Fish Tank

Mia is a fifteen year old caught in a constant war at home and in her own head. She lives with her mother Joanne and her younger sister in a tight, rough neighborhood where every day feels like a test. When her mother's new boyfriend Connor enters the picture, Mia is stunned by the attention he pays her and she clings to the possibility that he might help her make sense of a world that often feels out of reach. The drama follows her erratic longing for affection and a safe harbor, as she weighs trust against the risk of getting burned. Her world feels both electrifying and dangerous as she tests limits.

Directed by Andrea Arnold, Fish Tank arrived in 2009 as a close, intimate British drama. It draws on an original screenplay rather than adaptation, presenting Katie Jarvis in her breakout role as Mia, with Michael Fassbender as Connor and Kierston Wareing as Joanne. Crafted on a modest budget, the film stands out for its naturalistic style and stark urban settings that mirror Mia's world.

The film earned about $5.9 million worldwide, against a reported budget of $3 million. It found audiences around the globe and became a notable early success for its cast and director. Its box office performance made it one of the standout independent dramas of its year.

Critics highlighted Katie Jarvis's startling breakout performance and Arnold's raw, social realist approach as influential for British cinema. The film sparked conversations about working class adolescence, desire, and boundaries, leaving a mark on how intimate dramas about youth are made and discussed.

Reception was largely positive, with critics praising its unflinching look at a young girl fighting for agency within a chaotic family life. It centers on themes of longing, power dynamics, resilience, and the harsh realities of adolescence in a late 2000s urban Britain. Critics agreed the film was uncompromising yet accessible, and it is often cited as a landmark in contemporary British realism for its fearless voice.