Rotting in the Sun

"A (almost) true mystery."

2023 1h 51m ES

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 116

ComedyThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A filmmaker facing an existential crisis goes on a vacation to a Mexican gay nudist beach, where he meets a social media celebrity who convinces him to collaborate with him on his new TV show. But one disappears and another embarks on a wild journey through Mexico City to find him.

“A (almost) true mystery.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Sebastián Silva
Sebastián Silva
Jordan Firstman
Jordan Firstman
Catalina Saavedra
Señora Vero
Mateo Riestra
Mateo
Martine Gutierrez
Martine
Alberto Rafael Cortés
Beto
Anajo Aldrete
Renata
Gustavo Melgarejo
Lalo

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Sebastián Silva
Writers: Sebastián Silva, Pedro Peirano
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: Chile, Mexico, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 3 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Chile, Mexico, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Sebastián Silva, shot by Gabriel Díaz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Nascuy Linares. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Santiago Cendeja shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Sebastián Silva and Jordan Firstman and Catalina Saavedra carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A (almost) true mystery.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Sebastián Silva directs. Gabriel Díaz behind the camera. Nascuy Linares scores. Santiago Cendeja cuts. Produced in Chile, Mexico, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 3 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
3International production across 3 countries: Chile, Mexico, United States of America.
4Directed by Sebastián Silva, shot by Gabriel Díaz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Nascuy Linares. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Santiago Cendeja shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Sebastián Silva and Jordan Firstman and Catalina Saavedra carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "A (almost) true mystery.".
9IMDB entry: tt24146896 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 14 themes, including "mexico city, mexico", "language barrier", "dark comedy", "satire".

The technical file

Cinematography: Gabriel Díaz
Original score: Nascuy Linares
Editing: Santiago Cendeja
Production design: Ana Moshi Ibarra
Costume design: Luba Ramirez
Makeup / hair: Alfredo Garcia
VFX supervisor: Thomas Boda
Sound: Ezequiel Pinedo
Stunt coordinator: Hugo Aguilera
Runtime: 111 min · 1h 51m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Box office: $14,707
Original language: ES
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: Rotting in the Sun (2023)

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Sebastián Silva

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Brent Marchant2023-09-14
★ 7/10
When an overwrought, angst-ridden, drug addicted filmmaker (Sebastián Silva playing a fictional version of himself) unexpectedly meets a wacky, unhinged comedian/social media influencer (Jordan Firstman playing a fictional version of himself) at a gay Mexican beach resort, the troubled director does all he can to distance himself from his new acquaintance when he becomes interminably annoying, especially in his incessant, unfocused pitches for collaborating on a new movie project. But, when the financially strapped filmmaker returns to his home in Mexico City, he reluctantly relents on the comic’s offer when all his other production proposals are turned down by would-be backers. He thus invites his new writing partner to come stay with him while they hammer out the script, but, upon his collaborator’s arrival, he finds the director has mysteriously disappeared. What ensues is a humorous gay comedy-mystery in which clues about the disappearance slowly emerge. At the same time, however, the story also delves into some surprisingly mature and insightful themes, developments very much in contrast to the film’s screwball narrative and its somewhat manic opening act. Writer-director Silva’s latest thus presents viewers with an intriguing combination of plot elements that one might think shouldn’t belong in the same picture but that work surprisingly well together. While it’s true that the ending seems somewhat abrupt and that some segments run on a little too long (particularly in the first half-hour), with a few others that could have been omitted entirely, the majority of the material nevertheless holds together well, making for an entertaining, if somewhat offbeat, time at the movies. Sensitive viewers are strongly cautioned, however, that the film features numerous scenes with explicit depictions of gay male sexuality, so those who are easily given to offense may wish to pass on this unrated release. Those considerations aside, though, this is a film that’s more than it might superficially seem, particularly the further one gets into the story. It’s quite an eye-opening ride into a world that many may be unfamiliar with, but it’s also one that simultaneously makes us laugh and makes us think – a rare combination to be found in the same picture, to be sure.
CinemaSerf2024-01-26
★ 7/10
Most folks here just use their own names, so it's easy to follow the characterisations as dysfunctional, ketamine-loving, "Sebastián" (Silva) encounters the drowning "influencer" Jordan Firstman in trouble just off a nudist beach. Rescued and grateful, the doggy-paddler invites his new saviour to hang out with him and his collection of "accommodating" gay groupies. This isn't quite his scene though, especially when his buddy starts posting stuff that "Sebastián" doesn't really want seen. Anyway, Firstman offers him a role working on his new project and decides to move in while they work it through. Silva has a lot to do on this film so he cleverly arranges that with the help of the maid "Vero" (Catalina Saavedra) and a rather ugly looking brown sofa, he manages to write himself out of the rest of this, increasingly mysterious, little drama that for Jordan could now be called "Where's Sebastián?". Now we all know what has happened as we continue to follow the almost farcical consequences as tracks have to be covered and Firstman vacillates between annoyed to concerned to perplexed to... You get the drift. If you like his style of comedy and delivery, then you'll enjoy this rather ripe and quick-fired look at all things media, gay drug-induced and shallow - indeed, there are few stereotypes left unharmed by this - but it's never dull and though the ending is distinctly weak, I thought this was quite a fun film that shies away from nothing - so don't watch if you've an allergy to male genitalia and beach shagging.