Machuca

2004·Movie
1h 56min

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Machuca fingerprint

Big heart, immersive world, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Violence5
  • Fast Pace4

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Pathos9
  • Coming of Age9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody5
  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Cringe Humor2

World

History, politics, and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout characters, direction, and performances

  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Two boys observe a political coup in their native Chile.

Santiago, capital of Chile during the Marxist government of elected, highly controversial president Salvador Allende. Father McEnroe supports his leftist views by introducing a program at the prestigious "collegio" (Catholic prep school) St. Patrick to allow free admission of some proletarian kids. One of them is Pedro Machuca, slum-raised son of the cleaning lady in Gonzalo Infante's liberal-bourgeois home. Yet the new classmates become buddies, paradoxically protesting together as Gonzalo gets adopted by Pedro's slum family and gang. But the adults spoil that too, not in the least when general Pinochet's coup ousts Allende, and supporters such as McEnroe.
Historical Coming-of-AgePolitical DramaClass DivideChilean HistoryChildhood FriendshipSocial CommentaryPoignantTragicCharacter-Driven

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Machuca

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Machuca legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Fandor. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Machuca worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79/100 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 87%, and Metacritic 76). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Machuca rated?

ViolenceDisturbing imagery

Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Machuca?

1 h 56 min

Machuca runs 1 h 56 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Machuca?

Critics82
Audiences76

Yes. Critics average 82 and audiences 76 out of 100, so both groups see Machuca much the same way.

Was Machuca a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$3 million

Yes. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $3 million worldwide, 2.1 times its budget.

What language is Machuca in?

SpanishEnglish

It was made in Spanish, with some English. Produced in Chile, France, Spain, United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Machuca?

43BBBHBMBSCACIDKDODZEGESFRGFGI+29

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Machuca in 43 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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