Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Touching 1980s-set coming-of-age drama; language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
What's the Story?
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE takes place in 1987 and 1988 in El Paso, Texas, where 15-year-old Aristotle "Ari" Mendoza (Max Pelayo) meets Dante Quintana (Reese Gonzales) at a local pool. The two strike up a fast friendship, bonding over their classically inspired names and different backgrounds: Dante's father is an intellectual professor, and Ari's is a quiet mail carrier. As the summer ends, Dante's family moves to Chicago for a year, and the two boys exchange increasingly confessional letters in which Dante admits he's questioning his sexuality. But Ari, who's spent the year glowing up and partying, is frightened and confused about that possibility. When they finally reunite, Ari and Dante must face the truth about themselves and each other.
Is It Any Good?
This tender, heartwarming YA adaptation explores teen friendship, first love, and sexual identity in 1980s Texas. A labor of love that was written for the screen and directed by Aitch Alberto, the movie is a faithful and well-executed tribute to author Benjamin Alire Sáenz's source material. Pelayo and Gonzales give moving performances as the main characters, who grow from strangers to best friends to something undefinable. The screenplay includes some of the book's best conversations about identity (what does it mean to be Mexican, how do you know if your feelings are friendship or love), loss, literature, and art. This is a slow-building love story, with the buildup of trust and friendship in the vein of Love, Simon and Heartstopper, but set in a time when accepting parents were rare and treasured.
Eugenio Derbez and Verónica Falcón are effective as Ari's parents, who are secretive about why their much-older son is in prison. Eva Longoria and Kevin Alejandro have fewer lines but are still memorable as Dante's worldlier parents. Isabella Summers' score has impact, and Akis Konstantakopoulos' cinematography includes beautiful landscapes of Texas. Despite some of the easier-to-predict plot points, this is a lovely young adult romance that explores mature themes with kindness and grace.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what viewers will learn about the 1980s and El Paso from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Was this time and place new to you?
How do Ari and Dante influence each other? How are they complementary? Do you consider either of them role models?
What do you think about the movie's representations of gay Mexican American teens in the 1980s? Why is diverse representation in the media important?
If you've read the book, how does the movie compare? What do you think about the page-to-screen changes to the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 8, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : November 14, 2023
- Cast : Max Pelayo , Reese Gonzales , Eugenio Derbez , Eva Longoria
- Director : Aitch Alberto
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Blue Fox Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong violence, strong language, sexual material, teen drug/alcohol use, thematic elements and smoking
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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