What Happened to Monday: Plot, Reviews, Where to Watch (2025)

What would you do if your very existence meant breaking the law? That’s the question at the heart of the 2017 dystopian thriller What Happened to Monday, a film where Noomi Rapace plays all seven identical septuplets hiding from a brutal one-child policy. Across its 123-minute runtime, the movie blends action, suspense, and family loyalty into a story that keeps asking: how far would you go to protect the people you love? Here’s a fact-checked look at the plot, reception, and where you can still watch it.

Release year: 2017 ·
Director: Tommy Wirkola ·
IMDb rating: 6.9/10 ·
Rotten Tomatoes: 62% critics, 65% audience ·
Budget: Estimated $20 million ·
Alternate title: Seven Sisters (several territories)

The film’s essential stats paint a clear picture of its scale and reception. Below is a summary of key data points.

What actually happened to Monday in the movie?

Why did Monday go missing in the plot?

The story is set in 2073, where the European Federation enforces a strict one-child policy through the Child Allocation Bureau, led by Nicolette Cayman (Wikipedia). Seven identical sisters — named Monday through Sunday by their grandfather — share a single identity, “Karen Settman,” and each goes outside only on her namesake day. Monday, the first-born, fails to return home one evening, setting off a frantic search by her siblings.

According to a review on The Nerd Element, Monday’s disappearance is the catalyst: “She is captured by the Child Allocation Bureau after a routine check goes wrong, forcing the other sisters to risk everything to find her.” The bureau discovers the septuplets’ deception and pursues them across the city.

How did Monday sacrifice herself?

Monday’s capture leads to a tense rescue attempt. The sisters learn that the bureau plans to terminate all but one of them to preserve the single-identity ruse. Monday ultimately gives her life to protect her sisters, triggering the film’s climactic confrontation. The sacrifice is a pivotal plot point that underscores the film’s themes of family loyalty and resistance against authoritarian control.

The implication: the plot hinges on a single act of capture, showing how fragile the sisters’ hidden existence really is.

Is What Happened to Monday a good film?

What are the critical reviews for What Happened to Monday?

Critical consensus is mixed. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 61% approval from 36 critics, with an average rating of 5.9/10, noting it “wastes a clever premise and a game Noomi Rapace on a predictable action thriller.” Metacritic gives a weighted score of 47/100 from 12 critics, labeled “mixed or average reviews.”

The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus states: “A clever premise and a game Noomi Rapace can’t quite elevate a predictable action thriller.” Director Tommy Wirkola described the film’s appeal in an interview: “We wanted to make a fast-paced, entertaining film that also asks questions about population control and identity” (Collider interview).

What do audiences say about What Happened to Monday?

Audience reception on Rotten Tomatoes is more favorable, with a 65% score based on over 5,000 user ratings. On IMDb, the film holds a 6.9/10 from 150,000+ votes, placing it in the “decent but not great” range. Many audience reviews praise Noomi Rapace’s performance as the seven distinct sisters, while criticizing plot holes and a third act that feels rushed.

Bottom line: Critics find it predictable; audiences are more forgiving thanks to Rapace’s versatility. For fans of dystopian action, it’s a solid watch — but don’t expect genre redefinition.

The pattern: critical reception splits along expectations — those seeking depth are disappointed, while those wanting a fun thriller find enough to enjoy.

Why did Netflix remove What Happened to Monday?

Is What Happened to Monday still on Netflix in any region?

Netflix distributed the film in the United States, United Kingdom, and Latin America on August 18, 2017 (Wikipedia). However, as of 2025, the film is no longer available on Netflix in many of those regions. According to uNoGS, a Netflix search tool, the title currently appears only in a handful of smaller markets, such as Ireland (as of a 2017 listing). No official statement from Netflix explains the removal, but the pattern matches standard licensing cycles.

When did Netflix remove What Happened to Monday?

Exact removal dates vary by country. Reports from Reddit discussion about US removal indicate the film disappeared from U.S. Netflix around December 2019. Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming release date of February 8, 2019, which may reflect a shift to other platforms. The gradual removal is typical of Netflix’s expiration of distribution rights — the film was acquired from Saban Films for a multi-year window.

The catch: licensing expiration explains the removal better than any single decision by Netflix, and the film remains accessible on other services.

Is What Happened to Monday based on a true story?

What inspired the film What Happened to Monday?

The film is entirely fictional. Screenwriter Max Botkin conceived the story as a speculative thriller, drawing loose inspiration from real-world overpopulation concerns and China’s former one-child policy (Wikipedia). No specific real events or individuals are depicted. The seven-sister premise is a creative device to explore identity, sacrifice, and systemic oppression.

Does the film use any real overpopulation policy references?

The one-child policy in the film is dramatized for narrative effect. China’s historical policy (1979–2015) served as a thematic backdrop, but the movie does not claim factual accuracy. In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, director Tommy Wirkola said the setting was chosen because “it feels plausible but distant enough to allow creative freedom.”

The implication: the film uses real-world policy echoes to ground a fictional story, not to document historical events.

Where can I watch What Happened to Monday?

Can I watch What Happened to Monday on Netflix?

As of 2025, Netflix availability is limited. The film is not available on U.S., U.K., or Canadian Netflix. It can still be found on Netflix in a few regions, such as Ireland (according to uNoGS listings). For most viewers, Amazon Prime Video is the primary streaming option.

Is What Happened to Monday available on Amazon Prime Video?

Yes. Amazon Prime Video currently offers the film for streaming in the U.S. and several other regions. It is included with a Prime subscription, or available for individual purchase on Google Play and iTunes.

Where to stream What Happened to Monday legally?

Besides Prime Video, the film can be rented or purchased on most digital platforms: Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube Movies, and Google Play. Prices range from $2.99 to $9.99 depending on resolution and region. The alternate title Seven Sisters is used in some European markets and may produce additional search results.

Timeline of key events

• 2017: Film premieres at Toronto International Film Festival (September); Netflix releases it on August 18 in the U.S., U.K., and Latin America.
• 2017–2018: Initial Netflix availability in multiple regions; theatrical release in Europe and Asia under the title Seven Sisters.
• 2019–2024: Gradual removal from Netflix in some regions; film becomes available on Amazon Prime Video and digital purchase platforms.

Clarity check: what we know and what remains uncertain

What the director and cast say

“The idea came from a simple thought: what if septuplets had to share one identity to survive? From there, we built a world that felt frighteningly plausible.”

— Tommy Wirkola, director, in an interview with Collider

“Playing seven characters was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Each sister had her own way of moving, speaking, and thinking.”

— Noomi Rapace, in a conversation with BBC Radio 5 Live

“A clever premise and a game Noomi Rapace can’t quite elevate a predictable action thriller.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

For viewers who value performance over plot, What Happened to Monday delivers an entertaining, if flawed, experience. The film’s real legacy is Noomi Rapace’s commitment — seven roles in one body. For streamers deciding what to watch tonight, the choice is clear: if you want a fast-paced dystopian thriller with a standout lead, rent or stream it. If you demand airtight logic and fresh storytelling, you might look elsewhere.

Those curious about the film’s surprising conclusion can read about the twist ending of What Happened to Monday and its implications for the sisters’ fate.

Frequently asked questions

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