Mala Noche
Seen it?1987 | 75 min | Drama, Romance
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.1 out of 10 from audiences and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 15 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Walt is a lonely convenience store clerk who has fallen in love with a Mexican migrant worker named Johnny. Though Walt has little in common with the object of his affections — including a shared language — his desire to possess Johnny prompts a sexual awakening that results in a tangled love triangle.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- 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 29K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Gus Van Sant
- Doug CooeyateJohnny
- Tim StreeterWalt Curtis
- Sam DowneyHotel Clerk
- Nyla McCarthyBetty
- Ray MongeRoberto Pepper
- Robert Lee PitchlynnBob Pitchlynn
- Gus Van SantGuy at Hotel (uncredited)