Waiting for the Hearse
An elderly matriarch’s inheritance dispute turns an Argentine family reunion into a ferocious, absurdist comedy of social neglect and hypocrisy.
Overview
A family reunion spirals into chaos as relatives bicker over inheritance, revealing the absurdity of familial bonds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- caustic
- cult movie night
- dark comedy night
What critics said
Although initially received coolly, the film has become a cult classic praised as a sharp, enduring satire of Argentine social attitudes and disregard for the elderly.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The family’s quarrel over Mamá Cora’s care and inheritance reflects critiques of Argentine idiosyncrasy and post-dictatorship society.
Mamá Cora’s living arrangements and the relatives’ reluctance to care for her expose disregard for senior people.
The anniversary reunion rapidly becomes a furious, absurd argument among siblings and spouses.
Disturbing breaking news interrupts the inheritance dispute and drives the family’s reactions through misunderstanding.
Films like Waiting for the Hearse, and why
The Exterminating Angel
Shared bitter family satire, escalating domestic conflict, and darkly comic treatment of social hypocrisy.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Shared claustrophobic ensemble structure, savage social comedy, and grotesque exposure of bourgeois behavior.
Death at a Funeral
Shared mordant black humor, dysfunctional family dynamics, and comedic confrontation with mortality.
Movie Details
- Director
- Alejandro Doria
- Release Date
- 1985-05-06
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (157)
Cast
- Luis Brandoni
- China Zorrilla
- Antonio Gasalla
- Julio De Grazia
- Betiana Blum
- Mónica Villa
- Juan Manuel Tenuta
- Andrea Tenuta
- Lidia Catalano
- Darío Grandinetti
Common questions
- What is Waiting for the Hearse about?
- An elderly matriarch’s inheritance dispute turns an Argentine family reunion into a ferocious, absurdist comedy of social neglect and hypocrisy.
- What is Waiting for the Hearse like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Waiting for the Hearse as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Waiting for the Hearse violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Waiting for the Hearse as mild.
- What did critics think of Waiting for the Hearse?
- Although initially received coolly, the film has become a cult classic praised as a sharp, enduring satire of Argentine social attitudes and disregard for the elderly.
- Which films are like Waiting for the Hearse?
- Films with a similar feel include The Exterminating Angel, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and Death at a Funeral.
- How long is Waiting for the Hearse?
- Waiting for the Hearse runs 87 minutes.
