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Afternoons of Solitude

Summary Afternoons of Solitude is a spellbinding documentary that turns its gaze on the ceremonial splendor and devastating brutality of bullfighting in Spain. With quiet intensity, Serra follows famed matador Andrés Roca Rey, from the solitude of his hotel room and the meticulousness of his preparations to the charged spectacle of the arena. Th...

Directed By: Albert Serra

Written By: Albert Serra

Afternoons of Solitude

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 12 Critic Reviews
85
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.8
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Summary Afternoons of Solitude is a spellbinding documentary that turns its gaze on the ceremonial splendor and devastating brutality of bullfighting in Spain. With quiet intensity, Serra follows famed matador Andrés Roca Rey, from the solitude of his hotel room and the meticulousness of his preparations to the charged spectacle of the arena. Th...

Directed By: Albert Serra

Written By: Albert Serra

Where to Watch

Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 12 Critic Reviews
85
100% Positive
12 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 12 Critic Reviews
85
100% Positive
12 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Sep 1, 2025
100
The film offers no explicit commentary or context, but instead allows the images to speak for themselves.
By David Jenkins FULL REVIEW
Jul 21, 2025
90
In its graceful intertwining of meditation and obscenity, Afternoons of Solitude gives an ancient, controversial tradition the chance to shock and awe without hype or favor. It’s inhumane, it’s human and it’s a hell of a film.
By Robert Abele FULL REVIEW
Oct 2, 2024
83
In the interest of reservation: this isn’t Serra’s most intellectually interesting film, making it less fulfilling than his others, though it achieves the most directness of intention and rhetorical clarity of his work so far, continuing from Pacifiction in displaying how naturally his method and interests fit depicting the modern world
By David Katz FULL REVIEW
Jun 24, 2025
80
Though “Afternoons of Solitude” shows only the present tense of bullfighting, it looks deep into history and spotlights the tragic contradictions of modern life itself.
By Richard Brody FULL REVIEW
Oct 3, 2024
80
The film’s gaze is arguably as mocking as it is dazzled — with the macho posturing and hero-worship of Roca Rey a tacit source of comedy — while Serra, living up to his reputation for challenging arthouse fare, doesn’t flinch in his presentation of animal abuse and suffering.
By Guy Lodge FULL REVIEW
Sep 25, 2024
80
Its immersive intensity makes it essential viewing for Serra followers, and for anyone interested in documentary’s ability to record, and make us think about, the extremes of the real world.
By Jonathan Romney FULL REVIEW
Jun 23, 2025
75
In the absence of any overt commentary, the film’s more open-ended choices in editing and music take on added significance.
By William Repass FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.8
88% Positive
7 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
13% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.8
88% Positive
7 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
13% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Jul 7, 2025
8
VonSeux
Featuring brutal, intensely close-up cinematography, the film doesn't offer a straightforward critique of bullfighting one may expect. While it powerfully conveys terror, it equally portrays the mythical triumph over an unfathomable challenge.
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Details

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Production Company
  • LaCima Producciones
  • 3Cat
  • A Contracorriente Films
  • Andergraun Films
  • Arte France Cinéma
  • Idéale Audience
  • Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC)
  • Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA)
  • Radio Televisión Española (RTVE)
  • Rosa Filmes
  • Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP)
  • Tardes de Soledad
Release Date Jun 27, 2025
Duration 2 h 5 m
Genres
Website https://grasshopperfilm.com/film/afternoons-of-solitude/
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Awards

International Cinephile Society Awards
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
San Sebastián International Film Festival
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
European Film Awards
• 2 Nominations

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