‘Sundown’ Review: Stuck in the Shallow Waters of Acapulco
Jan 26,2022
Acapulco’s picturesque beauty and grimy desperation converge in writer-director Michel Franco’s psychological thriller “Sundown.” Franco teams up again here with Tim Roth who plays Neil Bennett, an heir to a United Kingdom meatpacking fortune on vacation with his sister, Alice (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and family. The cinematographer Yves Cape delivers a steady stream of wide shots and abstract-leaning frames that constantly compel the viewer to prioritize the macro over the micro.
Franco chooses to depict Acapulco from the wealthy white foreigner’s point of view, in which the lives of brown locals — the villains and Neil’s beautiful lover Berenice (Iazua Larios) alike — go unexamined. Yet Franco manages to wag a not-too-subtle finger at viewers, reminding them to check their assumptions about Neil while at the same time keeping the raison d’être of that main character utterly hidden. The result: “Sundown” lands more like a one-note thought exercise than a fully fleshed out story.
Roth’s delivery isn’t the problem here; neither is the film’s slow-burn pacing nor its absence of score. Rather, the script feels thin and ill-conceived in a film that clings noticeably to the surface. Neil is nothing if not brief — the number of lines he has might add up to a paragraph in the entire film. We can barely get a good look at him; his first close-up doesn’t appear until nearly halfway through the film.
Ultimately what “Sundown” is most successful at revealing to us is the look of Acapulco itself. By the end, Cape has captured how the sun strikes this spot of Pacific Coast in a dozen different ways. If only the same amount of light had been shed on any of the characters. Without that, an Acapulco sunburn is likely to elicit more feeling than “Sundown” does.
Top Stories
Anupam Kher Scolds David Dhawan Over Retirement Rumors: "Who Are You to Decide..."
Jun 04,2026
Veteran Bollywood filmmaker David Dhawan has returned to the director’s chair after a gap of six years. However, what has surprised fans even more is his announcement that his upcoming film Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani will reportedly be his final directorial venture before retirement.But
'Bad breath from her mouth...' When Bobby Deol refused to film an intimate scene with Manisha Koirala, the reason will leave you stunned.
Jun 03,2026
Bollywood actor Bobby Deol recently opened up about several funny behind-the-scenes moments from the early phase of his film career, including playful pranks on co-stars Twinkle Khanna, Rani Mukerji, and Manisha Koirala.The actor made these revelations during his appearance on the popular
Kangana Ranaut Recalls 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack Night: ‘We Were Dancing and Suddenly…’
Jun 03,2026
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut recently opened up about her personal memories from the night of the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks while promoting her upcoming film Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.During the trailer launch event of the film, Kangana revealed that she was attending a party
‘She Was Faking It’: Madhuri Dixit Makes Shocking Revelation About Karisma Kapoor’s Dance Performance
Jun 02,2026
Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor remain one of Bollywood’s most iconic on-screen duos, especially for their unforgettable performances in the cult classic Dil To Pagal Hai.The film, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan, is still celebrated for its music, romance, and legendary d
Bobby Deol Reveals Who Can Play Dharmendra in His Biopic, Says ‘No One Can Replace Him’
Jun 02,2026
Bobby Deol is currently in the spotlight for his upcoming film Bandar, but the actor recently grabbed headlines for his emotional remarks about his late father and Bollywood legend Dharmendra. During his appearance on Aap Ki Adalat on India TV, Bobby Deol spoke candidly about Dhar
Cocktail 2 Trailer Out: Shahid Kapoor Gets Trapped Between Friendship, Love and Marriage Chaos
Jun 02,2026
After months of anticipation, the makers of Cocktail 2 have finally released the official trailer of the much-awaited romantic drama, and it is already generating massive buzz on social media.Featuring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, the sequel appears to c
Taapsee Pannu Reveals Extreme Workout Struggles for Perfect Figure, Urges Young Women Not to Follow Unhealthy Fitness Trends
Jun 01,2026
Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu is once again making headlines—this time for her honest and heartfelt comments about body image struggles and unrealistic beauty standards. Known for speaking candidly on social issues, the actress recently revealed how she pushed herself to physical e
Trophy in Hand, Love in the Air! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Share Emotional Moment After RCB Win
Jun 01,2026
The final of the Indian Premier League 2026 turned into a historic night for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the franchise clinched its second consecutive IPL title with a dominant victory over the Gujarat Titans. Led by a sensational innings from Virat Kohli, RCB once again lifted the cove
Entertainment News
Taapsee Pannu Reveals Extreme
Jun 01,2026
Trophy in Hand, Love in the Ai
Jun 01,2026
Ajith Kumar’s Mother Funeral
May 30,2026
Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt’
May 30,2026
“What If He Gets Angry?”:
May 30,2026