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Eduardo Serra

Eduardo Serra

Cinematographer · Died August 19, 2025, aged 81 · Lisboa, Portugal

Eduardo Martins Serra (2 October 1943 - 19 August 2025) was a Portuguese cinematographer who spent most of his career working in European film productions, mostly in French, Portuguese and British films, with frequent collaborations with directors Patrice Leconte and Claude Chabrol. Serra is best known for his work on the M. Night Shyamalan film, Unbreakable and the final two Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 both directed by David Yates From 1960 to 1963, Serra studied engineering at Lisbon's Instituto Superior Técnico, but he had to leave the country after his involvement in students' protests against Salazar's dictatorship. He settled in France, where he was accepted to Vaugirard film school in Paris; he graduated in 1966. In 1970 he got his second degree from the Paris-Sorbonne University, in Art History and Archeology. Serra has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. His first nomination was for his work on The Wings of the Dove (1997), for which he also won a BAFTA. He received his second Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for Girl with a Pearl Earring. In 2004, Serra received the Ordem do Infante D. Henrique, a civilian award presented for services to Portuguese culture, from President Jorge Sampaio. Source: Article "Eduardo Serra" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 2, 1943
Died
August 19, 2025 (aged 81)
From
Lisboa, Portugal
Works as
Cinematographer
Titles
36 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 31% in 30 days

What are Eduardo Serra's films like?

Across their 33 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
38%
Self
24%
Morality
21%
Power
6%
Survival
6%
Society
4%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love16 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 9 · Dark 18

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 18 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 16 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 4

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 22 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 13

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 13 · Ambiguous 7

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
18
Melancholic
20
Bittersweet
11
Contemplative
10
Romantic
7
Other
26

How their films linger

Bittersweet19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic7
  • Ambiguous10

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Eduardo Serra's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 36 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Eduardo Serra's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 36 with a MovieCove page.

  • A Promise(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Belle du Seigneur(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Inspector Bellamy(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Defiance(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Fados (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Cinematographer

  • A Girl Cut in Two(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Blood Diamond(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Comedy of Power(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Never Say... Never! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bridesmaid(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Beyond the Sea(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Intimate Strangers(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Girl with a Pearl Earring(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Flower of Evil(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • O Delfim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Cinematographer

  • Love Street(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Unbreakable(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Widow of St. Pierre(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Passion of Mind(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Color of Lies(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • What Dreams May Come(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Swindle(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Wings of the Dove(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Disappearance of Finbar(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Jude(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Jew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Cinematographer

  • Funny Bones(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • L'Amour conjugal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • Dead Tired(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Yvonne's Perfume(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Map of the Human Heart(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Tango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Amor e Dedinhos de Pé (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Le zèbre(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Lapse of Memory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • The Hairdresser's Husband(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The King's Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Cinéma Portugais – Un Mode d'Emploi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • A Mulher do Próximo(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Tropical Snow(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Terrorists in Retirement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • The Specialists (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • Marche à l'ombre(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Pinot simple-flic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bodyguard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Side Roads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • No Trace of Sin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • Rink-Hockey – Le Hockey Sur Roulettes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • La banquière(1980)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Solemn Communion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Assistant Camera

  • Black and White in Color(1976)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Un Anniversaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Vivre ensemble(1973)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 54 titles from 1973 to 2013.

Biggest box office

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

$1.3B worldwide

Highest rated

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Midcredits 98th

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing3 of 54: 2 only directing, 1 with another roleCinematography48 of 54: 47 only cinematography, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thOther crew4 of 54: 4 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s4 · crew1980s11 · crew1990s18 · crew2000s17 · crew2010s4 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Eduardo Serra's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 65th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 67th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 36 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 36 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · cinematographer

Belle du Seigneur (2012)

71st percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 74/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 61. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Eduardo Serra's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles37–92 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles24–62 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles19–60 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles15–47 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles48–88 · median 71 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Eduardo Serra work with?

People who share at least 2 of Eduardo Serra's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Claude Chabrol shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers