Open Your Eyes

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Open Your Eyes

R

Released Dec 19, 1997

1h 57m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Handsome 25-year-old Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) had it all -- a successful career, expensive cars, a swank bachelor's pad, and an endless string of beautiful and willing women. He is then thrown into a strange psychological mystery after a car accident scars his face and lands him in prison.

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Critics Consensus

Director Alejandro Amenábar tackles some heady issues with finesse and clarity in Open Your Eyes, a gripping exploration of existentialism and the human spirit.

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Even if the script (written by the director and Mateo Gil) and direction are patchy, the obsessive theme is gripping.

Jun 8, 2007

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Time Out

This is so smart, mischievous and stylish, you'll instantly want to see it again.

Jan 26, 2006

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Sergio Benítez

Espinof

The filmmaker's imaginative performance is a permanent reason for admiration. [Full Review in Spanish]

Apr 15, 2020

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Blake French

Filmcritic.com

If Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch had collaborated on a project, the result might have been something like Open Your Eyes."

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2009

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Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 5/5

Aug 7, 2008

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D P

I know this came first, but I can't help but to compare to Vanilla Sky. I think the concept is very interesting. I have never been so attracted to this story that I wanted to watch it repeatedly, but it is very interesting. I think if I had to pick, the American version probably appealed to me more. I think it's very interesting that Hollywood has to keep stealing fresh ideas from other cultures because the industry is so averse to outsiders.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

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Craig B

Open Your Eyes, the film which inspired 'Vanilla Sky', is a reasonable watch, not least just to watch a young Penelope Cruz (in 'all her glory', as well). Certainly intriguing and keeps you guessing. I won't declare it's better or worse than Vanilla Sky, because I didn't really go much on that film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

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Trevor W

Only reason I'm giving this 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because the remake "Vanilla Sky" actually managed to out do it. If this were the only version, it would be 5 stars.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

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Shioka O

I watched this after "Vanilla Sky", and this is the original and much better than the American remake. It's more sympathetic and better narrative. Less entertaining but just right for the psychological sci-fi story. Now I think that another problem of the American one was casting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

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Alec B

A memorable twist to be sure but the psychological storytelling, which really gets into the weeds regarding deep seated masculine desires and fears, is far more compelling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

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Dani G

Magnificent film that got a remake in Vanilla Sky. Noriega, Cruz, Martínez, Nimri. all excellent in their roles. Maybe confusing at first, but very well constructed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

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Alejandro Amenábar

Director

Eduardo Noriega

César

Penélope Cruz

Sofia

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Synopsis

Handsome 25-year-old Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) had it all -- a successful career, expensive cars, a swank bachelor's pad, and an endless string of beautiful and willing women. He is then thrown into a strange psychological mystery after a car accident scars his face and lands him in prison.

Director: Alejandro Amenábar
Producer: Fernando Bovaira, José Luis Cuerda
Screenwriter: Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment
Production Co: Lucky Red
Rating: R (Some Strong Sexuality|Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 5, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $368.2K
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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