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Action thriller

The Endless Trench (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Endless Trench (2020) movie poster

The Endless Trench is a 2020 action thriller directed by Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño, starring Antonio de la Torre as Higinio, Belén Cuesta and Emilio Palacios. It runs 2 hours 27 minutes and earned $1.3 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Main Actress at the Premios Feroz 2020. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$1.3M
award won
1
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The Endless Trench (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 27m (147 min)
Genres
Action , Adventure , Drama , History
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Endless Trench About?

The premise of The Endless Trench without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the Spanish Civil War, Higinio Blanco finds himself trapped in a relentless siege. Desperate to survive, he retreats into his home, barricading himself against the constant threat. As days turn into weeks, his ordeal becomes a profound struggle, testing his will and forcing him to confront the uncertain prospect of ever escaping the endless trench of his own making.

The Endless Trench Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • spanish civil war
  • dictatorship
  • 1930s
  • 1940s
  • 1960s
  • hideout
  • amnesty
  • closeted gay
  • franco
  • fear
  • little town
  • civil war
+38 more
  • wall
  • secret
  • secret room
  • tailor
  • sewing
  • rape scene
  • assassination
  • revenge
  • fugitive
  • television
  • son
  • father son relationship
  • burial
  • runaway
  • fire
  • arrest
  • torture
  • pregnancy
  • andalucia
  • andalusia
  • spain
  • hallucination
  • inspired by a true story
  • mother son relationship
  • year 1936
  • year 1943
  • year 1945
  • year 1963
  • year 1969
  • 20th century
  • male frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • female pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • female frontal nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • brief female frontal nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
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Cast & crew

The Endless Trench Cast & Characters

Antonio de la Torre leads the cast as Higinio, with Belén Cuesta as Rosa and Emilio Palacios as Jaime. Directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Endless Trench

· 6 more
From the directors

More from the Directors of The Endless Trench

More films directed by the directors of The Endless Trench, best-rated first: Flowers, Marco: The Invented Truth, Mateo’s Mother and The Endless Trench.

Ratings

The Endless Trench Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Endless Trench 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (72).

85 /100

The Endless Trench Echo Score Breakdown

The Endless Trench excels in immersing viewers in a tense and emotionally resonant period drama. Critics praised its technical sophistication, atmospheric sound design, and nuanced performances from the lead actors, while a few noted occasional lapses in narrative momentum. User feedback echoed admiration for the cinematography and acting but highlighted moments of pacing that felt extended. The film’s exploration of isolation and resistance is consistently engaging across most assessments. Ultimately, the net impression is of a thoughtfully crafted yet occasionally slow-paced epic.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, The Endless Trench demonstrates a high level of technical proficiency and visual cohesion. Multiple critics noted its sophisticated camera work and carefully composed frames, and users described the film as beautifully shot. The production design effectively recreates the era, while measured editing sustains the thematic tension. Overall, the film’s art direction stands out as a compelling aspect of its immersive experience.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Endless Trench is anchored by nuanced performances that convey profound inner turmoil. Critics consistently highlighted the lead actors’ ability to embody fear, alienation, and silent resistance, and users praised the sincerity of the portrayals. The emotional resonance is reinforced by believable chemistry between the protagonists and subtle character arcs. As a result, the character dimension emerges as a pronounced strength.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, The Endless Trench offers a compelling premise but occasionally struggles with pacing. Some praise the unfolding decades-long narrative and thematic exploration, while others found extended sequences feeling drawn out. The hidden-life premise remains original and holds interest despite occasional dips in momentum. Overall, the story presents a measured balance between historical scope and narrative drive.

  • Sensory Experience 87

    In terms of sensory experience, The Endless Trench creates an immersive atmosphere through sound design and visual style. Critics noted the asphyxiating tension reinforced by well-layered ambient audio, and users mentioned the score’s subtle underscoring of mood. The cinematography employs controlled palettes and tight framing to convey claustrophobia. Consequently, the sensory elements combine effectively to enhance the film’s oppressive and tense environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Regarding rewatch factor, The Endless Trench delivers thematic depth but may test viewers who prefer brisk pacing. Critics and users praised the immersive portrayal of hidden life, yet noted its deliberate rhythm could dampen replay motivation. The film’s historical authenticity and layered acting offer reasons for repeat viewings. Overall, the rewatch value is moderate, anchored by emotional complexity.

Plot

The Endless Trench Plot Summary

What happens in The Endless Trench 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

In 1936, at the onset of the Spanish Civil War, a newlywed man who has voiced his criticism against the Nationalist army and government finds himself fearing for his life, worried that he may be targeted in a series of reprisal killings. With the looming danger, he seeks refuge in his own home, hiding under the floor thanks to his devoted wife, Rosa. The first segment of his journey, titled “campeada” (to run), reveals the harrowing experience he endures as he evades his pursuers.

Full summary

The whole story of The Endless Trench, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Endless Trench Box Office

The Endless Trench grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.3M

International
$1.3M
Awards

The Endless Trench Awards & Nominations

The Endless Trench won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Main Actress at the Premios Feroz 2020.

1 win6 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Endless Trench Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Endless Trench.

The Endless Trench (aka La trinchera infinita) | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Endless Trench?

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

What historical event sets the backdrop for Higinio's desperate plight?

Details

The Endless Trench Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “Viimeinen juoksuhauta” and “Une vie secrète”.

Also known as
  • Viimeinen juoksuhauta
  • Une vie secrète
  • La trincea infinita
  • Το Ατέλειωτο Χαντάκι
  • A Trincheira Infinita
  • Der endlose Graben
  • Wieczny okop
  • A vég nélküli lövészárok
  • Sonsuz Siper
  • התבצרות
  • Den endeløse skyttegrav
  • 无尽的战壕
+5 more
  • Den ändlösa skyttegraven
  • Вечный окоп
  • Nekonečné zákopy
  • 끝없는 참호
  • 餘悸無盡

Seen The Endless Trench?

FAQ

The Endless Trench FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is The Endless Trench?

The Endless Trench runs 2 hours 27 minutes (147 minutes).

When was The Endless Trench released?

The Endless Trench was released on November 6, 2020.

Who directed The Endless Trench?

The Endless Trench was directed by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga.

More films by Aitor Arregi

Who is in the cast of The Endless Trench?

The Endless Trench stars Antonio de la Torre as Higinio, Belén Cuesta as Rosa and Emilio Palacios as Jaime, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Endless Trench make at the box office?

The Endless Trench grossed $1.3 million worldwide.

How is The Endless Trench rated?

The Endless Trench has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

What awards did The Endless Trench win?

The Endless Trench won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Main Actress at the Premios Feroz 2020.

Does The Endless Trench have a post-credit scene?

No. The Endless Trench has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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