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Poster for Balloon

Balloon

Seen it?

2018 | 125 min | Thriller, Drama, History

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved September 5 or Everest, start here.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 5 min.
What might put you off
It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Two families attempt a daredevil plan to escape the GDR with a homemade hot air balloon, but it crashes just before the border. The Stasi finds traces of this attempt to escape and immediately starts investigations, while the two families are forced to build a new escape balloon. With each passing day the Stasi is closer on their heels – a nerve-wracking race against time begins.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $12 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 30K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Herbig

  • Karoline SchuchDoris Strelzyk
  • Friedrich MückePeter Strelzyk
  • Alicia von RittbergPetra Wetzel
  • David KrossGünter Wetzel
  • Jonas HoldenriederFrank Strelzyk
  • Tilman DöblerAndreas 'Fitscher' Strelzyk
  • Thomas KretschmannLieutenant Colonel Seidel
  • Ronald KukuliesErik Baumann
  • Emily KuscheKlara Baumann
  • Ulrich BrandhoffLieutenant Colonel Tornow