Historical documentary

Sea of Shadows (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Name: Sea of Shadows
Genre: History, Crime, Documentary
Released: 2019-07-12
Duration: 1 h 44 min
Cast: Marc Davis, Carlos Loret de Mola, Andrea Crosta, Hector Capetillo, Jack Hutton

Sea of Shadows is a 2019 historical documentary directed by Richard Ladkani and Matthew Podolsky, starring Marc Davis, Carlos Loret de Mola and Andrea Crosta. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $1,996 worldwide. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
worldwide gross: $2K
Echo Score: 82

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Watch the trailer

Released: July 12, 2019
Runtime: 1h 44m (104 min)
Directors: Richard Ladkani , Matthew Podolsky and Sean Bogle
Genres: History , Crime , Documentary
Original language: English
Studio: National Geographic
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Sea of Shadows About?

The premise of Sea of Shadows without spoilers.

Amidst the dangerous waters of the Sea of Cortez, a perilous collaboration between Mexican drug cartels and Chinese traffickers threatens the region's fragile ecosystem. A team of scientists, conservationists, journalists, and undercover agents find themselves in a race against time to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. They confront ruthless criminals involved in illegal fishing and trafficking, risking their lives in a desperate fight for justice and the survival of a unique species.

Sea of Shadows Themes & Keywords

· 13 tags

three word title
metaphoric title
sea of cortez
vaquita
whale
organized crime
drug cartel
endangered species
environmental activism
philosophical conversation
danger
ecology

+1 more

independent film

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Cast & crew

Sea of Shadows Cast

Marc Davis leads the cast, with Carlos Loret de Mola and Andrea Crosta. Directed by Richard Ladkani, Matthew Podolsky and Sean Bogle; 10 actors are credited in all.

Co-director Richard Ladkani
Co-director Matthew Podolsky
Co-director Sean Bogle

Marc Davis as themselves
Carlos Loret de Mola as themselves
Andrea Crosta as themselves
Hector Capetillo as themselves

Also Starring in Sea of Shadows

· 6 more

Jack Hutton Themselves
Jacqueline Le Duc Themselves
José Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa Themselves
Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho Themselves
Rafael Pacchiano Alamán Themselves
Romel Eduardo Ledezma Abaroa Themselves

Ratings

Sea of Shadows Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sea of Shadows 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

82 /100

Sea of Shadows Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Sea of Shadows delivers a compelling account of environmental crisis through a blend of investigative thoroughness and cinematic vigor. Critics and users alike highlight its rigorous exploration of illegal wildlife trade while maintaining clear narrative momentum. The film’s polished camerawork and emotive storytelling resonate deeply, even as occasional pacing lulls emerge in lighter segments. On balance, the documentary merges urgency and engagement effectively, resulting in a persuasive call to action with enduring impact.

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, Sea of Shadows exhibits agile camerawork and precise editing that render complex sequences coherent. Several reviews praise the sleek visual style and well-timed cutting, although occasional thriller tropes feel derivative. The consistent production design and measured camera movements sustain viewer interest throughout. Overall, the film’s technical execution underpins its documentary narrative effectively.
Character & Emotion 75

Regarding Character & Emotion, the documentary humanizes its subjects through empathetic profiles and candid interviews. Viewers respond to the emotional weight conveyed by activists and scientists, and the film’s sense of righteous urgency enhances audience connection. While the absence of traditional protagonists limits narrative arcs for some, the emotional stakes remain clear. In sum, the film establishes strong emotional resonance despite its observational format.
Story & Flow 80

In terms of Story & Flow, Sea of Shadows provides a coherent investigative structure that sustains engagement from start to finish. Critics note occasional redundancy in thriller-style sequences, yet the incorporation of unexpected developments and clear exposition of the vaquita crisis heighten interest. Pacing shifts between high-stakes confrontations and informative context balance depth and momentum. Ultimately, the documentary’s storyline delivers an accessible yet substantive journey.
Sensory Experience 85

When assessing Sensory Experience, the film leverages a rousing score and immersive sound design to amplify tension during critical moments. Reviewers commend its cohesive visual palette and crisp audio mixing, although some note that visceral scenes lack polish. Camera movement and sound cues synchronize to reinforce narrative beats seamlessly. Overall, the documentary offers a compelling audiovisual presentation that reinforces its thematic urgency.
Rewatch Factor 65

In terms of Rewatch Factor, Sea of Shadows offers compelling content that rewards repeated viewings for its depth of investigative detail. While the urgency of the subject matter sustains interest, the documentary’s heavy focus on environmental crisis may lessen impulse to rewatch purely for entertainment. Nonetheless, the layered presentation of data and expert perspectives ensures lasting appeal for engaged viewers.