Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
In the 1980s, a team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship in a battle against odds and a race against time.
Argentina, 1985 is a gripping courtroom drama anchored by Ricardo Darín's powerhouse performance as lead prosecutor Julio Strassera. The plot is tautly constructed around the real-life Trial of the Juntas, building genuine tension despite the historical outcome being known. The acting ensemble is exceptional, with Darín and Peter Lanzani forming a compelling duo. The cinematography is competent and period-appropriate but not particularly distinctive. Novelty is moderate — the courtroom drama genre is well-worn, though the specific Latin American historical context and the film's emotional intelligence give it a distinct flavor. The ending, including Strassera's famous closing speech, is genuinely moving and earns its emotional payoff without feeling manipulative.