Overview
A profound journey through the Amazon reveals the clash between tradition and modernity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- mystical
- austere
- contemplative
- arthouse film night
- historical cinema evening
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a visually mesmerizing, thematically rich, and bracingly original meditation on nature, colonialism, and indigenous cultural destruction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dense black-and-white compositions and immersive sound design make the Amazon an emotionally and narratively active force.
The journeys of two scientists with Karamakate unfold forty years apart and expose recurring patterns of exploitation.
Karamakate is portrayed as the last survivor of his people while missionaries, rubber violence, and foreign expeditions reshape the region.
Inspired by expedition journals, the film combines historical encounters with spiritual visions and surreal Amazonian imagery.
Films like Embrace of the Serpent, and why
Tabu
shared poetic visual language, colonial critique, and mystical engagement with nature
The Mission
shared black-and-white cinematography, historical colonial setting, and spiritual atmosphere
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
shared contemplative pacing, ethnographic perspective, and conflict between indigenous knowledge and outsiders
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
shared surreal natural landscapes, meditative drama, and anti-colonial themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Ciro Guerra
- Release Date
- 2015-05-25
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (530)
Cast
- Nilbio Torres
- Antonio Bolívar
- Jan Bijvoet
- Brionne Davis
- Yauenkü Miguee
- Luigi Sciamanna
- Nicolás Cancino
- Pediwake Daniel Martínez
- José Sabogal
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Night Flight Plus, OVID, Fandor Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Embrace of the Serpent about?
- Across two expeditions separated by four decades, an Amazonian shaman confronts colonial violence, cultural extinction, and the fragile possibility of cross-cultural understanding.
- What is Embrace of the Serpent like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Embrace of the Serpent as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Embrace of the Serpent violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Embrace of the Serpent as moderate.
- What did critics think of Embrace of the Serpent?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a visually mesmerizing, thematically rich, and bracingly original meditation on nature, colonialism, and indigenous cultural destruction.
- Which films are like Embrace of the Serpent?
- Films with a similar feel include Tabu, The Mission, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
- How long is Embrace of the Serpent?
- Embrace of the Serpent runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Embrace of the Serpent?
- In United States, Embrace of the Serpent streams on Philo, Night Flight Plus, OVID, Fandor Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
