Undertow
Wolfe Releasing | Release Date: November 26, 2010 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
76
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandNov 22, 2010
This small film's accomplishments are many, but not the least is its ability to take a human story and frame it as a parable, without losing a bit of credibility or irresistible heart. Read full review
100
Boxoffice MagazinePam GradyNov 22, 2010
Sensual and romantic with a heavy dose of the supernatural and populated by indelible characters. Read full review
80
NPRBob MondelloNov 29, 2010
Undertow, for all its narrative tricks, has been given the rhythm and texture of real life, as well as emotional undercurrents that are haunting. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasNov 27, 2010
In a confident yet relaxed feature debut, Fuentes-León has created a wholly unified work of art. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeNov 24, 2010
Filmmaker Javier Fuentes-Leon's delicately and sensuously illuminates this collision of contemporary sexuality with centuries of dogma and tradition. At times, he interjects magical realist elements into the story, which makes it confusing rather than lifting it to a higher plane of understanding. Read full review
80
Village VoiceErnest HardyNov 23, 2010
Undertow, is sublime. Set in a small, picturesque Peruvian fishing village, it's less a coming-out tale than a magic realism–infused coming-of-consciousness love story. Read full review
80
EmpireIan FreerNov 22, 2010
A languid, quietly moving love triangle. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley MorrisFeb 3, 2011
Like most films about gay men, Undertow can't envision a normal life of couplehood. But Fuentes-Léon works in a blithe and breezy magic-realist manner that fends off attendant feelings of depression. Read full review
75
Washington PostStephanie MerryJan 28, 2011
As if love triangles aren't complicated enough, the bittersweet Peruvian film Undertow offers a couple of twists on the archetype. Read full review
70
The New York TimesManohla DargisNov 27, 2010
A small movie with a full heart, Undertow takes an old idea - the loving, lingering ghost - and gives it reverberant, resuscitated life. Read full review
70
VarietyDennis HarveyNov 22, 2010
Neither sexually explicit nor showily lyrical, Undertow nonetheless has a sensuous, romantic feel that balances same-sex love with an equally empathetic view toward the adoring, then bewildered, then enraged wife. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNov 27, 2010
Without excessive emotion or drama, director Javier Fuentes-León's film - and Mercado's performance - gently captures the power of emotions whose silent rattle is even stronger than reality. Read full review
60
Time OutEric HynesNov 24, 2010
Undertow's three impassioned lead performances and Fuentes-León's honest engagement with thorny matters of identity, sexuality and community still make it an easy movie to get swept up by. Read full review
More From This Movie

76 Critic Reviews

8.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL