Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
Radical
By Mary Aviles,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving drama has positive messages, violence, language.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Radical
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In RADICAL, teacher Sergio Juárez (Eugenio Derbez) arrives at the José Urbina López Elementary School in Matamoros, which has some of the worst academic results in all of Mexico. His mission is to break his students' apathy and unleash their curiosity and potential. But the reality is that the kids know mostly violence and hardship, and the adults have lost their hope. Can Sergio truly inspire change?
Is It Any Good?
Winner of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival's Festival Favorite award, this is a moving, powerful, fact-based film. Derbez takes viewers from laughter to tears with his magnificent performance as Sergio, a hero without a cape who represents so many educators who've changed the lives of one or many students with something as simple as a phrase or a lesson. And while Sergio can't save everyone, if he can change the life of even one person, it will have been worth it.
Radical is also the story of how adults' actions can perpetuate socioeconomic challenges in future generations, of children who must take on the work of adults, and of the consequences of a lack of opportunity. In this sense, director Christopher Zalla offers an empathetic vision of the impoverished border town of Matamoros without falling into negative stereotypes. Viewers' attention is held throughout by a story that combines funny moments with very touching ones. Sergio is a dreamer who doesn't give up, loves what he does, and is convinced of the importance of adapting the curriculum to the students' environment and the power of technology to do good. Integrity and the desire to do things well are ultimately contagious.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Radical demonstrate integrity and courage. Why are these important character strengths?
What challenges did Sergio and the children face living in Matamoros? Why did Principal Chucho at first feel reluctant to trust Sergio's new way of teaching?
How accurate do you think the movie is to the real-life story it was based on? Why might a filmmaker choose to change some facts?
What's the most important thing Sergio learns from the kids, and what's the most important thing they learn from him?
Which movies inspire you? Why? What about teachers?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 3, 2023
- Cast: Eugenio Derbez , Gilberto Barraza , Daniel Haddad
- Director: Christopher Zalla
- Inclusion Information: Latino actors
- Studio: Pantelion Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: STEM , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Empathy , Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time: 122 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some strong violent content, thematic material and strong language
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 31, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Movies with Inspiring Teachers
Movies That Inspire Integrity
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate