The Untamed
A dissatisfied Mexican mother and her hidden queer circle are drawn toward an alien force that makes forbidden desire impossible to resist.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- disturbing
- erotic
- surreal
- late night arthouse viewing
- halloween horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious blend of fantastical, erotic, and disturbing elements, finding its unsettling pull stronger than its tonal unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The mysterious being in the forest exerts an irresistible sexual and emotional pull on Alejandra, Fabián, and others.
The candy factory, hospital, home, and nearby forest are rendered as oppressive environments shaped by sexual secrecy and social judgment.
The plot links marital unhappiness, homophobia, hypocrisy, and family values in a small Mexican city.
Verónica directs the others to an isolated hut where an unexplained entity promises relief from their problems.
Films like The Untamed, and why
Under the Skin
shared arthouse horror, sexual transgression, and unsettling body-centered themes
Thelma
shared provocative lgbtq+ themes, visceral intimacy, and psychologically disturbing surrealism
Huesera: The Bone Woman
shared mexican social critique, oppressive family structures, and uncanny supernatural horror
Possession
shared erotic horror, unstable desire, and deliberately disturbing tonal ambiguity
Movie Details
- Director
- Amat Escalante
- Release Date
- 2016-05-15
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (218)
Cast
- Ruth Ramos
- Simone Bucio
- Jesús Meza
- Eden Villavicencio
- Kenny Johnston
- Pablo López Pérez
- Zair Alberto Gutiérrez
- Oscar Escalante
- Bernarda Trucha
- Andrea Peláez
Where to watch in United States
- 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 The Untamed about?
- A dissatisfied Mexican mother and her hidden queer circle are drawn toward an alien force that makes forbidden desire impossible to resist.
- What is The Untamed like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Untamed as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Untamed violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Untamed as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Untamed?
- Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious blend of fantastical, erotic, and disturbing elements, finding its unsettling pull stronger than its tonal unevenness.
- Which films are like The Untamed?
- Films with a similar feel include Under the Skin, Thelma, Huesera: The Bone Woman, and Possession.
- How long is The Untamed?
- The Untamed runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Untamed?
- In United States, The Untamed is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
