Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Historical crime drama with language, blood, and violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
In Her Place
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In 1955, the popular writer María Carolina Geel (Francisca Lewin) shot her lover in the head in the middle of a busy restaurant. Captivated by the case, Mercedes (Elisa Zulueta) , a shy secretary working for the judge assigned to defend María Carolina, becomes fascinated by her and slowly becomes enamored with the lifestyle María Carolina put at risk when she committed murder.
Is It Any Good?
This is an interesting if not always effective exercise in character study. Maite Alberdi's In Her Place studies a real-life murder case, not through the eyes of those involved, but through the filter of someone who becomes enthralled by the glamor and lifestyle of the killer. Alberdi, known for her insightful documentaries The Mole Agent and the devastatingly beautiful The Eternal Memory, attempts to build a film noir with a feminist twist, only to be left with a film that's too insular and withdrawn.
Whether these are her intentions or not, the film is a beauty to behold, with art direction, costumes, and cinematography that compare to a big Hollywood production. Elisa Zulueta as Mercedes, the woman who becomes intrigued by the murder case, is equally bewitching. She gives a performance of quiet power. Unfortunately, that might not be enough to hold the attention of viewers who like their murder mysteries less impossible to solve.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real-life murder case. Do you think In Her Place depicts it in a fair manner? Why, or why not?
The murder became so popular that even famous authors of the era intervened. Do you think celebrities should try to intervene in legal processes? Why, or why not?
What do you think drives Mercedes to become so fascinated by María Carolina?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2024
- Cast : Elisa Zulueta , Francisca Lewin , Pablo Macaya
- Director : Maite Alberdi
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , South American Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s) , South American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Rated PG-13 for some violence/bloody images, and smoking throughout.
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 15, 2025
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