The highly anticipated film ‘Radical,’ starring Eugenio Derbez, has set the box office on fire in Mexico. This thought-provoking drama, which won the Festival Favorite Award at its Sundance premiere earlier this year, opened last weekend and shattered expectations, surpassing even established blockbusters like ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.’ Released by Videocine, it achieved the largest local-language opening in Mexico since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With an impressive 631.7K tickets sold, ‘Radical’ has made a grand entrance onto the Mexican cinema scene. The film grossed an impressive MXN 43,339,719 ($2.36M) during the weekend of October 20-22, not far behind the box office earnings of ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ in its second weekend. However, it is worth noting that ticket prices for ‘The Eras Tour’ were significantly higher, with event pricing at MXN 215, compared to MXN 69 for ‘Radical.’ Despite this, ‘Radical’ boasted the highest per-screen average that weekend.
An Impressive Journey Begins
For Eugenio Derbez, who is best known for his comedic roles in pre-pandemic hits like ‘How to Be a Latin Lover,’ ‘Overboard,’ and ‘Instructions Not Included,’ ‘Radical’ marks a pivotal moment as his first leading dramatic role. Although it may not surpass the success of his previous comedies, the film’s strong debut indicates a promising transition into more serious and meaningful storytelling.
Christopher Zalla’s ‘Radical’ is based on a true story set in a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence. The film revolves around a determined teacher, played by Derbez, who employs an unconventional method to awaken the curiosity and unleash the potential of his students. This heartfelt and inspiring narrative explores the possibility of transcending one’s circumstances and finding hidden genius even in the most challenging environments.
A Critical Acclaim
The film has received critical acclaim, with Deadline’s Pete Hammond commending its unique setting and impactful storytelling. Pete Hammond describes the film as “a small, virtually unknown tale” that delves into the untapped potential of children constrained by their birthplace.
In addition to Eugenio Derbez’s remarkable portrayal of the lead character, ‘Radical’ also features outstanding performances from Daniel Haddad, Jennifer Trejo, Mía Fernanda Solís, and Danilo Guardiola. The film is a collaboration between Pantelion Films, Participant, and 3pas Studios, with Derbez producing alongside Ben Odell and Joshua Davis.
As the film creates waves in the Mexican box office, audiences in the United States eagerly await its release on November 3. With its compelling story and powerful performances, ‘Radical’ is poised to captivate viewers and spark conversations about the transformative power of education and the resilience of the human spirit.
‘Radical’ is a game-changer for Mexican cinema, showcasing Eugenio Derbez’s versatility as an actor and his passion for telling socially relevant stories. With its record-breaking opening weekend and critical acclaim, this thought-provoking film is poised to make a lasting impact both in Mexico and beyond.