The Warning (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Daniel Calparsoro
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Netflix
- Budget
- $4M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- time loop
- predestination
- supernatural power
- psychotronic film
- child in jeopardy
- based on novel
- plot twist
- surprise ending
- bullying
Where to Watch The Warning
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
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.
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Director Daniel Calparsoro
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Hugo Arbues as Nico -
Antonio Dechent as Héctor -
Raúl Arévalo as Jon -
Sergio Mur as David
Also Starring in The Warning
· 6 more- Belén Cuesta Andrea
- Aura Garrido Lucía
- Luis Callejo Lisandro
- Julieta Serrano Asunción
- Patricia Vico Amparo
- Aitor Luna Pablo
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).
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.
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IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 31%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.8 /5
2 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
The Warning Box Office & Budget
The Warning grossed $728,729 worldwide on a $4 million budget, 18% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$728.7K
18% of its budget back
- International
- $728.7K
- Budget
- $4M
The Warning Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Warning.
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
- 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 calamitous event does Nico face on his birthday?
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 Show fewer
- 더 워닝
- 警告
- A figyelmeztetés
- 絕命警告信
- El Aviso
- هشدار
Seen The Warning?
Movies Like The Warning
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Warning, Warning Sign and A Warning to the Curious.
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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