Radical

Name: Radical
Genre: Drama
Released: November 3, 2023
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Christian González, Daniel Haddad, Danilo Guardiola, Eugenio Derbez, Gilberto Barraza

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Pantelion Films | Release Date: November 3, 2023 | PG-13

Starring: Christian González, Daniel Haddad, Danilo Guardiola, Eugenio Derbez, Gilberto Barraza, Jennifer Trejo, Manuel Márquez, Mia Fernanda Solis, Victor Estrada, Xochiquetzal Martínez

Summary: In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher tries a radical new method to break through his students’ apathy and unlock their curiosity, their potential . . . and maybe even their genius. Based on a true story.

Director: Christopher Zalla

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Nell Minow

Nov 1, 2023

As Sergio and Chucho share the names of the teachers who inspired them, we see Chucho begin to reconnect with what led him to become an educator. If we are lucky, we have at least one teacher in our past who showed us what we are capable of. If not, Sergio can help remind us that it is never too late. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Wendy Ide

Aug 22, 2024

Derbez is very likable, if a little too prone to moments of moist-eyed pathos, but the young actors are phenomenal – in particular Jennifer Trejo as Paloma, the litter-picker with a genius IQ, and Danilo Guardiola as Nico, the class clown in the clutches of the cartel. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Nov 1, 2023

Radical may hit all the requisite narrative arcs, but it does so with a level of nuance and examination that other films of this type either gloss over or ignore entirely. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Jan 28, 2023

Boosted by some lovely performances from its young actors, writer-director Christopher Zalla’s sometimes-creaky feel-good film is most affecting when it explores how some children can have their future taken away only too soon. Read full review

David Rooney

Jan 28, 2023

Writer-director Christopher Zalla adheres to the subgenre’s conventions and doesn’t stint on sentimentality, but Radical more than earns its surging emotional payoff. Read full review

IndieWire Carlos Aguilar

Jan 28, 2023

Radical can’t escape a formulaic construction with scenes that pack a predictably saccharine punch (see: kids rushing to hug their beloved teacher once he has proven himself an ally). And yet, as unsubtle as the story beats tend to march on, the backdrop of poverty and hopelessness make the light that Derbez’s character brings into the classroom, and in turn into the youths’ lives, earned. Read full review

Natalia Winkelman

Nov 2, 2023

Despite its foundation in reality, Radical is as by the books as it gets. Read full review

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