The Substitute

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The Substitute

2022

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A highbrow literature professor returns to his old neighborhood to teach high school, facing his past, his father and the reality of his community.

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Critics Consensus

Following the book on classroom drama led by a fish-out-of-water teacher in a tough neighborhood, The Substitute rises above the curve to deliver a grounded film that successfully balances tension with thoughtful social insights.

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Saskia Lloyd Gaiger

Little White Lies

01/19/2023

3/5

Intriguing, but would work better if the viewer was slightly less confused than Lucio.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

01/17/2023

2/5

A rather tiring school day.

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Jonathan Romney

Screen International

09/20/2022

It’s compelling and steely-minded, mixing Loachian social issue cinema with elements of a gangland thriller, with a thoughtful philosophical undertow and an insightful central character study.

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Archi Sengupta

LeisureByte.com

07/08/2024

2.5/5

Diego Lerman’s film fails to make an impact with the crime/thriller aspects of it, but as a drama film in the classroom, I quite enjoyed it.

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

03/02/2023

3/5

... Persuasive and watchable, but rather nondescript.

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Carlos Bonfil

La Jornada

02/24/2023

Although Lerman's direction is efficient and vigorous, various subplots do not fully come to fruition, leaving loose ends for some ultimately irrelevant sentimental matters. [Full review in Spanish]

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Diego Lerman

Director

Nicolás Avruj

Director

Bárbara Lennie

Mariela

Juan Minujín

Lucio

Alfredo Castro

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Rita Cortese

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Synopsis

A highbrow literature professor returns to his old neighborhood to teach high school, facing his past, his father and the reality of his community.

Director: Diego Lerman, Nicolás Avruj
Producer: Diego Lerman
Screenwriter: Diego Lerman, Luciana De Mello, Maria Meira, Diego Lerman, Maria Meira, Luciana De Mello
Production Co: Campo Cine, Arcadia Motion Pictures, Bord Cadre Films, Pimienta Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Runtime: 1h 50m