The read
A Balasaur Score of 71 out of 100, drawn from IMDb 6.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 88%. Critics rate it 24 points higher than audiences do. Scores higher than 77% of the 6,930 2010s drama movies in this catalog. It runs a compact 1h 30m. Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Synopsis
The fictional Father Ángel de la Cruz is based on Legion of Christ founder Marcial Maciel, whose long history of child abuse was not addressed until 2006 and only publicly acknowledged in 2009. But director Luis Urquiza chooses to structure his film through the largely uncomprehending, wondering eyes of 13-year-old Julián, who travels from the arms of his loving pastoral family into the austere, hallowed halls of the seminary. Singling out the boy as his intimate disciple, installing him in his palatial private quarters and redubbing him “Sacramento Santos,” Father Ángel begins Julian’s instruction into the mysteries of “perfect obedience,” whose cardinal rule is: Never question a superior’s actions.
Ratings
Critics rate it 24 points higher than audiences do.
55 audience votes
Key crew
- Luis UrquizaDirector
- Ernesto AlcocerWriter
- Luis UrquizaWriter
Cast
- Juan Manuel BernalPadre Ángel de la Cruz
- Alfonso HerreraJulián Santos (Adulto)
- Luis Ernesto FrancoPadre Robles
- Sebastián AguirreJulián 'Sacramento' Santos
- Alejandro De HoyosAlberto Martínez
- Claudette MailléSeñora Alcérreca
- Juan Ignacio ArandaPadre Galaviz
- Miguel LoyoAndrés Lomelí
- Luciana González de LeónSierva de Cristo
- Juan Carlos ColomboPadre Ángel de la Cruz (anciano)
- Dagoberto GamaArzobispo
- José BarrenecheaÁlvaro Cortuela
