Viva

Name: Viva
Genre: Drama
Released: 2015-11-08
Duration: 1 h 40 min
Cast: Héctor Medina, Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García, Renata Maikel Machin Blanco, Luis Manuel Alvarez

2015·Movie

·1h 40min·

GoodGoodWatch score

Your score for Viva

Pick a score from 1 to 10

1 Unwatchable10 Masterpiece

7.2

917.6

60%39%

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

Viva fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

Tension6
Fast Pace4
Spectacle4

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

Family Dynamics9
Pathos8
Melancholy7

Humor

Serious throughout

Wit & Wordplay2
Dark Humor2
Situational Comedy1

World

Everyday modern life, family, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

World Immersion8
Dialogue Centrality7
Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters and performances

Character Depth9
Acting8
Direction7

Style

Standout score

Music Composition8
Music Centrality8
Cinematography7

Energy

Medium

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

Viva is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

More movies with medium energy Atmospheric movies

All energy traits

Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.

Adrenaline3High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
Scare1Frightening moments and scares.

Related traits

Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.

Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.

Heart

Medium

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

Emotionally, it's moving, melancholic, and cathartic. Much of it is about family.

More movies with medium heart Psychological movies Bittersweet movies

All heart traits

Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
Pathos8Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
Hopefulness6Optimism and uplifting resolve.

Coming of Age6Personal growth and self-discovery.
Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
Wholesome4Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Nostalgia3Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.

Related traits

Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.

Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Spiritual5Faith, meaning, and transcendence.

Humor

None

Serious throughout

Expect almost no humor.

All humor traits

Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.

Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.

World

Medium

Everyday modern life, family, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

Its world is built around everyday modern life, family, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.

More movies with medium world Psychological movies Atmospheric movies

All world traits

World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.

Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.

Related traits

Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.

Showbiz6Entertainment industry and performance.
Class & Capitalism5Wealth, power, and inequality.
Spiritual5Faith, meaning, and transcendence.

Craft

High

Standout characters and performances

The characters and performances stand out.

More movies with high craft Psychological movies Atmospheric movies

All craft traits

Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
Acting8Performance craft and presence.
Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.

Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.

Related traits

Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.

Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.

Style

High

Standout score

Look and sound: the score stand out.

More movies with high style Atmospheric movies

All style traits

Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
Music Centrality8Songs central to storytelling.
Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.

Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.

Related traits

Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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You want something to laugh at

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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

Find your voice

Jesús, a young hairdresser, works at a Havana nightclub for drag performers and dreams of being a performer himself. Encouraged by his mentor, Mama, Jesús finally gets his chance to take the stage. But when Angel, his estranged father recently released from a 15-year stint in prison, abruptly reenters his life, his world is quickly turned upside down. The macho Angel tries to squash his son’s ambition to perform in drag. Father and son clash over their opposing expectations of each other, struggling to understand one another and reconcile as a family. Shot in a gritty neighborhood far from the Havana most tourists know, Viva is a heartrending story of music, performance, and survival.

Cuban Drag SceneFather-Son ReconciliationHavana NightclubLGBTQ+ ThemesEstranged FamilyMusical PerformanceCultural ExplorationEmotional DramaGritty Realism

Actors

Héctor Medina

Jesus

Jorge Perugorría

Angel, Ángel

Luis Alberto García

Mama

Laura Aleman

Cecilia

Paula Ali

Nita

Mark O'Halloran

Ray

Crew

Directed by:

Paddy Breathnach

Written by:

Mark O'Halloran

Produced by:

Benicio del Toro, Robert Walpole, Rebecca O'Flanagan

Composed by:

Stephen Rennicks

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Viva

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Viva legally?

Viva is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Pluto TV, and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Viva worth watching?

GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 60%, and Metacritic 91). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.