Post Mortem
A morgue typist’s obsessive search for his vanished neighbor unfolds against the bureaucratic horror of Chile’s 1973 coup.
Overview
In a time of political upheaval, one man's obsession leads him on a desperate quest for love.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- eerie
- bleak
- unsentimental
- arthouse film night
- historical cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an eerie, unsentimental, and formally distinctive fusion of human comedy with the historical tragedy of the Chilean coup.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mario’s fantasies about Nancy intensify after her disappearance, binding private desire to the coup’s violence.
Mario types autopsy reports in a morgue while the coup produces an expanding stream of corpses.
Mario remains focused on his personal search while the army raid and arrests reveal the broader repression around him.
Critics specifically noted the washed-out color, low-key performances, and unusual humor amid the coup’s brutality.
Films like Post Mortem, and why
Tony Manero
shared austere historical drama, political repression, and psychologically detached protagonists
No
shared latin american political violence, bleak atmosphere, and morally compromised central character
The Death of Maria Malibran
shared historical tragedy, oppressive atmosphere, and surreal emotional distance
The Official Story
shared morgue-adjacent imagery, institutional cruelty, and harrowing political drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Pablo Larraín
- Release Date
- 2010-07-02
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (65)
Cast
- Alfredo Castro
- Antonia Zegers
- Jaime Vadell
- Amparo Noguera
- Marcelo Alonso
- Marcial Tagle
- Claudia di Girólamo
- Luis Gnecco
- Aldo Parodi
- Ernesto Malbrán
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- OVID
- Rent
- Pijama Films
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Post Mortem about?
- A morgue typist’s obsessive search for his vanished neighbor unfolds against the bureaucratic horror of Chile’s 1973 coup.
- What is Post Mortem like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Post Mortem as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Post Mortem violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Post Mortem as graphic.
- What did critics think of Post Mortem?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an eerie, unsentimental, and formally distinctive fusion of human comedy with the historical tragedy of the Chilean coup.
- Which films are like Post Mortem?
- Films with a similar feel include Tony Manero, No, The Death of Maria Malibran, and The Official Story.
- How long is Post Mortem?
- Post Mortem runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Post Mortem?
- In United States, Post Mortem streams on OVID.
