Roma Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 11, 2026
Movie Overview: Roma
| Movie | Roma |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Director | Alfonso Cuarón |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 135 minutes |
| Language | ES |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Roma (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Roma are led by Yalitza Aparicio . The supporting cast, including Marina de Tavira and Diego Cortina Autrey , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Roma stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Roma has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Roma
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2018, Roma is a Drama film directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Yalitza Aparicio.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In 1970s Mexico City, two domestic workers help a mother of four while her husband is away for an extended period of time. The screenplay takes time to develop Yalitza Aparicio's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Yalitza Aparicio, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances, especially from Yalitza Aparicio, that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: Roma
Roma Ending Explained: Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Roma resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Yalitza Aparicio. Many viewers have praised the way the narrative builds toward its final moments.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Roma reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Roma?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Roma
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Roma Budget
The estimated production budget for Roma is $15.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Roma
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Where to Watch Roma Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixRoma Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about Roma age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Roma is 135 minutes (2h 15m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.6/10, and global performance metrics, Roma is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roma worth watching?
Roma is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.6/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Roma parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Roma identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Roma?
The total duration of Roma is 135 minutes, which is approximately 2h 15m long.
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Critic Reviews for Roma
One of the best movies I've watched in years. A masterpiece in every sense from the storytelling going through the production and ending with the masterful photography. It remainded me other such "childhood memories" masterpieces like Amarcord or even Bergman's Fanny and Alexander. The movie shows a year (circa 1970) in the life of a middle class, intellectual family through the eyes of their domestic helper, Cleo. She comes from a small town, has an indigenous background and works for the family within one of these arrangements (common in underdeveloped parts of the world) where the worker is treated somewhere between older sister and slave. She is emotionally involved with the children in a reciprocal relationship but she still has to work with very few (if any) worker's rights. The relationship is indeed complex and its treatment is the main strenght of the movie in my view. For those of us who where partly raised by these amazingly loving women the movie is an emotional tour-de-force. For the rest, the movie is a must. Please watch it.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.











