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This Is Not Berlin (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

This Is Not Berlin (2019) movie poster

This Is Not Berlin is a 2019 drama starring Xabiani Ponce de León as Carlos, José Antonio Toledano and Mauro Sanchez Navarro. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $165 worldwide. Critics gave it 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
worldwide gross
$165
Echo Score
63
Metascore
69
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This Is Not Berlin (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is This Is Not Berlin About?

The premise of This Is Not Berlin without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In 1986 Mexico City, seventeen-year-old Carlos feels lost and struggles to find his place. He unexpectedly discovers a secretive nightclub, and is quickly drawn into an underground scene of post-punk rebellion and intoxicating freedom. As Carlos explores this new world, he grapples with complex relationships, particularly with his best friend Gera, and uncovers a surprising creative passion that promises to change his life forever.

This Is Not Berlin Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • male frontal nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female pubic hair
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • male rear nudity
  • gay kiss
  • male genitalia
  • female frontal nudity
  • female nudity
+38 more
  • protest
  • period film
  • public nudity
  • punk rock
  • performance art
  • sexual experimentation
  • outdoor nudity
  • reference to marcel proust
  • fight
  • school fight
  • high school
  • high school student
  • teenager
  • gay slur
  • he man action figure
  • action figure
  • ice pack
  • teen smoking
  • smoking
  • cigarette smoking
  • climbing out a window
  • brother brother relationship
  • older brother younger brother relationship
  • porn magazine
  • adult magazine
  • porn magazine collection
  • reference to william shakespeare
  • poetry
  • video arcade
  • uncle nephew relationship
  • electronic keyboard
  • nightclub
  • dance club
  • rock band
  • punk rock band
  • pda
  • public display of affection
  • man kisses a man
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Cast & crew

This Is Not Berlin Cast & Characters

Xabiani Ponce de León leads the cast as Carlos, with José Antonio Toledano as Gera and Mauro Sanchez Navarro as Nico.

Also Starring in This Is Not Berlin

· 6 more
Ratings

This Is Not Berlin Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave This Is Not Berlin 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

63 /100

This Is Not Berlin Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall balance, This Is Not Berlin stands out for its striking visual identity but is hindered by uneven narrative coherence and character development. While critics frequently note the vivid production design and panoramic compositions bolster the film’s aesthetic appeal, many also remark on a lack of substantive plot momentum and occasional emotional distance in key relationships. Some viewers found the pace sluggish and performances inconsistent despite occasional strong dramatic moments. The net impression is a film of notable ambition that remains mixed in its execution.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design and cinematography are prominent strengths. Reviewers praise the panoramic compositions and period production design for evoking 1980s Mexico City with precision. Some critics note that performance art sequences occasionally veer into pretentious excess, but most agree that the stylistic confidence and coherent color palettes make this film visually engaging overall.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers glimpses of genuine insight into youthful rebellion and personal discovery. Critics commend moments when Carlos’s maturation and interpersonal chemistry feel authentic, while others highlight inconsistent performances and occasional emotional detachment. User feedback similarly points to shallow script work that undermines character motivation. Overall, the character elements are uneven but contain sparks of meaningful resonance.

  • Story & Flow 58

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a mix of intriguing historical context and episodic pacing that can feel disjointed. Some critics find the third-act surprises compelling and appreciate the semi-autobiographical grounding, while others point to scattered subplots and a lack of cohesion between scenes. User responses often mention sluggish momentum and underdeveloped narrative arcs. The net result is an engaging concept hampered by uneven execution.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film excels through its dynamic soundtrack, immersive sound design, and visually coherent style. Commentators highlight the nervy musical choices and impactful ambient audio that reinforce the film’s era, while the bold color schemes and measured editing amplify its atmospheric depth. A few critiques mention occasional audio imbalance, but the overall sensory impact is consistently engaging and memorable.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s uneven pacing and variable emotional engagement may limit its lasting appeal. While certain scenes—particularly those capturing artistic gatherings—retain interest upon repeat viewings, the overall narrative fragmentation and occasional performance inconsistencies undermine replay value. Viewer feedback frequently cites forgettable moments that fail to encourage subsequent revisits. The film’s rewatch potential is therefore moderate but falls short of strong enduring appeal.

Plot

This Is Not Berlin Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in This Is Not Berlin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Carlos, a seventeen-year-old in Mexico City, feels out of place at home and among his peers. He and his best friend Gera hatch a small hustle, selling his father’s nude magazines to classmates, a habit that underscores how disconnected he feels from expectations at home and at school. He resists his family’s dream that he become an engineer, yet he is deeply skilled with electronics, often tinker­ing with devices long after others have given up. When he helps a friend repair an electric keyboard, the favor earns him a ride to a mythical nightclub called Aztek, a place that reveals a hidden, pulsating world beyond the ordinary corridors of everyday life.

Full summary

The whole story of This Is Not Berlin, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

This Is Not Berlin Box Office

This Is Not Berlin grossed $165 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$165

International
$165
Videos

This Is Not Berlin Trailers & Videos

The trailer of This Is Not Berlin.

Official Trailer [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know This Is Not Berlin?

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
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the seventeen-year-old protagonist?

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FAQ

This Is Not Berlin FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of This Is Not Berlin, each answered in a sentence.

How long is This Is Not Berlin?

This Is Not Berlin runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was This Is Not Berlin released?

This Is Not Berlin was released on August 9, 2019.

Who is in the cast of This Is Not Berlin?

This Is Not Berlin stars Xabiani Ponce de León as Carlos, José Antonio Toledano as Gera and Mauro Sanchez Navarro as Nico, among 10 credited actors.

How much did This Is Not Berlin make at the box office?

This Is Not Berlin grossed $165 worldwide.

How is This Is Not Berlin rated?

This Is Not Berlin has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 69 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does This Is Not Berlin have a post-credit scene?

No. This Is Not Berlin has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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