Problemista (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Problemista is a 2024 comedy starring Julio Torres as Alejandro, Tilda Swinton and Catalina Saavedra. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $2.7 million worldwide on a $12 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2025. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
What Is Problemista About?
The premise of Problemista without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Alejandro, a talented toy designer from El Salvador, is facing deportation from New York City as his work visa expires. Determined to remain and pursue his creative ideas, he accepts a position as an assistant to the eccentric Tilda Swinton, a figure in the art world. He risks everything for the opportunity to continue his work and find artistic freedom.
Where to Watch Problemista
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Problemista Cast & Characters
Julio Torres leads the cast as Alejandro, with Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth and Catalina Saavedra as Dolores.
-
Julio Torres as Alejandro -
Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth -
Catalina Saavedra as Dolores - Logan J. Alarcon-Poucel as Young Alejandro
Also Starring in Problemista
· 16 more- Isabella Rossellini Narrator
- Spike Einbinder Spray
- Eudora Peterson FreezeCorp Receptionist
- RZA Bobby
- Kelly McCormack Sharon
- Laith Nakli Khalil
- Larry Owens Craigslist
- Theo Maltz Travis
- James Scully Bingham
- Greta Lee Dalia
- Ronald Peet Apple Customer Service Rep
- River L. Ramirez Estefani, Bank of America Rep
- Greta Titelman Celeste
- Glo Tavarez Beatriz, Khalil Law Paralegal
- Shakina Nadine
- Sheila Moikangoa FedEx Clerk
Problemista Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Problemista 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Problemista Echo Score Breakdown
Problemista presents a distinctive blend of surreal humor and social satire, though its repetitive motifs occasionally undercut its impact. Critics and viewers praised Julio Torres’s whimsical visuals and production design, alongside effective character interactions and a heartfelt emotional core. The narrative’s creative metaphors and playful CGI foster engagement, even as uneven pacing and dense quirkiness can feel taxing. Ultimately, the film offers an original yet imperfect debut that rewards patient viewing.
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, Problemista excels through its imaginative production design and striking cinematography that evoke a playful surrealism. Reviewers noted the inventive use of CGI, costuming, and set dressing to reinforce the film’s absurdist tone. Editing and pacing occasionally feel uneven amidst the visual flourishes. Overall, the film’s art direction remains consistently engaging.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, Problemista features compelling chemistry between Alejandro and Elizabeth, anchored by earnest performances. Tilda Swinton’s bold presence and Julio Torres’s nuanced charms create memorable interplay, although some viewers found Torres’s protagonist too diffident at times. Despite occasional unevenness in emotional beats, the ensemble delivers a generally resonant portrayal that supports the film’s thematic core.
- Story & Flow 75
In terms of story and flow, Problemista offers original surreal vignettes that reframe the immigrant experience through absurdist metaphors. Reviewers praised its inventive premise and social satire, though some noted that repetitive motifs and erratic pacing can disrupt narrative coherence. While the film balances whimsy and heart effectively, its episodic structure sometimes hinders seamless engagement. Overall, the story remains intriguing and distinctive.
- Sensory Experience 80
When considering sensory experience, Problemista delivers a vivid audio-visual landscape marked by a playful color palette and imaginative sound design. Reviewers highlighted the whimsical soundtrack cues, striking CGI sequences, and cohesive visual style that underpin the film’s surreal atmosphere. Although the layering of metaphors can feel heavy-handed at points, the sensory elements consistently enhance the film’s unique tone and humor.
- Rewatch Factor 60
In terms of rewatch factor, Problemista’s inventive visuals and quirky humor invite repeat viewings for those drawn to its surreal charm. The film’s imaginative metaphors and satirical observations provide fresh discoveries on subsequent watches. However, its reliance on recurring motifs and uneven pacing may diminish enjoyment for some. Overall, the movie retains a moderate replay value through its distinctive style.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 85% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 85%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
133242 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Problemista Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Problemista from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the opening scenes set against the vibrant backdrop of El Salvador, we meet young Alejandro Martinez (Logan J. Alarcon-Poucel), who is lovingly cared for by his mother Dolores (Catalina Saavedra). A talented artist, Dolores encourages her son’s blossoming creativity, while also grappling with anxieties about his future. This is beautifully illustrated when Alejandro, dressed in blue, courageously confronts a menacing creature with glowing red eyes inside a cave, as narrated by Isabella Rossellini (Isabella Rossellini).
Full summary
The whole story of Problemista, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Problemista Box Office & Budget
Problemista grossed $2.7 million worldwide on a $12 million budget, 22% of what it cost. $2.5 million came from the US and Canada and $174,368 (7%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.7M
22% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $2.5M
- International
- $174.4K
- Budget
- $12M
Problemista Awards & Nominations
Problemista earned 2 award nominations, including Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards 2025.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2025 2 nominations- Nominated Best First Feature
- Nominated Best First Screenplay – Julio Torres
Problemista Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser Official Promo
- Clip Pupusas - Official Clip
- Featurette Tilda Swinton & Julio Torres Paint Eggs
How Well Do You Know Problemista?
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 Alejandro's ambition in 'Problemista'?
Problemista Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Нарушитель спокойствия” and “大麻烦家”.
- Also known as
-
- Нарушитель спокойствия
- 大麻烦家
- Проблемная
- Проблемиста
- 프라블러미스타
- Проблеміста
- 大麻煩家
- 问题专家
- L'art des problèmes
- Problem Diyarı
- ศิลปะกับนางมารร้าย
Seen Problemista?
Problemista FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Problemista, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Problemista?
Problemista runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Problemista released?
Problemista was released on March 1, 2024.
Who is in the cast of Problemista?
Problemista stars Julio Torres as Alejandro, Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth and Catalina Saavedra as Dolores, among 20 credited actors.
Where can I watch Problemista?
In the US, Problemista is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Problemista make at the box office?
Problemista grossed $2.7 million worldwide ($2.5 million domestic, $174,368 international) on a budget of $12 million.
How is Problemista rated?
Problemista has 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Was Problemista nominated for any awards?
Problemista received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Problemista have a post-credit scene?
No. Problemista has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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
