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

38%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

80%

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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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

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

In this taut and gripping drama from director/co-writer Marco Perego, Saldaña delivers arguably her most impactful performance yet in a film that mirrors today’s headlines...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 11, 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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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

Customer S

I'm a little confused by the low pretentious "film reviewers" ratings as this was a beautifully shot movie and superbly acted. I hope a lot more people go out and see this film and that it will be available for purchase and streaming at some point. It was beautifully shot and every frame could be a photograph of art! Zoe was amazing and in my opinion some of her best work that I've ever seen, and that goes for all of the cast not a weak one in the bunch. The story is heartfelt, and only a glimpse of what people in both sides of the fence are going through with immigration and sadly, sadly it's probably 100x's worse than anything this film will show you or has time to convey. Yes It does end abruptly but doesn't bother me in the least as it makes you think about what you just watched and reflect upon it. I hope one day we get the true director's cut from Marco. I highly recommend this film to anyone!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

lisa k

very disjointed and super slow. wasted potential and talent from z saldana; she was incredible.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

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Marco Perego

Director

Zoe Saldana

Esmee

Adria Arjona

Yadira

Garrett Hedlund

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The Absence of Eden: Trailer 1

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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 Saldana, Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn
Screenwriter: Marco Perego, Rick Rapoza
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Pioneer Pictures, Cinestar Pictures, Ashland Hill Media Finance, Ingenious Media
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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