Overview
A gripping tale of survival and resilience as two siblings embark on a perilous journey to a new life.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- melancholic
- angry
- socially conscious film night
- independent cinema evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film’s visual beauty, political and cultural sensitivity, and powerful lead performances, while some found its melodrama and tragic conclusion overly manipulative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rosa and Enrique’s flight from military destruction and exploitation makes migration a vehicle for examining structural injustice.
The siblings travel from Guatemala through Mexico and across the United States–Mexico border toward Los Angeles.
The story emphasizes the siblings’ Guatemalan Indigenous roots, religious beauty, and cultural identity.
Rosa and Enrique must make life-threatening decisions and navigate exploitative work after their village is destroyed.
Films like El Norte, and why
The Grapes of Wrath
socially conscious immigrant drama with grounded performances, political anger, and hope amid hardship
In This World
humanistic migration story combining realism, family bonds, cultural identity, and institutional oppression
Sin Nombre
moving undocumented immigrant narrative focused on labor, displacement, and the uncertain promise of america
Bicycle Thieves
social-realist drama about marginalized people pursuing dignity and opportunity through dangerous circumstances
Movie Details
- Director
- Gregory Nava
- Release Date
- 1983-10-11
- Runtime
- 141 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (86)
Cast
- Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez
- David Villalpando
- Ernesto Gómez Cruz
- Lupe Ontiveros
- Trinidad Silva
- Alicia del Lago
- Mike Gomez
- Jose Martin Ruano
- Stella Quan
- Heraclio Zepeda
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is El Norte about?
- A Guatemalan brother and sister cross borders and endure exploitation while chasing safety, dignity, and the elusive promise of el Norte.
- What is El Norte like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of El Norte as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is El Norte violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in El Norte as graphic.
- What did critics think of El Norte?
- Critics broadly praised the film’s visual beauty, political and cultural sensitivity, and powerful lead performances, while some found its melodrama and tragic conclusion overly manipulative.
- Which films are like El Norte?
- Films with a similar feel include The Grapes of Wrath, In This World, Sin Nombre, and Bicycle Thieves.
- How long is El Norte?
- El Norte runs 141 minutes.
- Where can I watch El Norte?
- In United States, El Norte is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
