Motel Destino

Opens Friday, August 29, 2025

The neon-hued Motel Destino, a roadside sex hotel steaming under the burning blue skies of the northeastern coast of Brazil, is run by hot-headed Elias and his restless younger wife Dayana. But the unexpected arrival of 21-year-old Heraldo, on the run after a botched hit, disrupts their established order. As the tropical noir plays out, loyalties and desires intertwine to reveal that destiny has its own enigmatic design.

“A feverishly shambling erotic thriller… plays like James M. Cain with sex toys.” – Justin Chang, The New Yorker

Official Selection: Cannes Film Festival

• Country Brazil, France, Germany
• Language Portuguese with English subtitles
• Running Time 112 minutes
• Format DCP
• Distributor Strand Releasing
• Director Karim Aïnouz
• Cast Iago Xavier, Nataly Rocha, Fábio Assunção

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.