'Pedro Páramo' Reviews: "if unfamiliar with the source material, many may feel turned off by its nonlinear plot"

         On November 6, 2024, Netflix released 'Pedro Páramo', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, which is "Based on Juan Rulfo’s masterpiece novel, considered one of the most important books in the history of Mexico and Latin America, the novel narrates the story of Juan Preciado, who upon his mother’s death, goes to the remote village where he was born in search of his father, Pedro Páramo. He encounters a ghost town, where he meets a series of mysterious people and learns about his dead father’s ruthless quest for wealth and power. The past makes itself present as we learn the truth behind Pedro Páramo’s own search for the love he once knew as a child. The line between the dead and the living and the past and the present is constantly blurred in this surreal tale of desire, hope, regret and resentment." The ensemble cast includes Manuel García-Rulfo, Tenoch Huerta, Delores Heredia, Ilse Salas, and Héctor Kotsifakis. Read the full review round-up below.

        Christian Zilko of indieWire says, "Even when the storytelling falls short, Pedro Páramo never fails to offer up ideas worth pondering. The theme of forgiveness unsurprisingly looms heavily over the film, which oozes Catholicism from every frame." Adding, "Prieto — a legendary cinematographer who shot “The Irishman,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Barbie” before stepping into the director’s chair on his own — translates Rulfo’s prose to the big screen with all of the visual mastery that cinephiles have come to expect. But while there’s still every reason to believe he has a bright directing career ahead of him, the storytelling of “Pedro Páramo” is too muddy, lethargic, and repetitive to make much of a narrative impact. Much of that is likely intentional, as the film prioritizes the overwhelming evil that Páramo exudes over any specific plot point. But the character of Juan is too one-dimensional to elicit sufficient audience investment in the tragic memories he encounters."

       Sara Clements of Next Best Picture writes, ”Pedro Páramo” can often feel weighed down by its own story, as its runtime is too little to begin to capture its full scope. Additionally, if unfamiliar with the source material, many may feel turned off by its nonlinear plot." 

Photo by Alice Voigt on Unsplash

        Brennan Klein of Screen Rant was less impressed, stating, "Oddly, the sound design of Pedro Páramo is even better than the cinematography, using hushed whispers, stamping feet, and many other aspects of the sonic landscape of Comala to unsettle and overwhelm. These solid elements prevent the movie from being a miserable slog, but for the most part, it is an adaptation that fails to argue for its own existence when simply sitting down to read or reread the novel would categorically be a much more pleasurable experience."