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The Absence of Eden

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2:21

The Absence of Eden

R

Released Apr 12, 2024

1h 25m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

The Absence of Eden takes place at the border between the United States and Mexico -- a hellish landscape inhabited by coyotes, armed officers, desperate immigrants, and refugees. When Esmee (Zoe Saldaña), a young woman working as a private dancer in Mexico, is forced to commit a violent act of self-defense that results in the death of a cartel member, she flees her homeland for sanctuary in the United States. Guided by a ruthless Coyote and a group of undocumented immigrants, she befriends a young mother and her daughter along the way. Before crossing the border, the mother is taken from the group, and Esmee promises to protect her daughter and help them reunite again in America, touching off an interlocking story about people struggling to survive on America's border with Mexico.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

All the lead actors are pretty good and well-enough directed by Perego. But there’s a grim, hopeless flatness about the script’s tragedy-flecked momentum, timely enough these days but not exactly moving the conversation along.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 5, 2025

Full Review

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

The wonderful Zoe Saldaña plays Esmee, a Mexican migrant desperately trying to escape the tentacles of human and drug trafficking on both sides of the border.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2024

Full Review

Carlos Aguilar

Variety

A strong calling card for Perego.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Clotilde Chinnici

Loud and Clear Reviews

Overall, The Absence of Eden is undoubtedly a much-needed film in today’s political scenario. This is especially true given the upcoming elections in the United States, which seem to always spark discussions around immigration and border policies.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 14, 2024

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The Absence of Eden has an absence of a cohesive plot. This clumsy drama portrays multiple sides of undocumented immigration and law enforcement in the U.S., but the story falls apart in the last dreadful 30 minutes.

May 4, 2024

Full Review

Murjani Rawls

Substream Magazine

There are deeper issues that require more digging, and the film shines a light on them, but the pull of roping things together doesn’t allow it to invest in making needed statements definitively.

Apr 18, 2024

Full Review

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Audience Member

Some compelling clips with no story and a terrible ending. I think they had some deeper meaning they were trying to portray, but the whole thing just led to nothing.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/25

Full Review

B C

It won’t let me give zero stars. I see what this movie is attempting stylistically but it does not achieve it. Thus zero stars. Z.S. Is great per the usual, but that can’t save it. (You’re not Terrence Malick)

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

Michael M

This is a terrible movie. Super slow with zero resolutions, to the characters. Sitting through this was painful and I should’ve just hit myself in the foot with a hammer instead.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

Tonia R

This movie was written so good!. Not many writers or film makers grasp the accuracy of violence that occur while trying to come to this country for a “better life.” I think because Hollywood isn’t “the place” for the deep realities of pain, and human suffering. As most Americans can’t even fathom, because our natural born opportunities. Like our Great Grandparents, the benefits we gain from their suffering just for freedom to have. It’s well directed, Zoe Saldana is so amazing. I feel her passion throughout the movie like this is from her heart aka: knowing her background. The actors were all so amazing in capturing their character. It just feels real. I recommend watching it, just be ready for all type of emotions. Best movie I have watched in a long time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Lisa P

Great film. Amazing directorial debut for Marco Perego.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

Full Review

james i

It was good but I felt like it would work better as a tv show there was no resolutions to the 2 main stories. I was left with to many questions and wanting to know the fate of the main characters.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

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Synopsis

The Absence of Eden takes place at the border between the United States and Mexico -- a hellish landscape inhabited by coyotes, armed officers, desperate immigrants, and refugees. When Esmee (Zoe Saldaña), a young woman working as a private dancer in Mexico, is forced to commit a violent act of self-defense that results in the death of a cartel member, she flees her homeland for sanctuary in the United States. Guided by a ruthless Coyote and a group of undocumented immigrants, she befriends a young mother and her daughter along the way. Before crossing the border, the mother is taken from the group, and Esmee promises to protect her daughter and help them reunite again in America, touching off an interlocking story about people struggling to survive on America's border with Mexico.

Director: Marco Perego
Producer: Karl Herrmann, Robert Kravis, Alexandra Milchan, Marco Perego, Zoe Saldaña, Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn
Screenwriter: Marco Perego, Rick Rapoza
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Ashland Hill Media Finance, Pioneer Pictures, Ingenious Media, Cinestar Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Violent Content|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 2024, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.0K
Runtime: 1h 25m

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