Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- harrowing
- tense
- oppressive
- intense thriller night
- politically engaged viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film technically accomplished and thought-provoking in its treatment of migration and border violence, but limited by predictable plotting and thin characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The migrant group's crossing is turned into a hunt by an armed vigilante, connecting survival suspense to border politics.
The barren Mexican-US borderland repeatedly denies Moises and the other migrants concealment or escape.
Moises must navigate the desert while attempting to save unarmed migrants from Sam and his dog.
The film communicates its migration and vigilantism themes through the continuous hunt across the border terrain.
Films like Desierto, and why
Sicario
shared survival thriller structure, borderland setting, and politically charged pursuit
The Naked Prey
shared minimalist manhunt, harsh wilderness, and escalating physical tension
The Rover
shared social allegory, relentless pursuit, and stark desert atmosphere
The Constant Gardener
shared contemporary political violence, survival anxiety, and morally charged thriller tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonás Cuarón
- Release Date
- 2015-04-12
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (403)
Cast
- Gael García Bernal
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan
- Diego Cataño
- Marco Pérez
- Alondra Hidalgo
- Óscar Flores Guerrero
- David Lorenzo
- Lew Temple
- Butch McCain
- Claudia Angélica Amador Castellanos
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Desierto about?
- An unarmed migrant crossing the desert becomes a merciless survival chase against a rifle-wielding vigilante and his attack dog.
- What is Desierto like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Desierto as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Desierto violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Desierto as brutal.
- What did critics think of Desierto?
- Critics generally found the film technically accomplished and thought-provoking in its treatment of migration and border violence, but limited by predictable plotting and thin characterization.
- Which films are like Desierto?
- Films with a similar feel include Sicario, The Naked Prey, The Rover, and The Constant Gardener.
- How long is Desierto?
- Desierto runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Desierto?
- In United States, Desierto streams on Philo.
