Broken Embraces (2009): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Broken Embraces is a 2009 drama thriller directed by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar and Blanca Portillo. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $37.5 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics' Choice 2010. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Stream it on Tubi TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 7m (127 min)
- Director
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Original language
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Spanish - Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Broken Embraces About?
The premise of Broken Embraces without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following the death of Ernesto Martel, long-buried secrets surrounding a past love affair are revealed, forcing Harry Caine—formerly Mateo Blanco, a now-sighted filmmaker—to confront his complicated history. He must navigate a web of deception and unrequited passions, ultimately seeking a path toward redemption while facing the ghosts of his former life and the truth about his past relationships.
Broken Embraces Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- screenwriter
- alter ego
- film production manager
- filmmaking
- aspiring actress
- lip reading
- vomiting
- sex talk
- secretary
- breast fondling
- neo noir
- film director
+38 more Show fewer
- pseudonym
- blind man
- artistic creation
- romantic thriller
- written by director
- ensemble drama
- mistress
- tragic love
- adventurer
- wealthy businessman
- female topless nudity
- casual sex
- reading braille
- bare chested male
- agent
- reference to arthur miller
- melodrama
- fatal car crash
- repression
- cocaine use
- vengeance
- fixation
- disco disc jockey
- millionaire
- homophobia
- pushed down stairs
- dying of cancer
- sex worker
- accidental overdose
- gay boyfriend
- reference to a vampire
- passionate affair
- hotel receptionist
- camcorder
- loss of sight
- sabotage
- obsessive love
- marriage proposal
Where to Watch Broken Embraces
Stream it on Tubi TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Tubi TV 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Broken Embraces Cast
Penélope Cruz leads the cast, with Lluís Homar and Blanca Portillo. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar.
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Director Pedro Almodóvar
Broken Embraces Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Broken Embraces 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
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IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 82% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 75%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Broken Embraces Plot Summary
What happens in Broken Embraces from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A man navigates through life, love, and creativity shrouded in darkness. Fourteen years prior, he endured a devastating car crash on the island of Lanzarote that not only robbed him of his sight but also resulted in the tragic loss of Lena, the woman he adored more than anything.
This complex individual adopts two identities: Harry Caine, a whimsical alias under which he publishes his literary works, including stories and scripts, and Mateo Blanco, his true name associated with the film he directs. Following the incident, Mateo Blanco relinquished his identity, fading into the persona of Harry Caine. For him, the loss resonates deeply; he believes Mateo Blanco perished alongside his beloved Lena on that fateful day in Lanzarote.
Full summary
The whole story of Broken Embraces, scene by scene
Broken Embraces Box Office
Broken Embraces grossed $37.5 million worldwide. $5 million came from the US and Canada and $32.5 million (87%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$37.5M
- US & Canada
- $5M
- International
- $32.5M
Broken Embraces Awards & Nominations
Broken Embraces won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics' Choice 2010. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2010, with 1 win from 1 nomination.
1 win3 nominations3 ceremonies
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Critics' Choice 2010 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Foreign Language Film
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BAFTA 2010 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language
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Golden Globes 2010 1 nomination- Nominated Best Foreign Language Film
Broken Embraces Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Broken Embraces.
How Well Do You Know Broken Embraces?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the main character's pseudonym?
Cars in Broken Embraces
5 cars on screen, including the 1977 Chevrolet C-10 and the GM C-Series.
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1977 Chevrolet C-10 Minor role -
GM C-Series Minor role -
2004 Isuzu Ascender Minor role -
2004 Isuzu Ascender Minor role
Seen Broken Embraces?
Movies Like Broken Embraces
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Broken, Broken Borders and Broken English.
Broken Embraces FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Broken Embraces, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Broken Embraces?
Broken Embraces runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).
When was Broken Embraces released?
Broken Embraces was released on November 20, 2009.
Who directed Broken Embraces?
Broken Embraces was directed by Pedro Almodóvar.
More films by Pedro Almodóvar Who is in the cast of Broken Embraces?
Broken Embraces stars Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar and Blanca Portillo.
Where can I watch Broken Embraces?
In the US, Broken Embraces is streaming on Tubi TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Broken Embraces make at the box office?
Broken Embraces grossed $37.5 million worldwide ($5 million domestic, $32.5 million international).
How is Broken Embraces rated?
Broken Embraces has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
What awards did Broken Embraces win?
Broken Embraces won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Critics' Choice 2010.
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