The Kings of the World

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The Kings of the World

TV-MA

2022

1h 43m

Adventure

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Rá, Culebro, Sere, Winny and Nano, five street kids from Medellin, five kings without a kingdom, with no law and no family, looking for The Promised Land. The five will embark on a trip to claim a piece of land that Rá inherited after a long process of land restitution. The Kings of the world is a subversive tale about a savage and lovely clan that transits between reality and delirium. A Journey to nowhere where anything can happen.

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Critics Consensus

Journeying between lyricism and brutal reality, The Kings of the World is a hopeful trip towards freedom away from the city where it cruelly dead ends.

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Manuel Betancourt

Variety

As the film moves away from the bustling streets of Medellin and into the foggy Andean landscapes, Mora captures a vision of this country in transition that is as stunning as it is eye-opening.

Jan 19, 2023

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Stephanie Bunbury

Deadline Hollywood Daily

This journey is his destiny. That may sound unlikely, but Laura Mora’s formidable imagination makes it moving, beautiful and true.

Oct 21, 2023

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Gisela Savdie

El Heraldo

Although the story can be classified as realistic, the film has plenty of metaphorical images that transport both the characters and the viewer to a magical and hypnotic field [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: B

Aug 10, 2023

Full Review

Hector A. Gonzalez

InSession Film

The Kings of the World remains a stellar dark drama and companion piece to Laura Mora Ortega’s Killing Jesus.

Rated: B+

Jul 19, 2023

Full Review

Sergi Sánchez

Fotogramas

The lyrical overtures of Laura Mora's excellent film do not aim to romanticize that journey back to the geneses... [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

Javier Ocaña

El Pais (Spain)

Mora Ortega rawly and beautifully captures the young men's fading path through life. [Full review in Spanish]

Mar 17, 2023

Full Review

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Nad N

The Kings of the World I absolutely loved this film. Brilliant acting, a beautiful story—heartwrenching and impactful. Everyone needs a home. A simple, powerful truth that lies at the heart of this unforgettable story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

Full Review

j j

The plot at numerous times was sacrificed for some reason. For example, when the boys are kidnapped by the local ranchers, it looks like the ranchers are beating them up but next thing we know they're free, running across a field, minus their black friend. What happened? I suppose the ranchers killed their friend for his exchange with a rancher at the bordello, but what happened the whole time the boys were prisoners? And, did the ranchers let them go? Did they escape? Were the ranchers simply racists or were they angry that the boys terrified their cattle and destroyed their property? Another example is when the protagonist pours gasoline on himself in front of a raging bonfire as an angry crowd approaches. Next thing we know they're traveling down the road to the grandmother's home as if nothing happened at all.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

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Juan R

Incredibly boring. I do not recommend this movie. It's a waist of time.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

Roger

It was the worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life! Had I not been guilted by someone to let them pick a movie I would have never have wasted my time.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/03/23

Full Review

D F

Great cinematography and intriguing subject matter. The editing could have used a couple revisions, some of the establishing shots/sequences drag on for too long reminiscent of student films and making the film lose momentum

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/29/23

Full Review

James H

It kind of felt like watching Stand By Me but with really dumb, immoral people and very little redeeming boyhood charm.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/23

Full Review

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Laura Mora Ortega

Director

Carlos Andrés Castañeda

Rá

Davidson Andres Florez

Seré

Brahian Stiven Acevedo

Nano

Cristian Campaña

Winny

Cristian David

Culebro

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Synopsis

Rá, Culebro, Sere, Winny and Nano, five street kids from Medellin, five kings without a kingdom, with no law and no family, looking for The Promised Land. The five will embark on a trip to claim a piece of land that Rá inherited after a long process of land restitution. The Kings of the world is a subversive tale about a savage and lovely clan that transits between reality and delirium. A Journey to nowhere where anything can happen.

Director: Laura Mora Ortega
Producer: Cristina Gallego, Mirlanda Torres
Screenwriter: Maria Camila Arias, Laura Mora Ortega
Production Co: Mer Films, Dago García Producciones, Selva Cine, Tu Vas Voir Productions, Ciudad Lunar Producciones, Talipot Studio, Caracol Televisión, Exile Content Studio, Iris Productions
Rating: TV-MA (Language|Smoking)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2023
Runtime: 1h 43m

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