XXY
XXY Image
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: For just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15-year-old Alex, who was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore, along with their 16-year-old son, Alvaro (Martin Piroyanski). Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity and forces both families to face their worst fears. (Film Movement)
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    100
    As finely crafted as a great work of literature.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    75
    The acting is uniformly strong, the visual approach self-effacingly honest.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    50
    It's set at a beach house, but we see only gray skies, and though Efron has a wary and cutting intelligence (it matches that of the fine actor Ricardo Darin, who plays her father), the effect is tepid and damp.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    30
    The genitally ambiguous as well as transsexuals and gay people deserve more than XXY's good intentions.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Halfwelshman
    9
    XXY works on so many levels. It intelligently debates a highly contentious issue, it's an emotional teenage drama, and it's a story of finding acceptance, not just with the world, but with yourself. The film approaches a scarcely discussed subject - that of the intersex. It deals with this difficult topic in a relatively matter-of-fact way - it's as much a story about an adolescent coming of age and feeling comfortable in their own skin as it is about being born different to the majority of the world. Thankfully, the film is never patronising or overly sentimental, and leaves it open for viewers to make their own judgements about the complex and divisive issues being raised. Ines Efron is absolutely captivating in the lead role of Alex, and it is very easy to invest in her as a character and appreciate the gravity of the life-changing decisions she is about to make. Ricardo Darin is also exceptional as Alex's ever-proud and supporting father. There is also a very distinctive look to the film - cool hues and frequent visual cues linked to the sea and marine life give the film a sombre tone with a strong philosophical underpinning. The visuals, while distinctive, never detract from the focus of the film - character. We never lose sight of the inner (and outer) termoil of Alex and her family, and the journey all the film's characters go through is highly memorable. Irrespective of its subject matter, XXY is a fine example of thoroughly engaging and thoughtful filmmaking.… Expand
  2. JahneW.
    7
    This is a pretty good movie. I liked the directors chioce of using cool colours because that added to the mood of the movie. It had a very sad and depressing mood to it. Also, I do not speak spanish and I still enjoyed watching this and it caught my attention. For me to be interested in a movie I can't understand the diolouge to is a plus.… Expand
  3. Steve
    7
    Affecting and thoughtful drama with an outstanding lead performance.
  4. bruces
    5
    This is not a very good movie...of course not it's what can i say.....it's grotesque or really strong for me sorry.

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