CINEXA

The Secret in Their Eyes

In 1999, retired Argentinian federal justice agent Benjamín Espósito is writing a novel, using an old closed case as the source material. That case is the brutal rape and murder of Liliana Coloto. In addition to seeing the extreme grief of the victim's husband Ricardo Morales, Benjamín, his assistant Pablo Sandoval, and newly hired department chief Irene Menéndez-Hastings were personally affected by the case as Benjamín and Pablo tracked the killer, hence the reason why the unsatisfactory ending to the case has always bothered him. Despite the department already having two other suspects, Benjamín and Pablo ultimately were certain that a man named Isidoro Gómez is the real killer. Although he is aware that historical accuracy is not paramount for the novel, the process of revisiting the case is more an issue of closure for him. He tries to speak to the key players in the case, most specifically Irene, who still works in the justice department and who he has always been attracted to but never pursued due to the differences in their ages and social classes. The other issue is that Gómez is still at large, no one aware if he is alive or dead. But as Pablo at the time mentioned that passion is one thing that cannot be changed in behavior, Benjamín learns now that that premise still holds true. Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Drama, Mystery, Romance), release year 2009, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

The Secret in Their Eyes poster on CINEXA

Story of The Secret in Their Eyes

In 1999, retired Argentinian federal justice agent Benjamín Espósito is writing a novel, using an old closed case as the source material. That case is the brutal rape and murder of Liliana Coloto. In addition to seeing the extreme grief of the victim's husband Ricardo Morales, Benjamín, his assistant Pablo Sandoval, and newly hired department chief Irene Menéndez-Hastings were personally affected by the case as Benjamín and Pablo tracked the killer, hence the reason why the unsatisfactory ending to the case has always bothered him. Despite the department already having two other suspects, Benjamín and Pablo ultimately were certain that a man named Isidoro Gómez is the real killer. Although he is aware that historical accuracy is not paramount for the novel, the process of revisiting the case is more an issue of closure for him. He tries to speak to the key players in the case, most specifically Irene, who still works in the justice department and who he has always been attracted to but never pursued due to the differences in their ages and social classes. The other issue is that Gómez is still at large, no one aware if he is alive or dead. But as Pablo at the time mentioned that passion is one thing that cannot be changed in behavior, Benjamín learns now that that premise still holds true.

Use this page to compare cast context, genre fit (Drama, Mystery, Romance), release year 2009, and whether this film matches tonight's mood.

Title facts

  • Type Movie
  • Release year 2009
  • Released 21 May 2010
  • Runtime 129 minutes
  • Content rating R
  • IMDb rating IMDb 8.2/10 from 240,743 votes
  • Metascore 80/100
  • Genres Drama, Mystery, Romance
  • Languages Spanish
  • Countries Argentina, Spain

Cast

Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago

Direction and writing

Directed by: Juan José Campanella

Written by: Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella

Awards and recognition

Won 1 Oscar. 53 wins & 43 nominations total

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