80
A languid, quietly moving love triangle.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
80
Undertow, for all its narrative tricks, has been given the rhythm and texture of real life, as well as emotional undercurrents that are haunting.
100
San Francisco Chronicle by David Wiegand
This small film's accomplishments are many, but not the least is its ability to take a human story and frame it as a parable, without losing a bit of credibility or irresistible heart.
60
Undertow's three impassioned lead performances and Fuentes-León's honest engagement with thorny matters of identity, sexuality and community still make it an easy movie to get swept up by.
80
Undertow, is sublime. Set in a small, picturesque Peruvian fishing village, it's less a coming-out tale than a magic realism–infused coming-of-consciousness love story.
60
New York Daily News by Joe Neumaier
Without excessive emotion or drama, director Javier Fuentes-León's film - and Mercado's performance - gently captures the power of emotions whose silent rattle is even stronger than reality.
80
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
In a confident yet relaxed feature debut, Fuentes-León has created a wholly unified work of art.
70
The New York Times by Manohla Dargis
A small movie with a full heart, Undertow takes an old idea - the loving, lingering ghost - and gives it reverberant, resuscitated life.
100
Boxoffice Magazine by Pam Grady
Sensual and romantic with a heavy dose of the supernatural and populated by indelible characters.