Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

The Official Story

Name: The Official Story
Genre: Drama, History
Released: 1985-04-03
Cast: Norma Aleandro, Héctor Alterio, Hugo Arana, Guillermo Battaglia, Chela Ruiz

1985 | 112 min | Drama, History

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for history buffs. If you loved The Breakfast Club, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
What might put you off: It's in Spanish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1983. In the last and turbulent days of the military dictatorship, Alicia, a high school history teacher, begins to ask uncomfortable questions about the dark origins of Gaby, her adopted daughter.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Non-English Language Film. Won 1 Cannes award: 1985 Cannes Film Festival. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar. Plus 1 other award.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 36K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Luis Puenzo

Norma AleandroAlicia Marnet
Héctor AlterioRoberto Ibáñez
Hugo AranaEnrique Ibáñez
Guillermo BattagliaJosé
Chela RuizSara
Patricio ContrerasBenítez
Aníbal MorixeMiller
María Luisa RobledoÑata
Jorge PetragliaMacci
Analía CastroGaby