Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- tense
- intimate
- ambiguous
- arthouse film night
- queer cinema showcase
What critics said
Critics and festival jurors recognized an original, sophisticated blend of homoerotic desire, suspense, and dramatic tension, while some found the film slow and commercially narrow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martín deliberately tests Sebastián's limits while pursuing intimacy with his sports coach.
The plot combines Martín's romantic pursuit of Sebastián with escalating dramatic tension and psychological uncertainty.
Martín's desperate longing for Sebastián's affection drives his increasingly intrusive choices.
Sebastián is both distancing and nurturing toward Martín, leaving their relationship ethically and emotionally unstable.
Films like Absent, and why
The Pass
shared queer desire, psychological tension, and ambiguous interpersonal boundaries
Stranger by the Lake
shared homoerotic suspense, power imbalance, and restrained dramatic atmosphere
Weekend
shared intimate queer drama, unrequited attraction, and emotional ambiguity
The History Boys
shared adolescent desire, teacher student tension, and psychologically charged drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Marco Berger
- Release Date
- 2011-07-27
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (57)
Cast
- Carlos Echevarría
- Javier De Pietro
- Antonella Costa
- Alejandro Barbero
- Rocío Pavón
- Luis Mango
- Lautaro Machaca
- Juan Alsina
- Nicolás Fernández Rubio
- Laura Dozzo
Common questions
- What is Absent about?
- A young Argentine student turns an intense crush on his sports coach into a dangerous test of intimacy, desire, and ethical limits.
- What is Absent like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Absent as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Absent violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Absent.
- What did critics think of Absent?
- Critics and festival jurors recognized an original, sophisticated blend of homoerotic desire, suspense, and dramatic tension, while some found the film slow and commercially narrow.
- Which films are like Absent?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pass, Stranger by the Lake, Weekend, and The History Boys.
- How long is Absent?
- Absent runs 87 minutes.
