Serena

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Serena

R

Released Mar 27, 2015

1h 49m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

17%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

24%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In Depression-era North Carolina, the barren wife (Jennifer Lawrence) of an ambitious timber baron (Bradley Cooper) sets out to murder the woman who bore her husband an illegitimate son.

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Critics Consensus

Serena unites an impressive array of talent on either side of the cameras -- then leaves viewers to wonder how it all went so wrong.

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Alison Willmore

BuzzFeed News

It's an odd misfire from two actors at the peak of their game, but a misfire nonetheless.

Nov 10, 2015

Full Review

Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

Considering how well Cooper and Lawrence meshed in Silver Linings Playbook, Serena's inert central dynamic underlines the fact that chemistry is as much a byproduct of directorial stewardship as it is of actors' natural chemistry.

Nov 9, 2015

Full Review

Wesley Morris

Grantland

Absolutely nothing works. No one seems to understand the place or the people. And the only thing gleaned from the lumber industry is that you can build an entire movie from performances made of wood.

Apr 9, 2015

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Nothing here exactly works. . . but I vastly prefer this film to Lawrence and Cooper's other collaborations.

Feb 13, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lawrence and Cooper seem to be asleep in their roles, as disinterested as we are.

Rated: 1/4

Jun 21, 2022

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

Attempts but does not succeed.

Rated: 1.5/5

Oct 9, 2021

Full Review

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Timina B

Don’t waste your time

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

Full Review

Brenda L

This is a spectacular movie. The reviewers and critics who felt there was no “chemistry” between Brad and Jennifer missed the fact that these two great actors portrayed two people who were exceptional in their mutual ambition rather than true and abiding love. The plot was deep and brilliant. A 5 star movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I usually love both Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. This movie however, was disappointing. There was zero chemistry between these two actors, and the movie just didn't capture the intensity of the content. Neither JL or BC were convincing in their roles imo.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Linda B

Disappointing film, but always like Bradley.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

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Munkhchimeg T

Jennifer Lawrence is the best all the best. Not hesitate and never disappoint us. Very good movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

Full Review

Bahad j

I am very happy that the movie shows us the steps and choices that are necessary in the life of a great person. I like the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

Full Review

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Susanne Bier

Director

Jennifer Lawrence

Serena Pemberton

Bradley Cooper

George Pemberton

Toby Jones

Sheriff McDowell

Rhys Ifans

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David Dencik

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Synopsis

In Depression-era North Carolina, the barren wife (Jennifer Lawrence) of an ambitious timber baron (Bradley Cooper) sets out to murder the woman who bore her husband an illegitimate son.

Director: Susanne Bier
Producer: Nick Wechsler, Susanne Bier, Steve Schwartz, Paula Mae Schwartz, Todd Wagner, Ron Halpern, Ben Cosgrove
Screenwriter: Christopher Kyle
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Nick Wechsler, Chockstone Pictures
Rating: R (Some Violence|Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $176.3K
Runtime: 1h 49m

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