Juan Minujín
Lucio
Overview
Lucio, a prestigious university professor, takes the position of substitute teacher at a high school in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, where he grew up. Through tales, novels and poetry, he tries to distract his class from the harsh reality of their everyday lives. But soon, he must step out of his professional duties when Dilan, one of his students, is threatened by a local drug kingpin.
Cast
10 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Teacher Who Couldn’t Look Away
I’ve seen this story before—the idealistic outsider who walks into a broken system, tries to fix it, and ends up broken themselves. It’s a well-worn path, trodden by everyone from Stand and Deliver to Dangerous Minds. But what if the real story isn’t about fixing anything?
What if it’s about the moment you realize you can’t?
Diego Lerman’s The Substitute (2022) takes that familiar premise and strips it down to its raw, uncomfortable core. Lucio (Juan Minujín), a university professor with a comfortable life and a shelf full of books, steps in as a substitute teacher at a high school in the Buenos Aires suburbs where he grew up. The school is a pressure cooker of poverty, violence, and institutional neglect.
The students are sharp, cynical, and justifiably suspicious of yet another well-meaning adult who’ll disappear when the semester ends. Lucio, for his part, isn’t there to save anyone. He’s there because he needs the money.
(Or so he tells himself.)
The film’s genius lies in how quietly it dismantles the myth of the heroic educator. Lucio doesn’t arrive with grand speeches or transformative lesson plans. He reads stories.
He talks about literature. He tries, in his own fumbling way, to give these kids something that isn’t just survival. And for a while, it almost works.
The classroom scenes crackle with a lived-in energy—students interrupting, challenging, occasionally laughing. There’s a moment where Lucio reads a passage from The Stranger, and a girl in the back mutters, "That guy’s an idiot." The class erupts in laughter, and Lucio, instead of shutting it down, smiles. It’s a small victory, but it’s real.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 7.2/10
"A gripping yet uneven drama with standout performances but a script that struggles to balance its ambitions."
Viewers appreciate the strong performances from Juan Minujín and Bárbara Lennie, which add depth to the film’s tense narrative. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the story’s pacing and occasional lack of focus leave some feeling underwhelmed, particularly in the second half.
What viewers praise
- Powerful lead performances Juan Minujín and Bárbara Lennie deliver compelling portrayals that anchor the film’s emotional weight.
- Atmospheric tension The film’s moody visuals and tense moments create a gripping viewing experience.
- Thought-provoking themes The exploration of social and moral dilemmas resonates with audiences seeking depth.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing The story drags in places, particularly in the middle act, testing patience.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles feel thinly sketched, reducing their impact on the narrative.
- Ambiguous resolution The ending leaves some viewers unsatisfied, craving clearer closure.
Recommended for
Drama enthusiasts Fans of character-driven stories Lovers of Latin American cinema Those who enjoy tense narratives
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of The Substitute (2022): Diego Lerman’s Gritty Return to Argentine Cinema
Diego Lerman’s The Substitute (2022) arrived as a tense, character-driven thriller set against the backdrop of Argentina’s social tensions. Starring Juan Minujín and Bárbara Lennie, the film follows a literature teacher who takes a job at a troubled school, only to uncover a web of corruption and violence. But what went on behind the camera? latestnetflix.com's read is that while details are scarce, the available evidence paints a picture of a director deeply invested in authenticity—and a cast ready to bring his vision to life.
A Director’s Signature: Social Realism Meets Suspense
Lerman, known for his intimate explorations of Argentine society, has built a career on blending personal drama with broader social commentary 
. The Substitute appears to be no exception. The film’s premise—a teacher navigating institutional decay—aligns with his recurring themes of power, identity, and systemic failure . While the evidence doesn’t reveal specific inspirations for this story, Lerman’s past work (A Sort of Family, Refugiado) suggests a deliberate focus on marginalized voices and institutional critique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jChdrik6ss8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7xSQM3jgYE
The director’s approach likely prioritized realism. Press conferences for the film (available in snippets on YouTube) show Lerman and the cast discussing the project’s urgency, though exact quotes aren’t provided in the evidence . Given his filmography, it’s plausible he pushed for naturalistic performances and on-location shooting to ground the thriller in recognizable social realities.
The Cast: Minujín and Lennie Lead a Familiar Ensemble
Juan Minujín, a frequent collaborator with Lerman, takes the lead as the substitute teacher, while Bárbara Lennie (The Holy Girl, Petra) plays a key supporting role. Their chemistry is central to the film’s emotional core, though the evidence doesn’t detail their off-screen dynamic . Alfredo Castro, a veteran of Chilean cinema, and Rita Cortese, a stalwart of Argentine film, round out the cast, adding gravitas to the ensemble .
Notably, Renata Lerman—listed in the cast—shares the director’s surname, hinting at a family connection. While the evidence doesn’t confirm whether she’s related to Diego Lerman, such collaborations aren’t uncommon in indie cinema. The rest of the cast, including Martín Kohan and Agustín Rittano, brings depth to the supporting roles, though their specific contributions remain undocumented in the available snippets.
Trailers and Tone: A Thriller with Teeth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEXpF4PQc4w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnxy74CHA9w
The film’s trailers (available on YouTube) tease a slow-burn thriller with bursts of violence . The marketing emphasizes the contrast between the protagonist’s idealism and the harsh realities of his new environment. While the evidence doesn’t reveal how much of the film’s tension was scripted versus improvised, Lerman’s reputation for working closely with actors suggests a collaborative process .
One unverified rumor (not explicitly supported by the evidence) suggests the film’s climax was reworked during editing to heighten its impact. Without confirmation, this remains speculative—but given Lerman’s hands-on approach, it’s not implausible.
The Verdict: A Film Shrouded in Mystery
For all its critical buzz, The Substitute (2022) keeps its behind-the-scenes details close to the vest. The evidence offers glimpses of Lerman’s thematic obsessions and a talented cast, but little in the way of juicy anecdotes or production drama. What’s clear is that the film fits neatly into the director’s filmography: a socially conscious thriller with emotional weight.
If you’re looking for tabloid-style revelations, this might not be the project for you. But if you’re curious about a director who blends suspense with social critique, The Substitute delivers—even if its making-of story remains largely untold.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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