That Was Life Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Movie Overview: That Was Life
| Movie | That Was Life |
| Release Year | 2020 |
| Director | David Martín de los Santos |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 109 minutes (1h 49m) |
| Language | ES |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is That Was Life (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in That Was Life are led by Petra Martínez . The supporting cast, including Anna Castillo and Florin Piersic Jr. , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While That Was Life does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, That Was Life has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: That Was Life
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2020, That Was Life is a Drama film directed by David Martín de los Santos, written by David Martín de los Santos. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Petra Martínez as María.
Ending Explained: That Was Life
That Was Life Ending Explained: Two Spanish women from different generations find themselves sharing a hospital room in Belgium. Directed by David Martín de los Santos, this 2020 drama film stars Petra Martínez (María), alongside Anna Castillo as Verónica, Florin Piersic Jr. as Luca, Ramón Barea as José. With a 6/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of That Was Life?
Two Spanish women from different generations find themselves sharing a hospital room in Belgium. María has been living there for decades after emigrating when she was young and Verónica is a young girl recently arrived in search of opportunities she never found in Spain. A strange friendship is forged between them and this leads María to set out on a return journey to the south of Spain with an unusual mission. What begins as a search for Verónica's roots will become an opportunity to open herself up to the world and question certain principles on which she had based her life.
David Martín de los Santos's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Petra Martínez (María)'s journey. María has been living there for decades after emigrating when she was young and Verónica is a young girl recently arrived in search of opportunities she never found in Spain.
How Does Petra Martínez (María)'s Story End?
- Petra Martínez: Petra Martínez's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Anna Castillo (Verónica): Anna Castillo's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Florin Piersic Jr. (Luca): Florin Piersic Jr.'s character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of That Was Life Mean?
That Was Life's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Petra Martínez may feel rushed. David Martín de los Santos's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
That Was Life Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is That Was Life Based on a True Story?
No, That Was Life is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by David Martín de los Santos and starring Petra Martínez may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch That Was Life?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Petra Martínez or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
That Was Life Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about That Was Life age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of That Was Life (2020) is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Directed by David Martín de los Santos, the film runs for 109 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, That Was Life is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2020 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is That Was Life worth watching?
That Was Life is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find That Was Life parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for That Was Life identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of That Was Life (2020)?
The runtime of That Was Life (2020) is 109 minutes (approximately 1h 49m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
