Volver
Performance & Direction: Volver Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Volver (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Volver features a noteworthy lineup led by Penélope Cruz . Supported by the likes of Carmen Maura and Lola Dueñas , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Volver
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2006, Volver is a Comedy, Drama, Romance film directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Penélope Cruz.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Three generations of women survive the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition and even death by means of goodness, lies and boundless vitality. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Penélope Cruz, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Volver
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Volver resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Penélope Cruz, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Volver demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Volver?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Comedy cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate smart humor and well-timed comedic performances
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Volver
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $9.4M |
| Worldwide Gross | $85.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Volver Budget
The estimated production budget for Volver is $9.4M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Volver
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Where to Watch Volver Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeVolver Parents Guide & Age Rating
2006 AdvisoryWondering about Volver age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Volver is 121 minutes (2h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.5/10, and global performance metrics, Volver is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Volver worth watching?
Volver is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Volver parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Volver identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Volver?
The total duration of Volver is 121 minutes, which is approximately 2h 1m long.
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Critic Reviews for Volver
Great film! First of all, the acting is terrific. Penélope Cruz is obviously the pick of the bunch, she shows her quality and then some in the role; especially for the more emotive scenes. Lola Dueñas, Yohana Cobo and Carmen Maura also give noteworthy performances. Blanca Portillo makes her presence felt, too. The story is paced expertly, with the two hour run time flying by. It is quite the plot, with things of substance happening from practically the first first minutes. I really enjoyed seeing it all unfold. Everything also feels tangible, which is something I always appreciate. Cruz's dodgy moment of lip-syncing aside, 'Volver' is excellent!
This is a cracking film that follows "Raimunda" (Penelope Cruz) as she returns to her hometown to visit the grave of her mother. It turns out that she left many years ago amidst an environment of turbulence and tragedy. Together with her daughter "Paula" (Yohana Como) and "Sole" (Lola Dueñas) they visit the aunt who raised her - and who is now living in a world of her own, before returning to Madrid and facing an whole new slew of mishaps involving "Paula" and her drunken brute of a father "Paco"! Without their problems to seek, events pile up back at home again too - and 'Raimunda" has some ghastly home truths to face! This is darkly funny, and Cruz is on great form bouncing from one calamity to another struggling desperately to keep things from imploding. The supporting characters are rich and lively, too - especially as the semi-slapstick elements are introduced in to the plot. One of my favourite Almodóvar stories that is well worth two hours for some laughter and some poignancy.
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.
