The Absence of Eden

R

Released Apr 12

1h 25m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

TRAILER

for The Absence of Eden: Trailer 1

List

36%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

David K

A beautfiul and heartwrenching film, this has had my wife and I talking about real life issues for the last 2 days. The twists and compelling storytelling put you in the front seat of the lives of so many who are risking their lives daily for a better life. Incredible art and direction as well, and world class performances make this a must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

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Marco Perego

Director

Zoe Saldana

Actor

Adria Arjona

Actor

Garrett Hedlund

Shipp

Tom Waits

Actor

Chris Coy

Actor

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The Absence of Eden: Trailer 1

2:21

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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

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

Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

Despite The Absence of Eden's flaws, it will likely make viewers think about the reasons that people undertake the harrowing journey to the United States and how vulnerable they are to exploitation and violence.

Apr 17, 2024

Full Review

Julian Roman

MovieWeb

The Absence of Eden pulls no punches in its harrowing portrayal of the immigration crisis, but lacks nuance on a divisive issue that isn't black and white.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 13, 2024

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: Joe Jenckes, Susan Kirr, Daniel Negret, Stanley Preschutti, Jolene Rodriguez, Martin Scorsese, Joe Simpson, Simon Williams
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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