Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- dreamy
- wistful
- sincere
- romantic evening
- cinematic comfort watch
What critics said
Critics largely viewed the adaptation as a weak, overly sentimental fantasy romance despite its evocative premise and lead performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tilo must follow the First Mother's rules while pursuing her attraction to Doug.
Tilo carries an Indian mystical tradition into her spice shop and relationships in San Francisco.
Tilo's prophetic abilities and responsive spices operate within an ordinary neighborhood shop.
Tilo uses spices to help clients achieve their desires, while the spices also punish her disobedience.
Films like The Mistress of Spices, and why
Practical Magic
shared magical realism, cross-cultural romance, and emotionally heightened fantasy atmosphere
The Namesake
shared immigrant community setting, romantic longing, and mystical storytelling
Bride and Prejudice
shared Indian diasporic themes, romance, and visually stylized emotional fantasy
Like Water for Chocolate
shared female-centered magical romance and conflict between personal desire and duty
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Mayeda Berges
- Release Date
- 2005-09-11
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (166)
Cast
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
- Dylan McDermott
- Nitin Ganatra
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Caroline Chikezie
- Anupam Kher
- Shaheen Khan
- Sonny Gill
- Nina Young
- Toby Marlow
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium 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 The Mistress of Spices about?
- A gifted spice keeper in San Francisco risks her mystical calling when a forbidden love awakens desires she was sworn to suppress.
- What is The Mistress of Spices like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Mistress of Spices as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Mistress of Spices violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Mistress of Spices as mild.
- What did critics think of The Mistress of Spices?
- Critics largely viewed the adaptation as a weak, overly sentimental fantasy romance despite its evocative premise and lead performance.
- Which films are like The Mistress of Spices?
- Films with a similar feel include Practical Magic, The Namesake, Bride and Prejudice, and Like Water for Chocolate.
- How long is The Mistress of Spices?
- The Mistress of Spices runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Mistress of Spices?
- In United States, The Mistress of Spices streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
