Perfect Sense poster

Perfect Sense

"Without love there is nothing"

Movie R 2011 1h 33m 6.9 /10
Directed by David Mackenzie

Set in Glasgow, Perfect Sense follows a growing romance between Susan, a gifted epidemiologist, and Michael, a talented chef, as a strange illness spreads beyond borders. Susan studies how the outbreak unfolds and tests vaccines while Michael crafts meals that anchor ordinary life. As the world... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 20, 2026

About Perfect Sense

Set in Glasgow, Perfect Sense follows a growing romance between Susan, a gifted epidemiologist, and Michael, a talented chef, as a strange illness spreads beyond borders. Susan studies how the outbreak unfolds and tests vaccines while Michael crafts meals that anchor ordinary life. As the world wakes to a mysterious pandemic that gradually erodes the senses, their bond deepens and they try to hold onto normal pleasures. The film tracks their relationship through seasons of escalating crisis, balancing intimate moments with the wider emergency that presses governments and communities into action. The story reframes love as a parallel experiment in adaptation, trust, and resilience against an unseen threat, without revealing where it ends. It leans on quiet rituals and shared meals to illustrate how tenderness persists even as uncertainty grows.

David Mackenzie directs this intimate drama from an original screenplay by Kim Fupz Aakeson. Released in 2011, Perfect Sense pairs Ewan McGregor and Eva Green in a quiet, character driven study of love under crisis. The film's visual palette emphasizes gray Glasgow skies and close, intimate spaces.

Critics noted the film's unusual blend of romance and science fiction, appreciating its restrained mood and actors' chemistry. The story probes how affection changes when danger alters ordinary life, asking whether closeness survives when the world feels unsettled and loss becomes part of daily routine.

While not a blockbuster, the movie sparked discussions about how love and humanity endure during public health emergencies. Its delicate visuals and patient pacing have been cited by some as a precursor to how sensational thrillers can address intimate stakes without spectacle.

No major awards or nominations are noted for Perfect Sense. The film did gain attention for the performances of McGregor and Green, and for its bold pairing of a romance with a global crisis, but it did not collect prominent accolades.

Details

Release Date
September 29, 2011
Runtime
1h 33m
Rating
R
User Ratings
1,213 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama, Science Fiction, Romance
Country
Germany
Studio
BBC Film +4 more
Box Office
$138,868
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor

Michael

Eva Green

Eva Green

Susan

Ewen Bremner

Ewen Bremner

James

Stephen Dillane

Stephen Dillane

Stephen

Denis Lawson

Denis Lawson

Boss

Anamaria Marinca

Anamaria Marinca

Street Performer

Alastair Mackenzie

Alastair Mackenzie

Virologist

Connie Nielsen

Connie Nielsen

Jenny

Lauren Tempany

Lauren Tempany

Girl in Bed

Shabana Akhtar Bakhsh

Shabana Akhtar Bakhsh

Nurse

Director: David Mackenzie

Written by: Kim Fupz Aakeson

Frequently Asked Questions

Perfect Sense is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Google Play.

Yes, you can rent on Amazon Video or buy on Google Play and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 6.9/10 from 1,213 viewers, Perfect Sense is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Set in Glasgow, Perfect Sense follows a growing romance between Susan, a gifted epidemiologist, and Michael, a talented chef, as a strange illness spreads beyond borders. Susan studies how the outbreak unfolds and tests vaccines while Michael crafts meals that anchor ordinary life. As the world w...

Perfect Sense stars Ewan McGregor, Eva Green, Ewen Bremner, Stephen Dillane, and Denis Lawson.

Perfect Sense was directed by David Mackenzie.

Perfect Sense was released on September 29, 2011.

Perfect Sense is a Drama, Science Fiction, and Romance film.

Eva Green plays Susan, a brilliant epidemiologist. She falls in love with Michael as a mysterious pandemic begins to spread.

Ewan McGregor plays Michael, a skilled cook. He develops a romance with Susan amid the global pandemic.

The film is set in Glasgow, Scotland. The story follows the romance between Susan and Michael as a pandemic unfolds.

The movie centers on Susan, an epidemiologist, and Michael, a cook, who fall in love as a mysterious pandemic starts to spread around the world.