Olmo (2025)

-Written by Dante Natale. 

Olmo is a coming-of-age story about the importance of family. On the surface, it appears to be an outrageous mission to impress an older girl. Beneath that premise, however, Director Fernando Eimbcke crafts a heartfelt tale about love, exhaustion, and the precious time we often fail to appreciate until it’s slipping away.

Olmo takes place in 1979 New Mexico and follows 14-year-old Olmo (Aivian Uttapa), who helps care for his father, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. His older sister shares those responsibilities, while their mother struggles to keep the family afloat as mounting bills and constant setbacks begin to take their toll. When she’s unexpectedly called into work, Olmo is forced to find someone to care for his father before he and his best friend, Miguel (Diego Olmedo), can make it to a party where he hopes to finally win over the girl of his dreams—his next-door neighbor, Nina (Melanie Frometa).

Olmo doesn’t play out as a straightforward comedy. Instead, it leans heavily into the dramatic side of its story as it explores the frustrations of a family weighed down by overwhelming circumstances. Olmo’s father, Nestor (Gustavo Sánchez Parra), is a defeated man living with multiple sclerosis. His illness has left him bitter and quick to lash out at those trying hardest to help him. While Olmo and his older sister understand the pain and frustration behind his outbursts, the emotional toll gradually wears at their patience, making it increasingly difficult to maintain any sense of optimism.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its dialogue. Every conversation feels remarkably authentic, particularly the exchanges between family members. Anyone who’s experienced a strained relationship with a parent or loved one will likely find something familiar here. The arguments never feel manufactured for dramatic effect—they arise naturally from years of exhaustion, resentment, and love, making it feel as though nearly every interaction is destined to boil over.

Although Olmo doesn’t elevate itself above many films with a similar premise, it accomplishes a great deal with its modest budget and limited locations. For a film that relies so heavily on dialogue, it remains engaging from beginning to end, thanks to its emotionally grounded characters and authentic conversations. That said, some of the narrative threads—particularly the ones emphasized in the film’s marketing—don’t carry the emotional weight they promise. As a result, certain moments that should leave a lasting impact fall a bit flat, preventing the film from reaching its full potential.

Eimbcke also does an excellent job bringing the film’s setting to life. Many period pieces struggle to convince audiences that they’re truly set in another era, but Olmo effortlessly captures the spirit of late-1970s New Mexico. From the production design to the atmosphere, the film feels lived-in rather than manufactured. Anyone who pays close attention to period accuracy should walk away impressed by the authenticity on display.

Overall, Olmo is a thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age film with a heartfelt story and characters that are easy to connect with. Strong performances from Uttapa and Parra elevate what could have been a fairly conventional narrative, giving the film an emotional authenticity that lingers long after the credits roll. While it may not reinvent the genre, its sincerity, believable dialogue, and compelling family dynamic make it a worthwhile watch.

Directed by Fernando Eimbcke.

Written by Fernando Eimbcke & Vanesa Garnica.

Starring Aivan Uttapa, Melanie Frometa, Rosa Armendariz, Gustavo Sánchez Parra, etc.

7.5 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING