Él
Gloria encounters Francisco, a man whose social veneer betrays a truer self burrowed underneath.
Critics Sentiment
Francisco attempts to strangle Gloria in church bell tower
Gloria seeks help from Father Velasco who sides with Francisco
The film dramatically escalates from the conventional dinner party seduction to the shocking revelation of Francisco's virginity and pathological jealousy on their wedding night.
Critics consistently praised Él as a masterpiece of psychological horror, with particular acclaim for Arturo de Córdova's performance and Buñuel's clinical depiction of paranoid jealousy. The film builds steadily from its symbolic opening to increasingly disturbing scenes of domestic terror, culminating in the universally acclaimed bell tower sequence. Reviewers noted how Buñuel transforms what could have been standard melodrama into a devastating critique of religious hypocrisy and sexual repression.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 27
Arturo de Córdova
Francisco Galván de Montemayor
Delia Garcés
Gloria Milalta
Aurora Walker
Esperanza Peralta
Carlos Martínez Baena
Padre Velasco
Manuel Dondé
Pablo
Rafael Banquells
Ricardo Luján
Fernando Casanova
Beltrán
José Pidal
Padre prior
Roberto Meyer
Licenciado
Luis Beristáin
Raúl Conde
León Barroso
Camarero (uncredited)
Antonio Bravo
Invitado a fiesta (uncredited)
Ignacio Peón
Invitado a fiesta (uncredited)
Enedina Díaz de León
Anciana en iglesia (uncredited)
María Gentil Arcos
Sirvienta en cena (uncredited)
Leonor Gómez
Portera (uncredited)
María Herrero
Mujer baila fiesta con Francisco (uncredited)
Chel López
Empleado (uncredited)
Álvaro Matute
Gerente hotel (uncredited)
Inés Murillo
Sirvienta de Esperanza (uncredited)
Crew
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