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Drama thriller

The Day of the Lord (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Day of the Lord (2020) movie poster

The Day of the Lord is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Santiago Alvarado Ilarri, starring Juli Fàbregas as Menéndez, Dolores Heredia and Hector Illanes. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. IMDb users rate it 2.9/10.

IMDb rating
2.9/10
Echo Score
38
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The Day of the Lord (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Horror
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Day of the Lord About?

The premise of The Day of the Lord without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A troubled father turns to a disillusioned former priest, Menéndez, hoping for guidance and salvation. However, Menéndez is wrestling with his own lost faith and haunted by his past. As the two men navigate their struggles, they confront a growing darkness, blurring the lines between faith, despair, and the unknown.

The Day of the Lord Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • remote cabin
  • god complex
  • weekend
  • threatening
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Cast & crew

The Day of the Lord Cast & Characters

Juli Fàbregas leads the cast as Menéndez, with Dolores Heredia as Marisa and Hector Illanes as Sebas. Directed by Santiago Alvarado Ilarri; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Day of the Lord

· 1 more
Ratings

The Day of the Lord Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Day of the Lord 2.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in art & craft (30).

38 /100

The Day of the Lord Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film struggles to balance its conceptual ambition with execution restraints. Across reviews, observers cited uneven craft, superficial character development, and a narrative overloaded with didactic monologue that impedes pacing and engagement. Although a minority of viewers found the thematic debate intriguing and appreciated moments of tension, the film’s repetitive structure and amateurish production limit its broader impact. The net impression is of a film with earnest intent but undermined by pervasive technical and narrative shortcomings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s technical production suffers from amateurish execution. Several observers noted uneven framing and awkward editing that undermine narrative flow. The low-budget visual style and inconsistent cinematography detract from the intended atmosphere, despite occasional composition successes. Overall, the technical presentation feels underdeveloped and uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances show commitment but are hindered by superficial writing. Observations highlight that the cast strives to imbue depth, yet script inanities and limited development limit emotional engagement. Chemistry between the two leads occasionally registers, but sparse character arc restricts resonance. The result is a constrained emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is weighed down by extended theological monologues and pacing issues. Critics and viewers found the plot repetitive and the two-hour runtime disproportionate to the thin premise. While some appreciated the conceptual ideas and tension build-up, the film’s reliance on proselytizing dialogue undermines coherence and momentum. Story progression feels uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s audio and visual elements exhibit inconsistency. Several reviews mention an obtrusive score blending electronica and organ tones, alongside a subpar sound mix that distracts from dialogue. The visual style is marked by low-budget CGI and minimalistic production design, which hinders immersion. Overall sensory cohesion remains lacking.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s limited variation and preachy structure reduce replay appeal. Most feedback suggests that the repetitive dialogue and slow pacing offer little incentive for multiple viewings. While some viewers acknowledge thought-provoking ideas that could reveal nuances on a second watch, the prevailing sense of tedious monologue diminishes lasting appeal. Rewatch value is low.

Plot

The Day of the Lord Plot Summary

What happens in The Day of the Lord from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A former Catholic priest named Menéndez finds himself released from prison and assigned to a new residence, grappling with the heavy burden of his past. His incarceration followed a traumatic incident during an exorcism that led to the tragic death of a boy. Plagued by guilt, Menéndez is frequently tormented by dreams featuring both the boy and his mother, Marisa, for whom he harbors complicated feelings. As Marisa visits him regularly, she proves to be a source of comfort, devoid of any blame towards him for her son’s demise, often tidying up his home in a nurturing gesture.

Full summary

The whole story of The Day of the Lord, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Day of the Lord Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Day of the Lord.

Menendez The Day of the Lord 2020 | Drama, Horror, Thriller | Movie Trailer | Digital Trailers
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Day of the Lord?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What crime led Menéndez to prison?

Seen The Day of the Lord?

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Movies Like The Day of the Lord

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, The Day and Judgement Day.

FAQ

The Day of the Lord FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Day of the Lord, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Day of the Lord?

The Day of the Lord runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was The Day of the Lord released?

The Day of the Lord was released on October 30, 2020.

Who directed The Day of the Lord?

The Day of the Lord was directed by Santiago Alvarado Ilarri.

Who is in the cast of The Day of the Lord?

The Day of the Lord stars Juli Fàbregas as Menéndez, Dolores Heredia as Marisa and Hector Illanes as Sebas, among 5 credited actors.

How is The Day of the Lord rated?

The Day of the Lord has 2.9/10 on IMDb and 61% on TMDB.

Does The Day of the Lord have a post-credit scene?

No. The Day of the Lord has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Day of the Lord in?

The original language of The Day of the Lord is Spanish.

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