FEATURE FILM

Magellan

6.2/10
TMDB44 votes
2025Original: Portuguese160 min

At the dawn of the modern era, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan leads an expedition under the Spanish crown in search of the first westward route to the Spice Islands. He embarks on a perilous journey across the uncharted Pacific, where his fleet faces starvation, mutiny, and the psychological toll of endless seas. Upon reaching the shores of Cebu, Magellan is pulled into a fatal conflict with the natives by his drive to spread Catholicism, culminating in his tragic doom.

Genres: History, Adventure, Drama
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Ângela Ramos, Dario Yazbek Bernal

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THE STORY & THE PEOPLE

About Magellan

Magellan (2025) is a film in the history, adventure, drama genres. Directed by Lav Diaz. The cast includes Gael García Bernal, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Ângela Ramos.

Released
2025-09-10
Original language
Portuguese
Runtime
160 minutes
Status
Released
Production countries
Philippines, Portugal, Spain, France, Taiwan
Production companies
Andergraun Films, Rosa Filmes, Epicmedia, Black Cap Pictures, El Viaje Films, Volos Films, Lib Films, Ten17p
Directors
Lav Diaz
Writers
Lav Diaz

Magellan cast & characters

Audience reviews

6.2/10 from 44 TMDB votes. Ratings and reviews are supplied by TMDB. Reviews are attributed to their original authors.

Call Me Dunham

TMDB member review

The real definition of every frame being a painting, it’s truly that beautiful. Magellan is one of the best historical biopic films I’ve ever seen. Shot entirely with static frames, minimal scoring, calm and quiet vibes, and cinematography that’s beautifully serene and soothing to look at. Lav Diaz also boldly portrays the dark side of colonialism and the deceit of European explorers in the past even though, as…

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The real definition of every frame being a painting, it’s truly that beautiful. Magellan is one of the best historical biopic films I’ve ever seen. Shot entirely with static frames, minimal scoring, calm and quiet vibes, and cinematography that’s beautifully serene and soothing to look at. Lav Diaz also boldly portrays the dark side of colonialism and the deceit of European explorers in the past even though, as far as I know (CMIIW), the film is supported by institutions from Portugal and Spain and he conveys all of that with extraordinary beauty. This film isn’t just about recounting the past, but serves as a reminder, showing us how European explorers once tortured, colonized, plundered, and pitted Southeast Asian nations against one another. With this film, we are given a silent witness to how cruelty and human greed can destroy norms and morality.

Louay Jabry

TMDB member review

I have never assigned a rating of 1/10 to any film until this one. For all those that have been taken by the cinematography, you have been taken for a ride. The use of a 4:3 ratio, dark, smudgy static wide shot series of 2-4 minutes takes, minimal dialog and acting does not make a great film, especially when it is slow for no reason and lasts almost 3 hours. You couldn't even see the main protagonist's face for the…

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I have never assigned a rating of 1/10 to any film until this one. For all those that have been taken by the cinematography, you have been taken for a ride. The use of a 4:3 ratio, dark, smudgy static wide shot series of 2-4 minutes takes, minimal dialog and acting does not make a great film, especially when it is slow for no reason and lasts almost 3 hours. You couldn't even see the main protagonist's face for the first 70 minutes. The net result is a ludicrous film masquerading as art, a talentless, lazy imitation of Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God.

starryjasmine

TMDB member review

I don't remember watching more boring movie, or even close to that one. We were confused, disgusted, bored and eventually stopped caring about whatever is displayed on the screen and went on with our days, occasionally looking at the screen when some noise banged from speakers. Was there even any plot at all? I wasted too much time on it to bother. I hardly review any movies but I feel it's the only purpose I see…

Read moreShow less
I don't remember watching more boring movie, or even close to that one. We were confused, disgusted, bored and eventually stopped caring about whatever is displayed on the screen and went on with our days, occasionally looking at the screen when some noise banged from speakers. Was there even any plot at all? I wasted too much time on it to bother. I hardly review any movies but I feel it's the only purpose I see from watching it - to warn everyone else.

Questions about Magellan

What is Magellan about?

At the dawn of the modern era, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan leads an expedition under the Spanish crown in search of the first westward route to the Spice Islands. He embarks on a perilous journey across the uncharted Pacific, where his fleet faces starvation, mutiny, and the psychological toll of endless seas. Upon reaching the shores of Cebu, Magellan is pulled into a fatal conflict with the natives by his drive to spread Catholicism, culminating in his tragic doom.

Who stars in Magellan?

Gael García Bernal, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Ângela Ramos, Dario Yazbek Bernal, Tomás Alves. See the cast cards above for character names.

How can I watch Magellan online?

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Does Magellan have subtitles or dubbed audio?

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