Paulina (2017): Cast & Ratings
Paulina is a 2017 drama thriller directed by Santiago Mitre, starring Oscar Martínez, Dolores Fonzi and Esteban Lamothe. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and was made on a reported $10 million budget. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Santiago Mitre
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Cinema Slate
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Paulina About?
The premise of Paulina without spoilers.
Leaving behind a demanding career as a lawyer, Paulina accepts a teaching position in a remote village bordering Paraguay and Brazil. Initially struggling to connect with her students due to language and cultural differences, she faces challenging confrontations. The situation intensifies after a violent attack, pushing Paulina's relationships and personal values to their limit and forcing her to confront her own beliefs and assumptions about life and justice.
Paulina Themes & Keywords
· 30 tags- night
- school
- police violence
- police brutality
- police
- rape
- motorcycle
- drinking
- multiple perspectives
- father daughter relationship
- psychotherapy
- voice over narration
+18 more Show fewer
- voice over
- gynecological exam
- teacher
- sex scene
- kiss
- pregnant woman
- pregnancy
- scene during end credits
- title at the end
- paraguay
- sexual aggression
- repeated scene from a different perspective
- non linear
- teacher student relationship
- classroom
- female protagonist
- long take
- nonlinear timeline
Paulina Cast
Oscar Martínez leads the cast, with Dolores Fonzi and Esteban Lamothe. Directed by Santiago Mitre; 7 actors are credited in all.
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Director Santiago Mitre
Also Starring in Paulina
· 3 moreMore from Santiago Mitre
More films directed by Santiago Mitre, best-rated first: Argentina, 1985, The Student, 15 Ways to Kill Your Neighbour and Los posibles.
Paulina Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Paulina 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Paulina Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of its overall impact, Paulina presents a challenging blend of intellectual rigor and emotional distance. The film’s brave willingness to pose moral questions and its serious tone earn admiration, yet persistent narrative stalls and the leading character’s opaque motivation often hinder viewer engagement. Critics noted its arresting style and fierce central performance but described the pacing as uneven and occasionally frustrating. This juxtaposition yields a thought-provoking but not fully satisfying experience, leaving a net impression of an ambitious work that at times eludes fulfillment.
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 & Craft, the film’s direction and visual composition demonstrate a disciplined seriousness that avoids melodramatic excess. Its cinematography employs a restrained palette and composed framing to underscore thematic tension. Production design remains minimal yet purposeful, and editing choices emphasize contemplative pauses over kinetic action. Altogether, the craft stands out for its purposeful restraint and cohesive aesthetic focus.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to Character & Emotion, the lead performance provides a fierce and committed portrayal of moral conviction. Critics praised the central role’s nuanced presence but noted that the protagonist’s emotional opacity limits deeper resonance. Supporting character interactions often feel ambiguous, reinforcing the film’s deliberate distance. Overall, the dimension balances intense acting with underdeveloped emotional accessibility, resulting in a mixed sense of engagement.
- Story & Flow 55
In regard to Story & Flow, the narrative earns respect for its originality in posing moral dilemmas but suffers from uneven pacing and stalled developments. Critics observed that key plot threads recur without resolution, contributing to a sense of frustration. While the film’s thematic ambition stands out, the deliberate unfolding often disrupts narrative momentum. Consequently, the story dimension feels intellectually stimulating yet only partially coherent in its execution.
- Sensory Experience 70
When evaluating the Sensory Experience, the film’s visual style impresses with its stark and disciplined imagery that reinforces thematic tension. Sound design alternates between silence and sparse ambient cues to heighten unease, and the understated soundtrack supports rather than overwhelms. Critics highlighted the cohesive visual-sound interplay as instrumental to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Overall, the sensory dimension succeeds through measured restraint and deliberate aural-visual harmony.
- Rewatch Factor 50
In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers thought-provoking themes that reward reflection, but its persistent narrative ambiguity may diminish repeated enjoyment. While the central performance and thematic depth invite subsequent viewings, the deliberate pacing and unresolved questions can feel taxing. Critics suggested that renewed viewings yield further appreciation of craft and ideas but noted limited emotional warmth. Thus, the rewatch appeal remains moderate, appealing to viewers seeking intellectual engagement.
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IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 70 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Seen Paulina?
Movies Like Paulina
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Death and the Maiden, Paulista and Pauline.
Paulina FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Paulina, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Paulina?
Paulina runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Paulina released?
Paulina was released on June 23, 2017.
Who directed Paulina?
Paulina was directed by Santiago Mitre.
More films by Santiago Mitre Who is in the cast of Paulina?
Paulina stars Oscar Martínez, Dolores Fonzi and Esteban Lamothe, among 7 credited actors.
What was the budget of Paulina?
Paulina had a reported budget of $10 million.
How is Paulina rated?
Paulina has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic.
Does Paulina have a post-credit scene?
No. Paulina has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Paulina in?
The original language of Paulina is Spanish.
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