Serena

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Serena

R

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

11/10/2015

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

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

11/09/2015

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.

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Wesley Morris

Grantland

04/09/2015

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.

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

02/13/2024

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

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

06/21/2022

1/4

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

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

10/09/2021

1.5/5

Attempts but does not succeed.

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Timina B

@TBags Jun 14

Don’t waste your time

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Brenda L

@RT01918481 02/22/2025

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!

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IAmWhoIAm T

@RT84728469 02/16/2025

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.

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Linda B

@LindaB2041 01/08/2025

Disappointing film, but always like Bradley.

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 08/10/2024

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

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 08/10/2024

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.

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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