critics consensus

A drama as beautifully filmed as it is finely detailed, Undertow is a wonderfully unique love story with a touch of magic. Read critic reviews

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you buy your ticket?

Let's get your review verified.
Fandango

AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info

Cinemark Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Regal Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
  
  Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info
- Cinemark Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

Undertow Photos

View All Photos (1)

Movie Info

Genre:

drama, mystery and thriller
Original Language:

English
Director:

Javier Fuentes-León
Producer:

Rodrigo Guerrero, Javier Fuentes-León
Writer:

Javier Fuentes-León
Release Date (Theaters):

Nov 26, 2010 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 1, 2011

Cast & Crew

Cristian Mercado

Tatiana Astengo

Manolo Cardona

Atilia Boschetti

José Chacaltana

Maria Edelmira Palomino

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Undertow

Critics Consensus: Tangled Weaves A Fun Web

View All

Critic Reviews for Undertow

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (4)

This drama is a first feature by Javier Fuentes-Lon that manages to outgrow the limits of its story.

February 3, 2011 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
Reminiscent of such heavenly Hollywood fantasies as "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," Peru's "Undertow" suggests a more passionate, lyrical tale of a soul in search of a body.

January 20, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4

John Hartl
Seattle Times
Right from the start of Undertow, writer-director Javier Fuentes-Leon refuses to reduce any of his characters to clichs, which gives the film its fresh, captivating power.

December 16, 2010 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald
Undertow, for all its narrative tricks, has been given the rhythm and texture of real life, as well as emotional undercurrents that are haunting.

November 29, 2010 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Bob Mondello
NPR
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.

November 23, 2010 | Full Review…

Ernest Hardy
Village Voice
More heart-tugging mlo than spooky thriller.

November 21, 2010 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Andrew Schenker
Slant Magazine
An undercooked ghost story unravels what could have been a touching tale.

October 29, 2019 | Rating: 2.2/5 | Full Review…

David Harris
Spectrum Culture
The first part of the film is... slow-paced and antsy-making, with none of the sensitive and tragic character study of the second part.

April 11, 2011 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
[Director]Fuentes-Leon...does a solid job balancing characters and story and creates a sympathetic surreal tale.

February 4, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
Stunningly photographed by Mauricio Vidal, "Undertow" is about a ghost caught between his lover's private shame and a town's public traditions.

January 31, 2011 | Rating: A- | Full Review…

Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews
This poetic gem about loss and the consequences of a passionate but hidden gay relationship in a tiny ocean-side village of modest fishermen deservedly won Sundance's World Cinema Audience Award and represents Peru's bid for an Oscar nom.

December 1, 2010 | Full Review…

Doris Toumarkine
Film Journal International
A captivating, breathtaking and intricately layered amalgamation of heartfelt drama, romance and magical realism. It's one of the most powerful love stories since Brokeback Mountain.

November 25, 2010 | Rating: 8.9621/10 | Full Review…

Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru