Under the Volcano
During a Mexican fiesta in 1939, an alcoholic British consul spirals through one catastrophic day as his estranged wife and idealistic half-brother reach for him.
Overview
A poignant exploration of love and despair set against a vibrant Mexican backdrop.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- melancholic
- oppressive
- serious film night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the literary drama compelling and praised Albert Finney’s commanding performance despite its demanding, bleak material.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Geoffrey Firmin’s sustained drinking governs the single-day narrative and accelerates the collapse of his marriage and social identity.
The outbreak of war and the shadow of fascism frame Geoffrey’s disintegration as an image of a menaced world.
The plot follows Geoffrey, Yvonne, and Hugh through one decisive day in a Mexican town during the fiesta.
The Mexican Day of the Dead setting and fiesta atmosphere surround Geoffrey’s alcoholic disrepair and marital crisis.
Films like Under the Volcano, and why
Leaving Las Vegas
psychological alcoholism drama, marital collapse, and oppressive atmosphere
Days of Wine and Roses
literary tragedy centered on addiction, self-destruction, and a fractured intimate relationship
The Passenger
brooding existential drama combining personal disintegration with political and historical unease
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
intense relationship drama shaped by alcoholism, emotional ruin, and commanding performances
Movie Details
- Director
- John Huston
- Release Date
- 1984-06-20
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (108)
Cast
- Albert Finney
- Jacqueline Bisset
- Anthony Andrews
- Ignacio López Tarso
- Katy Jurado
- James Villiers
- Dawson Bray
- Carlos Riquelme
- Jim McCarthy
- José René Ruiz
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Under the Volcano about?
- During a Mexican fiesta in 1939, an alcoholic British consul spirals through one catastrophic day as his estranged wife and idealistic half-brother reach for him.
- What is Under the Volcano like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Under the Volcano as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Under the Volcano violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Under the Volcano as moderate.
- What did critics think of Under the Volcano?
- Critics generally found the literary drama compelling and praised Albert Finney’s commanding performance despite its demanding, bleak material.
- Which films are like Under the Volcano?
- Films with a similar feel include Leaving Las Vegas, Days of Wine and Roses, The Passenger, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
- How long is Under the Volcano?
- Under the Volcano runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Under the Volcano?
- In United States, Under the Volcano streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
