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Mystery horror film

Tigers Are Not Afraid (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Tigers Are Not Afraid (2019) movie poster

Tigers Are Not Afraid is a 2019 mystery horror film directed by Issa Lopez, starring Paola Lara as Estrella, Ianis Guerrero and Rodrigo Cortes. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes and was made on a reported $26 million budget. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
Echo Score
80
Metascore
76
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Tigers Are Not Afraid (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Issa Lopez
Genres
Mystery , Fantasy , Horror
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$26M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Tigers Are Not Afraid About?

The premise of Tigers Are Not Afraid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young girl's world is shattered when her mother disappears, leaving her vulnerable and alone in a dangerous city. She finds temporary refuge with a group of other orphaned children living on the streets, but their fragile existence is threatened when they unknowingly stir up dark forces. As unsettling events unfold, the children must confront their fears and fight to survive a terrifying and surreal ordeal that tests the boundaries of their reality.

Tigers Are Not Afraid Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • street child
  • magical realism
  • reference to organized crime
  • group of children
  • mexican horror
  • produced by director
  • title directed by female
  • title produced by female
  • writer director producer
  • written by director
  • written by producer
  • latin american horror
+16 more
  • title written by female
  • children
  • theft
  • stealing a cell phone
  • cell phone
  • stealing a gun
  • gun
  • tiger
  • fish
  • supernatural horror
  • gang
  • organized crime
  • homeless children
  • abandoned building
  • f rated
  • one word title
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Cast & crew

Tigers Are Not Afraid Cast & Characters

Paola Lara leads the cast as Estrella, with Ianis Guerrero as Caco and Rodrigo Cortes as Pop. Directed by Issa Lopez; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Tigers Are Not Afraid

· 3 more
From the director

More from Issa Lopez

One more film directed by Issa Lopez: Casi divas.

Full filmography
Ratings

Tigers Are Not Afraid Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Tigers Are Not Afraid 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

80 /100

Tigers Are Not Afraid Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Tigers Are Not Afraid excels in visual and emotional resonance while showing some unevenness in narrative clarity. Critics praised its haunting imagery and fearless direction, highlighting its fusion of grim realism with magical elements. Audiences similarly lauded the strong performances and atmospheric tension, even as a few pointed to occasional pacing lags and ambiguous thematic threads. The film leaves a memorable impression through its vivid style and impactful moments, despite minor structural inconsistencies.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film presents bold visual compositions and clear directorial vision. Critics noted its unforgettable imagery and strong cinematography, with occasional flourishes of magical fantasy enhancing the urban setting. While some ideas felt underdeveloped, the overall production design and editing cohere into a striking aesthetic. The film maintains a powerful visual identity throughout.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    In terms of Character & Emotion, performances by the young cast stand out as a core asset. Observers highlighted nuanced, mature portrayals that anchor the film's emotional weight, emphasizing genuine chemistry and deep empathy. Although the narrative offers limited backstory for some figures, the emotive delivery sustains audience investment. The result is an affecting ensemble that drives the story’s heart.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative’s originality and thematic ambition earn praise, blending social realism with fantasy in unexpected ways. However, reviewers cited occasional pacing lulls and a lack of clear moral resolution, leading to a few moments of uneven engagement. Despite these structural ambiguities, the plot remains compelling through its inventive ideas and emotional stakes. The storyline ultimately offers a fascinating, if occasionally fragmented, journey.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film delivers rich soundscapes and haunting imagery that heighten the supernatural atmosphere. Critics commended the effective use of score, sound design, and CG effects to evoke tension and wonder, while noting moments of overlush fantasy. The visual style, grounded in a measured color palette and dynamic framing, consistently reinforces the story’s mood. The sensory elements combine to form an immersive environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s striking visuals and emotional depth suggest strong lasting appeal. The blend of genre elements and thematic complexity encourages further viewings to unpack its layered symbolism. Yet, the occasional narrative opacity may deter some viewers from repeat watches. On balance, the combination of atmosphere and performance supports a rewarding rewatch experience.

Plot

Tigers Are Not Afraid Plot Summary

What happens in Tigers Are Not Afraid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Estrella is a young girl living in a Mexican city that has been ravaged by the Mexican Drug War. While engaged in a fairy tale writing assignment, her classroom is suddenly interrupted by the sound of gunfire outside, creating a panic among the students. In the chaos, Estrella’s teacher gives her three pieces of chalk, claiming they hold the power to grant three wishes. Shortly after this harrowing incident, school classes are suspended indefinitely.

Full summary

The whole story of Tigers Are Not Afraid, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Tigers Are Not Afraid Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Clip "Shine's Story" Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Tigers Are Not Afraid?

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 tragic event occurs outside Estrella's school?

Seen Tigers Are Not Afraid?

FAQ

Tigers Are Not Afraid FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Tigers Are Not Afraid, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Tigers Are Not Afraid?

Tigers Are Not Afraid runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Tigers Are Not Afraid released?

Tigers Are Not Afraid was released on August 23, 2019.

Who directed Tigers Are Not Afraid?

Tigers Are Not Afraid was directed by Issa Lopez.

More films by Issa Lopez

Who is in the cast of Tigers Are Not Afraid?

Tigers Are Not Afraid stars Paola Lara as Estrella, Ianis Guerrero as Caco and Rodrigo Cortes as Pop, among 7 credited actors.

What was the budget of Tigers Are Not Afraid?

Tigers Are Not Afraid had a reported budget of $26 million.

How is Tigers Are Not Afraid rated?

Tigers Are Not Afraid has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Tigers Are Not Afraid have a post-credit scene?

No. Tigers Are Not Afraid has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Tigers Are Not Afraid in?

The original language of Tigers Are Not Afraid is Spanish.

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