Theo Goldin
Salvador
Overview
Two teen brothers and their newly-met stepsister take a road trip to the Mexico-U.S. border in a tense revenge journey to track down the man responsible for the accident that caused their father's death.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Road That Never Ends
I kept waiting for Upon Open Sky to arrive. Not in the sense of a plot twist or a cathartic moment—though those are in short supply—but in the way a long drive through the desert makes you expect, at any turn, a gas station, a town, something to break the monotony. Instead, the film stretches out like the Coahuila highway it was shot on: vast, sun-bleached, and stubbornly empty.
That emptiness is both its strength and its undoing.
The Arriaga siblings, directing their first feature, have inherited more than just their father Guillermo’s surname. They’ve absorbed his fascination with moral ambiguity and the way violence lingers in the body like a bruise. But where Guillermo’s scripts (Amores Perros, 21 Grams) explode with kinetic energy, Upon Open Sky moves at the pace of a car idling in neutral.
The road trip at its center—two half-brothers and their stepsister driving toward revenge—should feel urgent. Instead, it feels like a series of vignettes stitched together with Ludovico Einaudi’s piano score, which swells just often enough to remind you that something should be happening.
Theo Goldin and Federica Garcia carry the film’s emotional weight, and they do it with a restraint that’s almost painful to watch. Goldin, in particular, has the kind of face that betrays everything and nothing: his jaw tightens when he lies, his eyes flicker with something like hope before snuffing it out. Garcia, as the stepsister caught between loyalty and self-preservation, moves through the film like someone trying not to disturb the air.
Their performances are the reason the film doesn’t collapse under its own inertia. But even they can’t outrun the script’s biggest flaw: it’s a revenge story where the revenge never lands. The target is a man who exists mostly in dialogue, a specter of guilt and anger.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A visually poetic drama with strong performances but struggles to sustain emotional depth throughout."
Viewers appreciate the film’s atmospheric cinematography and the compelling performances from its lead actors, particularly Theo Goldin and Federica Garcia, which anchor the story. However, many find the pacing uneven and the narrative occasionally meandering, leaving some key emotional beats underdeveloped. The film’s poetic tone is both a strength and a weakness, latestnetflix.com argues, resonating with some while alienating others who crave more concrete storytelling.
What viewers praise
- Striking visuals The cinematography is widely praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, enhancing the film’s emotional tone.
- Strong lead performances Theo Goldin and Federica Garcia deliver nuanced performances that draw viewers into their characters’ struggles.
- Poetic atmosphere The film’s dreamlike and introspective tone resonates with audiences who enjoy meditative storytelling.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing Some scenes drag, while others rush through important moments, disrupting the flow of the narrative.
- Thin plot development The story’s emotional arcs and character motivations feel underdeveloped to many, leaving key themes unresolved.
- Polarizing tone The film’s abstract and poetic style divides audiences, with some finding it pretentious or inaccessible.
Recommended for
Fans of atmospheric dramas Lovers of poetic cinema Theo Goldin and Federica Garcia admirers Slow-burn character studies Visually driven storytelling enthusiasts
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Upon Open Sky: A Mexican Drama with Star Power and Sibling Directors
Upon Open Sky (2024) is one of the most anticipated Mexican dramas of the year, not just for its cast but for its creative team: siblings Mariana and Santiago Arriaga. The film marks a rare collaboration between the two directors, whose combined vision has already sparked curiosity among critics and audiences alike. With a runtime of 117 minutes and a genre tag of "drama" 
, the project promises emotional depth—but what’s the story behind its making?
A Sibling Duo Takes the Helm
Mariana and Santiago Arriaga are no strangers to the film industry, though their joint directorial effort is a first. The siblings have worked separately on various projects, but Upon Open Sky represents their first feature-length collaboration. While the evidence doesn’t reveal how they divided creative duties, their partnership suggests a blend of perspectives—potentially merging Mariana’s narrative focus with Santiago’s technical approach. The film’s bilingual title (A Cielo Abierto in Spanish) hints at a story that bridges cultures, though plot details remain scarce .
A Star-Studded Cast with Mexican and International Appeal
The ensemble cast is a mix of rising talent and established names, likely chosen to draw both local and global audiences. Theo Goldin and Máximo Hollander, two actors with growing reputations, lead the film alongside Federica Garcia. Veteran performers like Cecilia Suárez (The House of Flowers) and Julio Cesar Cedillo (Sicario) add gravitas, while Manolo Cardona (Narcos) and Sergio Mayer Mori bring mainstream recognition .
The inclusion of Maria Anna Tavares Arce and Rebecca Ayala—both known for their work in Latin American cinema—suggests a deliberate effort to highlight regional talent. With such a diverse cast, the film may explore themes of identity, family, or societal pressures, though specifics remain under wraps.
Critical Reception and Early Buzz
As of now, Upon Open Sky has yet to receive widespread reviews, but its presence on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes indicates it’s on the radar of critics . The film’s drama classification and 117-minute runtime suggest a slow-burn narrative, possibly with intense character studies or social commentary. Without full reviews, it’s unclear whether the Arriagas’ directorial debut will be praised for its boldness or critiqued for its pacing.
Rumors (unconfirmed) suggest the film may have premiered at a festival, but no official announcements have been made. If true, early screenings could provide a glimpse into its reception before a wider release.
**What’s Next for Upon Open Sky?**
With limited evidence, the film’s distribution plans remain unclear. However, given its high-profile cast and the Arriagas’ industry connections, a streaming or theatrical release in Mexico and the U.S. seems likely. If the drama resonates, it could position the siblings as major voices in contemporary Latin American cinema.
For now, fans will have to wait for more details—but the combination of sibling directors and a powerhouse cast makes Upon Open Sky a project worth watching.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.