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The Secret in Their Eyes
El secreto de sus ojos
2009 130 min Argentina, Spain R 18+
★8.5
Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Director: Juan José Campanella
🎭 Based on
«The Question in Their Eyes»
byEduardo Sacheri
Trailers
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Description
Hoping to put to rest years of unease concerning a past case, retired criminal investigator Benjamín begins writing a novel based on the unsolved mystery of a newlywed’s rape and murder. With the help of a former colleague, judge Irene, he attempts to make sense of the past.
Budget:
$2M
US Gross:
$6.39M
Worldwide:
$33.97M
Starring
Ricardo Darín
Actor
Soledad Villamil
Actor
Pablo Rago
Actor
Awards
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Debut Actress
Academy Awards 2010
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Foreign Film in Spanish
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Picture
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Director
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Debut Actress
BAFTA 2011
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Cinematography
César Awards 2011
— Best International Feature Film
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2009
— Golden Shell
Academy Awards 2010
— Best International Feature Film
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Foreign Film in Spanish
Goya Awards 2010
— Best Actor
Key opinion
El secreto de sus ojos is widely celebrated as a masterful, emotionally resonant fusion of detective thriller and melodrama. While a minority of critics find the narrative pacing sluggish or the plotting melodramatic, most viewers praise its profound character depth, atmospheric tension, and an unforgettable, powerful conclusion.
| Ending | The film’s shocking and emotionally potent ending is a definitive highlight that elevates the entire narrative. | |
| Acting | The performances, particularly by the lead actors, provide an authentic and soul-stirring anchor for the complex story. | |
| Screenplay | The film succeeds in weaving together multiple genres—thriller, romance, and social drama—into a cohesive and multi-dimensional narrative. | |
| Direction | The stadium chase sequence is a brilliantly executed set piece that showcases technical skill and narrative tension. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split between those who find the contemplative, slow-burn tempo immersive and those who perceive it as lacking momentum. | |
| Screenplay | The film’s reliance on tropes of unrequited love and melodramatic character connections draws praise for its human sincerity from some, while others find the plotting predictable or overly sentimental. |