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critics consensus

Director Alejandro Amenábar tackles some heady issues with finesse and clarity in Open Your Eyes, a gripping exploration of existentialism and the human spirit. Read critic reviews

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Open Your Eyes Photos

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Movie Info

Handsome 25-year-old Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) had it all -- a successful career, expensive cars, a swank bachelor's pad, and an endless string of beautiful and willing women. He is then thrown into a strange psychological mystery after a car accident scars his face and lands him in prison.
  • Rating:
    R (Some Violence|Some Strong Sexuality|Language)
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller, drama
  • Original Language:
    Spanish (Spain)
  • Director:
    Alejandro Amenábar
  • Producer:
    Fernando Bovaira, José Luis Cuerda
  • Writer:
    Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $368.2K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Lucky Red
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Eduardo Noriega
César
Penélope Cruz
Soifa
Chete Lera
Antonio
Fele Martínez
Pelayo
Najwa Nimri
Nuria
Gerard Barray
Duvernois
Jorge de Juan
Encargado L.E.
Miguel Palenzuela
Commisario
Alejandro Amenábar
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Writer
Mateo Gil
Writer
Ana Amigo
Associate Producer
Fernando Bovaira
Producer
José Luis Cuerda
Producer
Andrea Occhipinti
Associate Producer
Alain Sarde
Associate Producer
Alejandro Amenábar
Original Music
Mariano Marín
Original Music
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Open Your Eyes

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (7)

View All Critic Reviews (47)

Audience Reviews for Open Your Eyes

  • Jun 18, 2016
    Amenábar follows his intelligent debut Thesis with this equally smart, well-written and nicely-acted psychothriller that takes a simple premise and shapes it into something so puzzling that we can't see where reality ends and illusion begins - and the strong ending is more than earned.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 02, 2015
    Truly, one of the very best sci-fis and explorations of the human soul I've seen in years.
    Kyle M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 08, 2012
    A very well-made Spanish psychological thriller with a surprisingly well-thought out ending, Open Your Eyes works effectively as both a thriller and, for the first hour or so, a romance. Eduardo Noriega actually has really great chemistry with Penelope Cruz, and the movie begins as an engrossing romance between the two of them. However, that all comes crashing down soon enough, and the movie evolves into a mysterious story of dreams versus reality. The easiest comparison I can make to describe this latter portion of the movie is Jacob's Ladder, although there isn't nearly as much switching between different perceived realities. The big reveal at the end of the movie is actually pretty interesting and unexpected, although it isn't perfect by any means. Open Your Eyes is ultimately a very enjoyable and thoughtful mystery to unravel and one of the better mind-bending psychological thrillers I've seen. Watch this instead of the weaker American remake with Tom Cruise, Vanilla Sky.
    Joey S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 21, 2011
    One helluva original mindfuck of a movie! And remember, this came out 2 years before similar ideas showed up in <i>The Matrix.</i> I've seen the remake <i>Vanilla Sky</i> twice (once with commentary) which it turns out was extremely faithful so my confusion level was nearly nonexistent here. I recommend either one really, although when you're establishing the role of a smugly handsome playboy, Eduardo Noriega is no Tom Cruise which is one advantage <i>Vanilla Sky</i> owns. Penelope Cruz is still Penelope Cruz in Spanish or English though.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
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Open Your Eyes (Abre los Ojos) Quotes

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