Logo What's After the Movie

The Sea 2017

Runtime

86 min

Language

French

French

During a humanitarian crisis in 1979, a team of Israel's elite operatives undertakes a dangerous mission to rescue Ethiopian Jewish refugees trapped in war-torn Sudan. Facing difficult conditions and intense conflict, the team must overcome perilous terrain and confront the harsh realities of war while striving to ensure the safety of those they are trying to save. Their courage and empathy are pushed to the limit in this challenging and emotional operation.

During a humanitarian crisis in 1979, a team of Israel's elite operatives undertakes a dangerous mission to rescue Ethiopian Jewish refugees trapped in war-torn Sudan. Facing difficult conditions and intense conflict, the team must overcome perilous terrain and confront the harsh realities of war while striving to ensure the safety of those they are trying to save. Their courage and empathy are pushed to the limit in this challenging and emotional operation.

Does The Sea have end credit scenes?

No!

The Sea does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Sea

Explore the complete cast of The Sea, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Sea

See how The Sea is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Sea stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

63

The film presents a mixture of commendable craft and narrative limitations. It features strong performances and striking visual compositions, yet its adaptation struggles to capture the novel’s nuanced depth and often feels structurally uneven. Viewers noted engaging dramatic moments and effective emotional accessibility, contrasted by repetitive plot beats and a somewhat superficial exploration of key events. This balance of strengths and shortcomings yields a moderately favorable experience that remains engaging but seldom transcendent.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Sea

60
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film balances impressive cinematography with moments of visual restraint that reflect its reflective tone. Critics observed handsomely photographed sequences and careful control of framing, while viewers noted consistent production design that evokes period authenticity. However, some found the visual approach too muted compared to the source material’s vivid descriptions. Overall, the art direction offers solid craftsmanship that contributes to the film’s contemplative atmosphere without becoming overly stylized.

75
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

Regarding character and emotion, the performances anchor the film with measured intensity and emotional depth. Reviews highlighted powerful central portrayals and effective ensemble chemistry that convey the protagonist’s inner turmoil and relational dynamics. Yet some viewers felt that certain supporting figures lacked sufficient development, leading to occasional emotional distance. In sum, the character work provides impactful moments of empathic connection, though it stops short of fully realizing its potential for richer emotional layering.

55
Echo Score

Story & Flow

When it comes to story and flow, the narrative delivers moments of genuine suspense and clear dramatic stakes, but its structure often feels fragmented. Critics pointed out a laboured pacing and a tendency to sacrifice narrative intricacy, while viewers cited familiar plot conventions and predictable beats. Nevertheless, many found the core real-life events compelling enough to sustain engagement. Overall, the story maintains basic narrative drive but lacks the cohesion needed for a more compelling arc.

70
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of sensory experience, the film offers an understated yet effective soundscape paired with crisp visuals that support its period setting. Observers noted attentive sound design and a restrained score that complements rather than overwhelms the narrative. While the visual palette remains subdued, it works in tandem with ambient audio elements to evoke a reflective mood. Overall, the sensory elements are thoughtfully integrated, providing immersive context without drawing undue attention.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Regarding rewatch factor, the film presents enough thematic resonance and performance highlights to warrant a second viewing, though it falls short of repeated discovery. Viewers praised its emotional accessibility and historical subject matter, suggesting moderate replay value among audiences interested in personal dramas. However, the structural unevenness and predictable sequences may deter some from revisiting. Ultimately, the rewatch potential exists primarily for viewers drawn to its central performances and historical context.

Metacritic

54

Metascore

tbd

User Score

IMDb

6.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

55

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate The Sea Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Sea with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Sea Quiz: Test your knowledge about the 2017 film 'The Sea', which tells a gripping story of clandestine operations to rescue Ethiopian Jews.

Who is the main protagonist working with the Mossad?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Sea

See more

Read the complete plot summary of The Sea, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Kebede Bimro, an Ethiopian Jew, teams up with the intrepid Ari Levinson, an Israeli Mossad agent, in a daring mission to rescue Jewish-Ethiopian refugees and lead them to safety in Israel. Realizing that his operations in Ethiopia would be significantly enhanced with an effective cover, Ari pitches an audacious plan to Israeli intelligence officer Ethan Levin. This strategy involves leasing the Red Sea Diving Resort, a defunct hotel along the Sudanese coast, allowing them to use it as a façade for their humanitarian efforts. The unusual proposal garners hesitant approval, prompting Ari to recruit his former Mossad allies: Rachel Reiter, Jake Wolf, Max Rose, and Sammy Navon to help in this secretive endeavor.

Upon their arrival in Sudan, the team finds themselves unexpectedly popular as the brochures they had prepared attract real tourists to the resort. Although managing guests wasn’t part of the original plan, Ari soon realizes that this influx of visitors can effectively mask their refugee evacuation operations. Thus, the group smoothly runs the resort as a legitimate business while clandestinely facilitating the escape of refugees to a waiting Israeli ship stationed off the coast. Their initial efforts yield success, allowing several extraction missions to unfold without a hitch. However, their luck begins to wane when Sudanese Colonel Abdel Ahmed uncovers the operation after he tortures and kills a group of refugees. Ahmed’s visit to the resort threatens their whole setup, and though he investigates, he doesn’t detect the secretive refugee efforts.

As tensions rise, one fateful night, Ari and Sammy face arrest after a close call with Sudanese soldiers during an evacuation operation. Released from custody, they return to find Levin informing them that the mission has been compromised and must be canceled. However, the threat intensifies when Ahmed, relentless in his pursuit, returns to the resort, leading Rachel into a desperate situation where she must kill one of his men to protect the hidden refugees. In a bold move, Ari arranges a last-ditch effort to evacuate the refugees via cargo plane, enlisting help from Walton Bowen, a CIA officer. Together, they transport the refugees to an abandoned British airfield, where they narrowly escape from Ahmed, managing to extract both themselves and the refugees to safety.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Sea

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Sea. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Seagull | Official Trailer HD (2018)

The Sea Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


1980sbased on true storyrefugeeethiopian jewrefugee campmossadisraeli navysudanjewmuslimafricacorruptionred seadesert hotelmale protagonistmale nuditymale rear nudityhairy chesthairy chested malebare chested malemale star appears shirtlessclothed male naked male scene
Movie Wiki CTA - Movie Book

Unlock the World of Movies with Our Comprehensive Wiki

Dive into our Movie Wiki for in-depth film encyclopedia entries, including cast biographies, production trivia, plot synopses, behind-the-scenes facts, and thematic analyses. Whether you’re researching iconic directors, exploring genre histories, or discovering hidden easter eggs, our expertly curated movie database has everything you need to fuel your cinematic passion.

Movie Wiki CTA - Green Blue Wave

Similar Movies To The Sea You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.