A Bigger Splash (2015)
Film · Drama, Thriller, Romance
Stream itif you enjoy high-tension character studies set against a lush, sun-drenched Mediterranean backdrop.
A sun-drenched, erotic thriller that simmers with mounting psychological pressure and excellent performances from its A-list cast. It is a sophisticated and stylish slow-burn, ideal for viewers who enjoy watching complex relationships unravel in beautiful locations.
What it is about
An American couple, Paul and Marianne, spend their vacation in Italy and experience trouble when Marianne invites a former lover and his teenage daughter to visit, which leads to jealousy and dangerous sexual scenarios.
Trailer
What A Bigger Splash is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like a slow, humid afternoon that gradually becomes stifling. The pacing is deliberate, prioritising the tactile atmosphere of Pantelleria and the shifting power dynamics between four people. It balances a laid-back, holiday aesthetic with a persistent undercurrent of erotic friction and buried resentment. The intensity grows not through action, but through lingering glances, invasive physical presence, and the sheer, restless energy of a guest who refuses to respect boundaries.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is for viewers who appreciate sophisticated dramas where dialogue is secondary to body language and subtext. It will appeal to fans of stylish European cinema and those who find Tilda Swinton’s silent magnetism compelling. However, you should skip it if you require a fast-moving plot or a traditional thriller structure. One honest caveat is that the arrival of a secondary police procedural element in the final act feels jarringly different from the preceding psychological simmer.
The right evening for it
It is perfect for a warm evening when you want to feel transported to the Italian coast. It suits a mood for something sensory, adult, and visually arresting that rewards close attention to performance.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · A BIGGER SPLASH - Official Trailer - Starring Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes And Dakota Johnson
How A Bigger Splash leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to feel slightly sun-dazed and unsettled. The film leaves a lingering sense of moral ambiguity and the uncomfortable heat of secrets that can no longer be contained.
How A Bigger Splash ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
Following Harry’s death in the pool, Paul admits his culpability to Marianne after they both lie to the police. As Pen prepares to fly out, she makes a pointed remark that causes Marianne to slap her. Pen boards the plane in tears, leaving Paul and Marianne to drive away together. The couple is soon pulled over by the investigating officer, but rather than arresting them, he reveals himself to be a fan and asks Marianne for an autograph.
The film closes on Paul and Marianne sharing their relief as they drive away, their role in Harry’s death apparently safe from the distracted police. While the immediate threat of arrest passes, the encounter at the airport leaves open the question of how much Pen truly witnessed, as her cryptic parting comment leaves Marianne visibly disturbed.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
More clips
Teaser · A Bigger Splash | Now on Digital HD | FOX Home Entertainment
Teaser · A BIGGER SPLASH - 20" TV Spot - Starring Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes And Dakota Johnson
Teaser · A BIGGER SPLASH - 30" TV Spot - Starring Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes And Dakota Johnson
A Bigger Splash soundtrack
A Bigger Splash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Various Artists · 2016 · 10 tracks
Listen on Apple Music- 1Beauty Is Only Skin Deep · Robert & Mitchum
- 2Black Silk Stocking · Chrisma
- 3Jump Into the Fire · Harry Nilsson
- 4Moon Is Up · The Rolling Stones
- 5Heaven · The Rolling Stones
- 6Falstaff, Act III; "Dal labbro il canto estasiato vola" · Daniil Shtoda, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Dorothea Röschmann, Adrianne Pieczonka, Larissa Diadkova & Stella Doufexis
- 7Okanagon · Ensemble Phoenix Basel
- 8Pranam II · Ensemble Phoenix Basel
- 9Aguirre I (L'acrime Di Rei) · Popol Vuh
- 10Emotional Rescue · St. Vincent
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Questions people ask
- Is A Bigger Splash a tense film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tense, with a romantic streak. A sun-drenched, erotic thriller that simmers with mounting psychological pressure and excellent performances from its A-list cast. It is a sophisticated and stylish slow-burn, ideal for viewers who enjoy watching complex relationships unravel in beautiful locations.
- How long is A Bigger Splash?
- A Bigger Splash runs 125 min and was released in 2015.
- Where can I watch A Bigger Splash in Australia?
- In Australia, A Bigger Splash is included with Netflix (all plans), Stan, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel.
- What songs are on the A Bigger Splash soundtrack?
- A Bigger Splash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) has 10 tracks, including “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” by Robert & Mitchum, “Black Silk Stocking” by Chrisma, “Jump Into the Fire” by Harry Nilsson, “Moon Is Up” by The Rolling Stones and “Heaven” by The Rolling Stones, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is A Bigger Splash worth watching?
- Stream it: if you enjoy high-tension character studies set against a lush, sun-drenched Mediterranean backdrop. IMDb users rate it 6.4 out of 10 from 36,377 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 89%, Metacritic 74 and TMDB users 6.1.
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