Madre (2020): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Madre is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, starring Blanca Apilánez as Madre de Elena, Marta Nieto and Frédéric Pierrot. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and was made on a reported $2.6 million budget. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Rodrigo Sorogoyen
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Strand Releasing
- Budget
- $2.6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Madre About?
The premise of Madre without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following the heartbreaking disappearance of her six-year-old son, Elena has spent ten years searching for clues along the French coast. Now running a restaurant by the sea, she is slowly finding solace. However, the arrival of a teenage boy evokes painful memories of her lost child, creating a complex and emotional connection. This unexpected bond stirs up suspicion and unleashes a wave of turmoil as Elena confronts the past.
Madre Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- female protagonist
- landes france
- 2010s
- 10 years later
- missing son
- beach restaurant
- waitress
- motherhood
- spanish woman
- nightclub
- mezcal
- phone footage
+35 more Show fewer
- summer vacation
- lost son
- older woman teenage boy relationship
- coming of age
- beach
- long take
- telephone call
- based on short film
- disappearance
- disappearance of a child
- disappearance of son
- missing kid
- seaside
- summer
- restaurant
- teenager
- teenage boy
- following someone
- drinking alcohol
- sea
- e mail
- skinny dipping
- nude young male
- surf
- surfers
- surfboard
- woman wears underwear
- teenage boy wears underwear
- one word title
- night
- kiss
- nude boy
- boy rear nudity
- bare chested teenage boy
- bare chested male
Madre Cast & Characters
Blanca Apilánez leads the cast as Madre de Elena, with Marta Nieto as Elena and Frédéric Pierrot as Grégory. Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen
- Blanca Apilánez as Madre de Elena
- Marta Nieto as Elena
-
Frédéric Pierrot as Grégory -
Anne Consigny as Léa
Also Starring in Madre
· 6 more- Àlex Brendemühl
- Raúl Prieto Ramón
- Lou Lampros Caroline
- Guillaume Arnault Benoît
- Jules Porier Jean
- Álvaro Balas Iván
More from Rodrigo Sorogoyen
More films directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, best-rated first: The Beasts, El doble, May God Save Us and El Iluso.
Madre Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Madre 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Madre Echo Score Breakdown
Madre presents a reflective meditation on grief and identity that frequently succeeds in its emotional resonance but stumbles in narrative pacing. Reviews highlight the film’s thoughtfully composed direction and Marta Nieto’s nuanced lead performance, while noting its deliberate pacing sometimes undermines engagement. The score and visual motifs contribute a compelling atmosphere, even as repetitive story elements reduce momentum. Overall, the film offers a rich character study with strong craft merits, tempered by moments of narrative redundancy that affect its overall cohesion.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates confident visual composition and inventive framing that enhance its introspective tone. Reviews commend the inventive cinematography and measured pacing of camera movement, complemented by clear production design that underlines emotional gravity. Although some describe the direction as occasionally hesitant in its formal choices, the art direction overall reinforces the film’s reflective atmosphere.
- Character & Emotion 90
In terms of character and emotion, the film delivers a deeply felt lead performance that anchors its exploration of grief. Reviews highlight Marta Nieto’s nuanced portrayal and the authentic portrayal of evolving maternal vulnerability. Emotional resonance is sustained through carefully observed interactions and a thoughtful depiction of loss. While supporting characters sometimes emerge only in functional roles, the emotional depth remains a defining strength.
- Story & Flow 60
When it comes to story and flow, the film offers an original premise but exhibits uneven pacing that divides viewers. Some praise the narrative’s reflective approach to loss, while others note repetitive sequences and lapses in coherence during the second act. The tension between character study and plot progression occasionally undermines engagement. Overall, the story provides thematic depth but falters in maintaining sustained momentum throughout.
- Sensory Experience 75
In terms of sensory experience, the film pairs an atmospheric score with a restrained sound design that enhances its meditative quality. Viewers commend the subtle musical motifs and clear audio mix, which support the emotional undercurrents without overwhelming them. The cohesive visual style, marked by a muted palette and deliberate framing, complements the soundscape. Taken together, the sensory elements create an immersive ambiance that reinforces the film’s reflective mood.
- Rewatch Factor 60
For rewatch factor, the film’s richly layered themes offer potential appeal on subsequent viewings, though its deliberate pacing may challenge repeated engagement. Some viewers note that the nuanced performance and emotional undercurrents reveal new dimensions upon revisiting, while others find that the slow narrative progression detracts from replay value. Overall, the title holds modest rewatch potential for audiences drawn to its contemplative style, despite limited mass appeal for multiple viewings.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 73%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Madre Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Madre from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a remote farming town in rural California during the 1970s, a young Mexican-American couple, Diana and Beto, search for a fresh start as Beto takes a job managing a farm. Diana, who is several months pregnant with their first child, hopes this move will bring stability and safety. The new house they move into feels tense from the moment they arrive: it’s old, creaky, and crowded with strange symbols and ominous objects, including a doll that seems buried in the backyard like a secret from the past. The atmosphere is heavy with unspoken histories, and Diana senses an uncomfortable weight that she cannot shake off, even as they try to settle in and begin the next chapter of their lives.
Full summary
The whole story of Madre, scene by scene, with the ending explained
How Well Do You Know Madre?
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 name of the pregnant protagonist?
Seen Madre?
Movies Like Madre
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Madres, Mia Madre and Mother.
Madre FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Madre, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Madre?
Madre runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Madre released?
Madre was released on October 30, 2020.
Who directed Madre?
Madre was directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen.
More films by Rodrigo Sorogoyen Who is in the cast of Madre?
Madre stars Blanca Apilánez as Madre de Elena, Marta Nieto as Elena and Frédéric Pierrot as Grégory, among 10 credited actors.
What was the budget of Madre?
Madre had a reported budget of $2.6 million.
How is Madre rated?
Madre has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic.
Does Madre have a post-credit scene?
No. Madre has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Madre in?
The original language of Madre is Spanish.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
