‘Romería’ Review – A Captivating Search For Truth Elevated By Impeccable Storytelling

Synopsis: A beautifully rendered autobiographical tale, Romería is celebrated Spanish director Carla Simón’s touching portrait of family origins. In a bravura performance, Llúcia Garcia stars as 18 year-old Marina, who travels to the glittering seaside town of Vigo determined to uncover information on her father. Gradually tracking down his siblings, she slowly learns uncomfortable secrets about her parents’ unconventional life and turbulent past. Beyond a tour de force coming of age story, Romería offers a moving, trenchant investigation on how family connections form new identities.

Who would you be if you were brought up by someone other than who raised you? How much does the environment around you affect your personality and growth? It’s not only interesting to ponder, but also a significant topic that this film explores. Many of us can relate to not knowing, being separated, or having been intentionally ostracized by one side of our family. Whether from unfortunate circumstances, force, or negligence, not knowing or understanding the full swath of your family and genetic makeup can leave a black hole-sized void that eventually collapses in on itself. Never feel guilty for asking questions or wanting answers; how can you confidently build if you don’t have all the tools and components?

“You’re lucky you didn’t grow up here.”

When you want answers, sometimes the only way to get them is to go to the source. Written and directed by Carla Simón, Romería is a captivating search for truth elevated by impeccable storytelling. This tender slice of semi-autobiographical vulnerability radiates the chaotic love of family while dazzling with breathtaking visuals. Moving with a quiet confidence and an adventurous vibe, the secrets that lie in wait are no match for the understanding and unconditional acceptance that permeate. Led by cherished words and a beaming sense of wonder, this is a reminder of what authentic cinema looks like. It’s honest, vulnerable, shameless, deeply interesting, and most of all, entertaining. We often tout how truth is stranger than fiction, and this story is a perfect example.

What makes Romería such an intriguing watch is its specificity and undeniably human qualities. While you may live a perfect life with no dark family secrets, we can all resonate with those seemingly insignificant moments that eventually unravel into a day of inconveniences and disappointment. Moreover, what if that inconvenience leads to uncovering that you have been lied to your entire life? The lie itself is not as significant as all the whys that bore it. As we are guided by Marina (Llúcia Garcia) through her mother’s journal, we get a vivid firsthand account of how disconnected one can feel when familial ties are severed, as well as the love that blossomed during the inception of the entries. Not to mention, through it all, Marina must traverse shaky ground to bind or not bind ties that were never really there to begin with. That leads to those awkward meetings and unrecallable memories.

“She looks just like her mom.”

Beyond how delicately and respectfully Simón handles the topics of drug abuse and AIDS, the beauty of the film lies not only in the waters and views of the scenic town of Vigo, but in the story’s simplicity. Who knew a simple request could turn into not just discovery, but the ethereal traces of love and death? Marina’s mother’s words are a vehicle to the past that influences the present. They are a gift, and as she learns, also a beautiful nightmare. Within the summation of detailed feelings, descriptions, and material findings, the most impactful discovery is independence. Carla Simón’s writing reminds us that knowledge is freedom, and that freedom allows you to shake doubt and live unencumbered by fear, grief, and unwarranted resentment. That same independence allows you to actualize and activate the potential that has always been waiting beneath the surface. And while the film can feel slow for some, its cinematography and direction add a sense of curiosity and an artistic eeriness that permanently linger like expensive perfume, keeping things lively. If you appreciate great performances and even better storytelling, Romería is exactly what you’re looking for. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

This film has all the trappings of a slow burn; it’s story-driven, contemplative, and has the feel and aesthetic of all exposition and no substance. Fortunately, it’s not the case. While it does have its moments of ponderance and reflection, this is a family drama, and there is too much going on to sit still for too long. What really pops is the calm amongst all the chaos. Despite new revelations and a barrage of new family members, the story as well as its subject is rather levelheaded, with just a tinge of pettiness.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Llúcia Garcia Nuno, Tristán Ulloa, Alberto Gracia, Miryam Gallego, Janet Novás, José Ángel Egido, Marina Troncoso, Sara Casasnovas, Celine Tyll

Llúcia Garcia brings warmth and charm to a captivating performance. Whether it’s the tireless search for truth or the endless barrage of new family members, Garcia’s Marina handles it with a composed and effortless flair. While the entire cast has the raucous energy and unflinching chemistry of a real family, it is Garcia’s commitment, wonderment, and third-act transformation that make the film worth remembering.

Romería hits select theaters June 26, 2026, and is currently expanding into more. Stay safe and stay woke.

Rated: R Runtime: 1h 55m Languages: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, German Country: Spain Director: Carla Simón Writer: Carla Simón Producer: María Zamora Cinematography: Hélène Louvart Editors: Sergio Jiménez, Ana Pfaff Score: Ernest Pipó