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Drama thriller

The Warning (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Warning (2018) movie poster

The Warning is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Daniel Calparsoro, starring Hugo Arbues as Nico, Antonio Dechent and Raúl Arévalo. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $728,729 worldwide on a $4 million budget. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$728.7K
Echo Score
58
The Warning (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Fantasy
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Warning About?

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

A man discovers a disturbing pattern linking past tragedies and foresees an impending disaster. Driven by this revelation, he embarks on a race against time to prevent the next calamity. As he investigates, he faces mounting pressure and must confront the possibility that his efforts to warn others could lead to his own demise, all while the clock relentlessly counts down.

The Warning Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • young boy
  • teenage boy
  • numerology
  • murder
  • massacre
  • gas station
  • history repeats itself
  • curse
  • death threat
  • murder investigation
  • mathematician
  • changing one's fate
+9 more
  • time loop
  • predestination
  • supernatural power
  • psychotronic film
  • child in jeopardy
  • based on novel
  • plot twist
  • surprise ending
  • bullying
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Warning

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Warning Cast & Characters

Hugo Arbues leads the cast as Nico, with Antonio Dechent as Héctor and Raúl Arévalo as Jon. Directed by Daniel Calparsoro; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Warning

· 6 more
Ratings

The Warning Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Warning 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

58 /100

The Warning Echo Score Breakdown

The Warning delivers effective suspense and atmosphere but struggles with narrative consistency and character development. In terms of direction and cinematography, it skillfully builds tension through parallel timelines and measured editing, creating an engaging visual framework. However, the story’s reliance on twist-driven logic and gaps in character motivation weaken its coherence, and performances sometimes lack emotional depth. While the sensory elements enhance the thriller’s mood, the film’s uneven plot resolution limits its lasting appeal. Overall, it remains a modestly engaging but flawed mystery.

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 Warning maintains consistent suspense through precise editing and deliberate pacing. Critics praised Calparsoro’s direction for its atmospheric framing and tension-building camera movements, noting the use of parallel timelines to heighten unease. Occasional predictability in visual motifs somewhat undercuts stylistic impact. Overall, the craft supports a tense if stylistically familiar thriller.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    In terms of character and emotion, performances offer intermittent resonance but lack consistent depth. Some observers highlighted effective portrayals that lend sincerity to key moments, yet others noted limited backstory and subdued expressions that hamper emotional engagement. The tension between empathetic scenes and underdeveloped arcs creates an uneven sense of connection. Ultimately, character work adds occasional weight but falls short of comprehensive emotional immersion.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, The Warning offers a compelling premise with dual timelines but struggles with logical cohesion. Viewers appreciated the engaging mystery and measured pacing, while criticism focused on predictable beats and unresolved narrative threads. The numerology-driven twists generate intrigue yet sometimes feel contrived. Overall, the plot delivers intermittent excitement but lacks the clarity needed for sustained momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels at creating an immersive atmosphere through its sound design and visual style. The haunting score and measured use of ambient effects reinforce the thriller’s mood, while cohesive color palettes and careful shot composition enhance tension. Some sound cues align effectively with narrative peaks, though a few sequences rely on familiar audio motifs. Overall, sensory elements contribute strongly to the film’s foreboding tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers moderate replay value centered on its intriguing concept. Early viewings highlight the unraveling mystery and atmospheric tension, but recurring plot twists and coherence gaps may diminish impact on subsequent watches. While the premise retains some curiosity, unresolved narrative elements lessen lasting appeal. Overall, the movie provides a worthwhile single viewing but offers limited rewards upon revisit.

Plot

The Warning Plot Summary

What happens in The Warning from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In April 2018, 9-year-old Nico finds himself tormented by relentless bullies who force him to loot an X-rated magazine from a 24-hour convenience store. They share chilling tales of a man shot dead in that very store a decade prior. When Nico is caught in the act by the store’s owner, Héctor, he realizes the magazine is far from appropriate for a child like Nico. Thankfully, Héctor keeps this incident from Nico’s mother, allowing him instead to purchase a video game magazine. To his shock, Nico later finds a sinister note hidden within the pages, warning him not to visit the store on his upcoming birthday, April 12, for fear of death.

Full summary

The whole story of The Warning, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Warning Box Office & Budget

The Warning grossed $728,729 worldwide on a $4 million budget, 18% of what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$728.7K

18% of its budget back

International
$728.7K
Budget
$4M
Videos

The Warning Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Warning.

El aviso - Trailer final (HD)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Warning?

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 calamitous event does Nico face on his birthday?

Details

The Warning Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “L'avvertimento” and “Die Warnung”.

Also known as
  • L'avvertimento
  • Die Warnung
  • L'avertissement
  • Ostrzeżenie
  • Advarselen
  • 死亡公式
  • สัญญาณมรณะ
  • 预警
  • Το Μυστικό Της Πεταλούδας
  • O Aviso
  • האזהרה
  • Уведомление
+6 more
  • 더 워닝
  • 警告
  • A figyelmeztetés
  • 絕命警告信
  • El Aviso
  • هشدار

Seen The Warning?

FAQ

The Warning FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Warning, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Warning?

The Warning runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was The Warning released?

The Warning was released on July 24, 2018.

Who directed The Warning?

The Warning was directed by Daniel Calparsoro.

More films by Daniel Calparsoro

Who is in the cast of The Warning?

The Warning stars Hugo Arbues as Nico, Antonio Dechent as Héctor and Raúl Arévalo as Jon, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Warning?

In the US, The Warning is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Warning make at the box office?

The Warning grossed $728,729 worldwide on a budget of $4 million.

How is The Warning rated?

The Warning has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Warning have a post-credit scene?

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

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