Overview
A gripping tale of unresolved justice and haunting memories unfolds as a retired investigator seeks closure.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- melancholic
- romantic
- thoughtful movie night
- international cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an engrossing, symbolically rich Argentine murder mystery elevated by Juan José Campanella's assured direction and mesmerizing performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Retired agent Benjamín Espósito turns the closed murder case into the subject of a novel while seeking personal closure.
The case is affected by unsatisfactory justice, departmental decisions, and the broader political context surrounding Argentina's justice system.
The film repeatedly links memory, desire, photographs, and the titular secret held in characters' eyes.
Benjamín's longstanding attraction to Irene remains unpursued because of their age and class differences.
Films like The Secret in Their Eyes, and why
The Official Story
shared Argentine crime drama, morally charged investigation, and political memory
Zodiac
shared intricate murder investigation, emotional obsession, and dark suspense
Decision to Leave
shared romantic longing woven through a decades-spanning crime narrative
Memories of Murder
shared retrospective mystery structure, unresolved trauma, and noir atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Juan José Campanella
- Release Date
- 2009-08-13
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 8.0 / 10 (2970)
Cast
- Ricardo Darín
- Soledad Villamil
- Pablo Rago
- Javier Godino
- Guillermo Francella
- Carla Quevedo
- Bárbara Palladino
- Alejandro Abelenda
- Mario Alarcón
- Rudy Romano
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Secret in Their Eyes about?
- A retired Argentine justice agent turns an unresolved murder investigation into a novel, confronting buried desire, political impunity, and the persistence of obsession.
- What is The Secret in Their Eyes like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Secret in Their Eyes as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Secret in Their Eyes violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Secret in Their Eyes as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Secret in Their Eyes?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an engrossing, symbolically rich Argentine murder mystery elevated by Juan José Campanella's assured direction and mesmerizing performances.
- Which films are like The Secret in Their Eyes?
- Films with a similar feel include The Official Story, Zodiac, Decision to Leave, and Memories of Murder.
- How long is The Secret in Their Eyes?
- The Secret in Their Eyes runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Secret in Their Eyes?
- In United States, The Secret in Their Eyes streams on Hulu.
