Jonás Cuarón, has the same weakness. It wants us to think about faith and the will to live, and it sometimes talks too much to make certain that we do. The sentiment is sincere, but the dialogue can be clumsy about explaining what Stone’s survival might mean. A survival thriller can work with a simple character; it becomes less convincing when that character has to tell us what we should be feeling. See it on a large screen if possible, and in 3D if there is a choice. The extra depth helps make distance a problem we can feel, rather than a figure somebody has to explain. At home, a dark room and undivided attention will do more for it than any prior interest in space travel. Plan to leave the messages unanswered for a while. *Fi1m score 85, published 15 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics greet Gravity with strong enthusiasm, with praise clustering around its effects, Emmanuel Lubezki’s floating camerawork and the sustained tension of its survival story. The long takes and 3D draw repeated praise for making the physical disorientation of space palpable, while sound and silence help establish the astronauts’ isolation. The performances also earn broad approval, particularly Bullock’s combination of physical precision, fear and resilience, which many reviews credit with giving the spectacle human weight. The main division concerns how much the simple story offers beyond immediate danger. Many critics find emotional depth in its treatment of survival and endurance, but Time Out finds the feelings less persuasive than the visuals, and Vulture objects to predictable plotting and strained spirituality. The New Yorker is the sharp dissent, accepting the force of the physical sensations while finding the film boring and short of ideas; most reservations elsewhere stop well short of rejection. ## Straight answers **Is Gravity worth watching?** *Gravity* is worth watching for anyone who wants a survival thriller that is frightening, direct and over in 91 minutes, and we scored it 85. Sandra Bullock makes the struggle to stay alive personal, and Emmanuel Lubezki's roaming camera makes space feel dangerous. The dialogue sometimes explains feelings she has already shown, which is the one real weakness. **How long is Gravity, and what is it rated?** *Gravity* runs 1h 31m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is a science fiction and thriller film. **Where can I watch Gravity in the US?** *Gravity* is streaming on Paramount+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $4.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is Gravity, and is it suitable for children?** *Gravity* is a 12A, with no bloodshed to speak of but a sustained sense of peril that unsettled us. The fear comes from disorientation and isolation rather than violence, and the long, silent stretches may be too intense for younger children. Older children and teenagers who can sit through a tense film should manage it. **How does Gravity compare to Apollo 13?** *Gravity* is the more frightening film and [*Apollo 13*](https://film.one/film/apollo-13) the more reassuring one, though both are gripping accounts of people trying to survive in space. Cuarón strips the story to a single body and the distance between it and safety, while Ron Howard gives an ensemble room to solve problems. We think *Gravity* is the tighter of the two; *Apollo 13* suits viewers who prefer people talking their way out of trouble. **What should I watch after Gravity?** After *Gravity*, try [*Apollo 13*](https://film.one/film/apollo-13) (1995, Fi1m 84): More space peril, with the practical problem-solving given room to breathe. Then [*All Is Lost*](https://film.one/film/all-is-lost) (2013, Fi1m 82): One person, mounting danger and almost no dialogue to explain the fear; and [*The Wages of Fear*](https://film.one/film/the-wages-of-fear) (1953, Fi1m 90): A hazardous journey where small movements become almost unbearable to watch. ### Reviews we read (23) - **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (4/5/5): Cuarón’s space disaster movie is one of the year’s best, a majestically rendered parable on creation and overcoming depression. It excels visually with breathtaking sequence shots and a focus on reproduction imagery. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/gravity) - **Radio Times**, Damon Wise (5/5): The film combines nerve-shredding tension with technical perfection in an intimate sci-fi spectacular. Tremendous special effects and Bullock’s balletic performance complement Cuarón’s breathtaking vision. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-u70ubk/gravity/) - **The Guardian**, Mark Kermode (★★★★★): The film is a visually mesmerising, crowd-pleasing fairground ride that expands a single sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey into a full feature of eye-boggling invention. It singles out the level of sheer visual invention, aided by Framestore and Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography, for praise, while noting its stripped-down narrative and effective 3D experience. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/10/gravity-review) - **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (4/5): Gravity is one of the most awe-inspiring achievements in special-effects cinema, with astonishing beauty and originality in its untethered camera work. The emotional content cannot quite compete with the visuals. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/gravity) - **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (40/100, inferred): The review finds the film viscerally thrilling yet deadly boring, with impressive technology but an absence of ideas or deeper worldview. It excels at conveying the physical sensations of space but remains complacently conventional. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/generic-gravity) - **Empire**, Ian Nathan: The critic calls it the film of the year, a jaw-dropping technical achievement and existential thriller that puts viewers at the center of extreme jeopardy in space, praising the direction, effects, and performances. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/gravity-review/) - **Film Comment**, Scott Foundas: The review highlights Gravity's innovative use of silence and sound design to immerse viewers in the astronauts' experience, comparing its spectacle and technical illusion to early cinema pioneers like Méliès. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/review-gravity-alfonso-cuaron/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan: The critic highlights the film's powerful visual astonishment and immersive 3-D experience that makes viewers feel stranded in space. Strong performances by Bullock and Clooney support Cuarón's bravura long-take sequences. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-gravity-movie-review-20131004-story.html) - **Screen Daily**: Gravity is a genuinely tense and exciting lost-in-space thriller driven by strong performances and spectacular special effects. It sustains its simple concept as an audience pleaser despite some sentimentality. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/gravity/5059677.article) - **Sight and Sound**, Jonathan Romney: The film delivers an extraordinary technical achievement in 3D and immersive space visuals that make the viewer feel untethered. Dramatically it falls short, sacrificing substance for cliffhanger thrills. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-gravity) - **Slant Magazine**: Cuarón’s film is a benchmark and startling synthesis of outré and popular models through its clean elegant display of action choreography. The critic singles out the ambulatory cinematography, physics trajectories, and existential reckoning of deific presumptions amid silence for praise. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/gravity/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy: The film is a thrillingly realized survival story and benchmark in its field thanks to its dazzling technical execution. The critic singles out the astonishing 13-minute opening shot and exemplary 3D work for praise while noting its straightforward dramatic approach. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/gravity-venice-review-615139/) - **The Independent**: The critic praises Gravity as a personal, awe-inspiring survival story and technical marvel in 3D that outshines most blockbusters, highlighting the magical effects, long takes, and strong performances from Bullock and Clooney. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentplus/gravity-review-sandra-bullock-space-epic-makes-other-blockbusters-look-leaden-8931396.html) - **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (Critic's Pick): The critic praises the film's simple survival story and technical achievements in creating an immersive space experience. Cuarón succeeds in renewing awe for space travel through complex techniques tethered to straightforward narrative. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/movies/gravity-stars-sandra-bullock-and-george-clooney.html) - **Variety**: The review calls it a white-knuckle space odyssey that restores wonder and terror to the big screen through narrative simplicity and visual complexity. Cuarón's virtuoso direction creates robust thrills and deep human feeling in a nervy blockbuster experiment. [Read](https://variety.com/2013/film/global/gravity-review-venice-film-festival-1200589689/) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein: Gravity delivers awe-inspiring visuals and higher math in service of an old-fashioned spiritual theme but remains cornball and predictable in its narrative arc. The critic singles out the long sinuous opening shot and the fusion of faith and science for praise while wincing at some spiritual contortions. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2013/09/movie-review-alfonso-cuarons-gravity.html) - **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (5/5): The film is praised as a seamless visual conjuring trick with masterful long takes, convincing effects, and strong performances—particularly Bullock's—delivering both technical brilliance and genuine human warmth. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gravity-review-2/) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (A): The critic praises the film's immersive quality and technical achievements in service of a moving human story of survival and endurance. The technical bravura and emotional depth are singled out. [Read](https://collider.com/gravity-rmovie-review/) - **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (A): The review calls Gravity a visceral, tense experience and a technical marvel that is also cleverly written and phenomenally directed. It praises the film as a blockbuster with heart and soul. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-alfonso-cuarons-visceral-knuckle-chewing-gravity-starring-sandra-bullock-george-clooney-20131003/) - **/Film**, Laremy Legel (9/10): The critic hails Gravity as a technical marvel and optical treat with a taut script and strong performances, especially from Bullock. Minor logic and timeline issues are noted but do not detract from the overall cinematic achievement. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/527941/tiff-review-gravity-soars-above-the-rest/) - **The Wrap** (90/100, inferred): The film is a virtuoso technical achievement and a powerfully visceral experience offering a poetic portrait of hope and survival in space. Sandra Bullock carries the film with a balance of fear and resilience while Cuarón's inventive camerawork captures the physics and disorientation of zero gravity. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/gravity-review-thisll-scare-off-any-would-be-astronauts/) - **HeyUGuys**, Jo-Ann Titmarsh (4/5): The critic finds the film a thrilling and moving rollercoaster that will appeal to space enthusiasts and romantics. Bullock and Clooney excel in their roles as the astronauts facing disaster. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/gravity-review/) - **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds: It commends the technically breathtaking spectacle, unbroken takes, 3D effectiveness, and Bullock's career-best performance in a survival story emphasizing isolation and inner strength. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/bfi-london-film-festival/a521344/gravity-review-houston-sandra-bullock-has-a-problem-lff-2013/) ## Details - **Director:** Alfonso Cuarón - **Director:** Alfonso Cuarón - **Writer:** Jonás Cuarón, Alfonso Cuarón - **Cinematography:** Emmanuel Lubezki - **Editor:** Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger - **Music:** Steven Price - **Production design:** Andy Nicholson - **Costume design:** Jany Temime - **Producer:** Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman - **Cast:** Sandra Bullock as Ryan Stone; George Clooney as Matt Kowalski; Ed Harris as Mission Control (voice); Orto Ignatiussen as Aningaaq (voice); Paul Sharma as Shariff (voice); Amy Warren as Explorer Captain (voice); Basher Savage as Russian Space Station Captain (voice) - **Runtime:** 1h 31m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 4 October 2013 - **Genres:** Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama - **Also in:** [Best Picture winners](https://film.one/collections/oscar-best-picture.md) (Nominee, 2013); [BAFTA Best Film winners](https://film.one/collections/bafta-best-film.md) (Nominee, 2013); [Golden Globe Best Drama winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-drama.md) (Nominee, 2013) - **Budget:** $105 million - **Box office:** $723 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4 ## Where to watch in the US - Paramount+: streaming, hd - Apple TV: add-on, hd - Amazon Prime Video: add-on - The Roku Channel: add-on, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $4.99, hd - Apple TV: rent $5.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $4.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $7.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-15.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - AACTA International Award for Best Film 2014: AACTA International Award for Best Film (won) - Academy Awards 2014: Best Actress (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Production Design (nominated); Best Cinematography (won); Best Director (won); Best Film Editing (won); Best Original Score (won); Best Sound (won); Best Sound Editing (won); Best Visual Effects (won) - Empire Award for Best Film 2014: Empire Award for Best Film (won) - Hugo Awards 2014: Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form (won) - Saturn Awards 2014: Best Science Fiction Film (won) - Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film 2013: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film (won) ## If you liked this - *Apollo 13* (1995), Fi1m 84: More space peril, with the practical problem-solving given room to breathe. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/apollo-13.md) - *All Is Lost* (2013), Fi1m 82: One person, mounting danger and almost no dialogue to explain the fear. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/all-is-lost.md) - *The Wages of Fear* (1953), Fi1m 90: A hazardous journey where small movements become almost unbearable to watch. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-wages-of-fear.md) - *The Red Turtle* (2016), Fi1m 84: A quieter survival story that lets images carry its larger questions. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-red-turtle.md) - *The Ascent* (1977), Fi1m 88: A harsher survival ordeal, with spiritual questions given difficult human answers. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-ascent.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/gravity