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Comedy drama

Perfect Strangers (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Perfect Strangers (2017) movie poster

Perfect Strangers is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Álex de la Iglesia, starring Belén Rueda as Eva, Eduardo Noriega and Ernesto Alterio. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $33.3 million worldwide on a $4 million budget. Its Echo Score is 74/100.

worldwide gross
$33.3M
Echo Score
74
budget
$4M
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Perfect Strangers (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Perfect Strangers About?

The premise of Perfect Strangers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a lunar eclipse, seven longtime friends assemble for a dinner party. Seeking to deepen their connection, they impulsively decide to play a revealing game: sharing every message, email, and phone call they receive for the rest of the evening. As private communications are laid bare, long-held secrets and hidden tensions surface, challenging their relationships and forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other.

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Cast & crew

Perfect Strangers Cast & Characters

Belén Rueda leads the cast as Eva, with Eduardo Noriega as Eduardo and Ernesto Alterio as Antonio. Directed by Álex de la Iglesia; 19 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Perfect Strangers

· 15 more
From the director

More from Álex de la Iglesia

More films directed by Álex de la Iglesia, best-rated first: My Big Night, Witching and Bitching, The Last Circus and El Crimen Perfecto (The Perfect Crime).

Full filmography
Ratings

Perfect Strangers Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

74 /100

Perfect Strangers Echo Score Breakdown

Perfect Strangers delivers a sharp commentary on modern privacy through a confined dinner setting, blending humor with tension. The film benefits from a confident direction, strong ensemble performances, and a lively score, while its narrative leans on a familiar premise and a predictable conclusion. Viewers generally find the experience entertaining, though some note the lack of originality compared with earlier versions. Consequently, the movie offers a solid, though not groundbreaking, viewing experience.

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 direction by Álex de la Iglesia is assured, guiding the confined setting with precise pacing and visual flair. Reviewers highlight the colorful cinematography by Ángel Amorós and a fitting musical score, while the production design creates an intimate dining atmosphere. The editing maintains tension as secrets unfold, resulting in a cohesive technical presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble cast receives consistent praise for nuanced performances and natural chemistry. Actors such as Eduard Fernández and Belén Rueda are noted for commanding presence, while the interplay among the friends conveys both humor and tension. Although some viewers find character arcs predictable, the overall emotional resonance remains effective, anchoring the film’s comedic and dramatic moments.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The story’s premise—friends exposing phone messages during dinner—offers a timely critique of digital privacy, and reviewers appreciate its witty setup. However, criticism arises regarding the plot’s simplicity and foreseeable twists, with the ending described as disappointing by several. While the narrative sustains engagement through escalating revelations, the lack of originality compared to the Italian source limits its overall storytelling impact.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    Sensory experience receives commendation for its lively soundtrack by Víctor Reyes and an appropriate visual palette that accentuates the claustrophobic dinner setting. Sound design underscores the tension when private messages surface, and the cinematography’s color choices enhance the comedic beats. No significant drawbacks are noted, resulting in a cohesive auditory‑visual environment that supports the film’s tonal shifts.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s central conceit provides enough intrigue for a second viewing, especially to notice subtle character cues missed initially. However, predictable plot points and a less satisfying conclusion diminish the incentive for repeated watches. Overall, audiences may return for the ensemble humor and tension, but the film lacks strong lasting appeal.

Plot

Perfect Strangers Plot Summary

What happens in Perfect Strangers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On the evening of a total lunar eclipse, an event said to heighten emotions, seven close friends gather for a dinner party. Among them is Eva, Belén Rueda, a relationship therapist who argues that many couples would part ways if they could see every message and notification their partner receives. The group reluctantly agrees to a dare: they will place their phones on the table and share all messages and calls with everyone present.

Full summary

The whole story of Perfect Strangers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Perfect Strangers Box Office & Budget

Perfect Strangers grossed $33.3 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, 8.3 times what it cost. $1 million came from the US and Canada and $32.2 million (97%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$33.3M

8.3× its budget

US & Canada
$1M
International
$32.2M
Budget
$4M
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Perfect Strangers?

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

Who plays Eva, the relationship therapist who proposes the phone game?

Details

Perfect Strangers Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Perfeitos desconhecidos” and “غریبه‌های تمام عیار”.

Also known as
  • Perfeitos desconhecidos
  • غریبه‌های تمام عیار
  • 페르펙토스 데스코노시도스
  • Перфектните непознати
  • Идеальные незнакомцы
  • Perfecți necunoscuți
  • 完美陌生人
  • Perfectes desconeguts

Seen Perfect Strangers?

FAQ

Perfect Strangers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Perfect Strangers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Perfect Strangers?

Perfect Strangers runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Perfect Strangers released?

Perfect Strangers was released on November 28, 2017.

Who directed Perfect Strangers?

Perfect Strangers was directed by Álex de la Iglesia.

More films by Álex de la Iglesia

Who is in the cast of Perfect Strangers?

Perfect Strangers stars Belén Rueda as Eva, Eduardo Noriega as Eduardo and Ernesto Alterio as Antonio, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Perfect Strangers make at the box office?

Perfect Strangers grossed $33.3 million worldwide ($1 million domestic, $32.2 million international) on a budget of $4 million.

Does Perfect Strangers have a post-credit scene?

No. Perfect Strangers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Perfect Strangers in?

The original language of Perfect Strangers is Spanish.

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