Motel Destino

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1:49

Motel Destino

Released Aug 29

1h 52m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The neon-hued Motel Destino is a roadside sex hotel under the burning blue skies of the coast of Northern Brazil, run by the boorish Elias and his frustrated, beautiful wife Dayana. When 21 year-old Heraldo finds himself at the motel, after messing up a hit and going on the run from both the police and the gang he let down, Dayana finds herself intrigued and lets him stay. As the two navigate a dance of power, desire and liberation, a dangerous plan for freedom emerges. In this tropical noir, loyalties and desires intertwine, revealing that destiny has its own enigmatic design.

Godfrey Cheshire

RogerEbert.com

His excellent cast helps keep the tale engrossing.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 29, 2025

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

The payoff feels somewhat slight, but the foreplay — the will-they-or-won’t-they and the will-he-find-out — builds up with energy and flare.

Aug 28, 2025

Full Review

Justin Chang

The New Yorker

Set at a seedy roadside motel where the clientele never stops moaning, it’s a feverishly shambling erotic thriller starring three very game actors in a romantic triangle that plays like James M. Cain with sex toys.

May 30, 2024

Full Review

Joseph Neff

Spectrum Culture

Registering as a flick best caught on a whim, preferably late at night, rather than a must-see masterpiece, Motel Destino remains true to its pulpy root inspirations.

Sep 3, 2025

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

A mildly engaging and well-shot crime thriller that suffers from style over substance and not enough surprises or palpable thrills.

Aug 26, 2025

Full Review

Clotilde Chinnici

The People's Movies

Motel Destino is a visually striking work that is worth seeing on the big screen to appreciate it entirely. Despite some faults, it remains a memorable film that is bound to surprise its audience until its very final shot.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 7, 2025

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O g

Flawed, but watchable

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/30/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 52 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

Full Review

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Karim Aïnouz

Director

Iago Xavier

Actor

Nataly Rocha

Actor

Fábio Assunção

Actor

Wislan Esmeraldo

Screenwriter

Karim Aïnouz

Screenwriter

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Motel Destino: Trailer 1

1:49

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Synopsis

The neon-hued Motel Destino is a roadside sex hotel under the burning blue skies of the coast of Northern Brazil, run by the boorish Elias and his frustrated, beautiful wife Dayana. When 21 year-old Heraldo finds himself at the motel, after messing up a hit and going on the run from both the police and the gang he let down, Dayana finds herself intrigued and lets him stay. As the two navigate a dance of power, desire and liberation, a dangerous plan for freedom emerges. In this tropical noir, loyalties and desires intertwine, revealing that destiny has its own enigmatic design.

Director: Karim Aïnouz
Producer: Janaína Bernardes, Caio Gullane, Fabiano Gullane, André Novis, Gabrielle Tana, Hélène Théodoly
Screenwriter: Wislan Esmeraldo, Karim Aïnouz, Mauricio Zacharias
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Cinema Inflamável, Gullane
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 29, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 52m