Tigers Are Not Afraid (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Issa Lopez
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Videocine
- Budget
- $26M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Issa Lopez
- Paola Lara as Estrella
- Ianis Guerrero as Caco
- Rodrigo Cortes as Pop
- Hanssel Casillas as Tucsi
Also Starring in Tigers Are Not Afraid
· 3 more- Nery Arredondo Morro
- Tenoch Huerta El Chino
- Juan Ramón López El Shine
More from Issa Lopez
One more film directed by Issa Lopez: Casi divas.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 68% User score
See on TMDB
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
Tigers Are Not Afraid Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip "Shine's Story" Clip
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
- 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 tragic event occurs outside Estrella's school?
Seen Tigers Are Not Afraid?
Movies Like Tigers Are Not Afraid
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tiger Stripes, The Tiger Rising and A Tiger Walks.
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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