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Drama

Roma (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Roma (2018) movie poster

Roma is a 2018 drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón, starring Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, Carlos Peralta and Marco Graf. It runs 2 hours 15 minutes and earned $1.1 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. It won 3 Oscars, including Cinematography and Directing, and 15 awards in all. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 96 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$1.1M
Oscars won
3
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Roma (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 15m (135 min)
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Genre
Drama
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Roma About?

The premise of Roma without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Set in 1970s Mexico City, this drama follows Cleo, a young domestic worker, as she cares for a middle-class family in the Roma neighborhood. Through a deeply personal story, the film explores themes of family, class, and faith, drawing on the director’s own memories of childhood. It’s a tender and moving portrait of a woman’s strength and resilience during a period of significant social and political change.

Roma Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • maid
  • nanny
  • mexico city
  • class differences
  • 1970s
  • saving a life
  • mopping a floor
  • year 1971
  • movie theater
  • stillborn baby
  • pregnancy
  • mexico
+38 more
  • penis
  • childbirth
  • servant
  • unwed pregnancy
  • ford galaxy
  • waves
  • martial arts training
  • child
  • year 1970
  • grandmother grandson relationship
  • autobiographical
  • mexican military
  • violence
  • one word title
  • location in title
  • car
  • water breaking
  • written by director
  • watching a movie
  • place name in title
  • house
  • housekeeper
  • no music score
  • ghosting
  • vacation
  • wildfire
  • nostalgia
  • employer employee relationship
  • marching band
  • period piece
  • mexican
  • professor
  • female protagonist
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • nudity
  • infidelity
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Cast & crew

Roma Cast & Characters

Yalitza Aparicio leads the cast as Cleo, with Carlos Peralta as Paco and Marco Graf as Pepe. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Roma

· 6 more
Ratings

Roma Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Roma 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 96 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 90/100, strongest in art & craft (95) and weakest in story & flow (75).

90 /100

Roma Echo Score Breakdown

Roma excels in immersive storytelling and visual craftsmanship that capture intimate moments within a universal context. Critics highlight the meticulous compositional framing and the serene stoicism of the lead performance, while multiple users praise the film’s emotional resonance and sociopolitical reflections. Although some viewers found the pacing deliberate and the narrative understated, the consensus acknowledges the film’s poetic authenticity and immersive experiences. Overall, Roma delivers a profoundly affecting cinematic journey that rewards both initial and repeated viewings.

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

  • Art & Craft 95

    In terms of art and craft, Roma demonstrates exceptional visual composition and production design rooted in a restrained black-and-white palette. The direction showcases evocative framing in each vignette, and critics consistently note the immersive period detail. While a few users found the monochrome aesthetic flat, most praise the film’s lyrical cinematography and authentic mise-en-scène. The net result is a strikingly crafted visual experience that anchors the film’s emotional core.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    In terms of character and emotion, Roma features a nuanced central performance that conveys quiet resilience. The lead’s stoic expression and understated reactions are frequently cited for their emotional depth, while supporting moments evoke empathetic connections to ordinary life. A minority of viewers felt the characters remained at a distance, but overall audiences and critics alike respond to the film’s authentic portrayals. The result is compelling emotional resonance anchored by strong character work.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Roma unfolds through a subtly structured narrative that emphasizes everyday experiences over dramatic peaks. Critics note the deliberate pacing builds emotional impact, yet some viewers perceive the plot as minimalistic and slow. The film’s focus on vignettes offers thematic cohesion but demands patience from the audience. Overall, the narrative balances intimate detail with universal significance despite its measured tempo.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, Roma immerses viewers through detailed sound design, a minimalist score, and cohesive visual style. The ambient audio of domestic life and location-specific sounds creates a palpable sense of place, while the monochrome palette delivers an understated yet expressive visual tone. Although a few users found the black-and-white imagery flattening, most praise the film’s atmospheric depth. Altogether, the sensory elements enhance the film’s immersive realism.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Roma rewards repeat viewings with its layered compositions and nuanced performances. Critics describe returning to the film as a means to discover new details and thematic undercurrents, and some users note deeper appreciation on subsequent viewings. While the deliberate pacing may deter some on first watch, the film’s poetic authenticity and intricate craftsmanship inspire renewed engagement. Overall, Roma maintains strong lasting appeal.

Plot

Roma Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Roma from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

F. during the years 1970-1971**, we follow Cleo, a hardworking housekeeper portrayed by Yalitza Aparicio, who dedicates her days to caring for a wealthy family’s four children: Toño, Paco, Pepe, and Sofi. Not only does she manage the household chores and look after the kids, but she also enjoys a close friendship with Adela, another housemaid played by Nancy García García. Tensions arise within the family dynamics, particularly between Antonio (played by Fernando Grediaga), the doctor and head of the household, and his wife Sofía (portrayed by Marina de Tavira), as he frequently leaves for work trips.

Full summary

The whole story of Roma, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Roma Box Office & Budget

Roma grossed $1.1 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 8% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1M

8% of its budget back

International
$1.1M
Budget
$15M
Awards

Roma Awards & Nominations

Roma won 3 Oscars, including Cinematography and Directing, and 15 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2019, with 4 wins from 8 nominations.

15 wins31 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

Roma Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser
  • Behind the Scenes Behind the Scene: Alfonso Cuarón on ROMA
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Roma?

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

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In what year does 'Roma' take place?

Cars

Cars in Roma

67 cars on screen, including the 1970 Ford Galaxie 500 and the 1965 Plymouth Valiant.

All 67 cars
  • 1970 Ford Galaxie 500 in Roma 1970 Ford Galaxie 500 Main role
  • 1965 Plymouth Valiant in Roma 1965 Plymouth Valiant Important role
  • 1946 Chevrolet 'Art Deco' in Roma 1946 Chevrolet 'Art Deco' Minor role
  • 1959 Chevrolet Task-Force Apache 38 in Roma 1959 Chevrolet Task-Force Apache 38 Minor role

Seen Roma?

FAQ

Roma FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Roma, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Roma?

Roma runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

When was Roma released?

Roma was released on November 21, 2018.

Who directed Roma?

Roma was directed by Alfonso Cuarón.

More films by Alfonso Cuarón

Who is in the cast of Roma?

Roma stars Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, Carlos Peralta as Paco and Marco Graf as Pepe, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Roma make at the box office?

Roma grossed $1.1 million worldwide on a budget of $15 million.

How is Roma rated?

Roma has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

What awards did Roma win?

Roma won 15 awards from 31 nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Critics' Choice 2019.

Does Roma have a post-credit scene?

No. Roma has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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