Best-Reviewed Foreign-Language Movies 2020

Critics Consensus: A singularly rich period piece, Portrait of a Lady on Fire finds stirring, thought-provoking drama within a powerfully acted romance.

Synopsis: In 1770 the young daughter of a French countess develops a mutual attraction to the female artist commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.

Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami, Valeria Golino

Directed By: Céline Sciamma

Critics Consensus: A raw, fly-on-the-wall recounting of hospital life in Wuhan in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, 76 Days is an engrossing and potent documentary - and a surprisingly comforting portrait of humanity.

Synopsis: Health care workers and patients combat the COVID-19 outbreak during a lockdown in Wuhan, China.

Directed By: Hao Wu, Weixi Chen

Critics Consensus: Collective presents a darkly effective overview of the cycle of political corruption and public cynicism that takes hold when government abrogates its responsibility to the people.

Synopsis: Directed by Alexander Nanau (TOTO AND HIS SISTERS), COLLECTIVE follows a heroic team of journalists as they uncover shocking, widespread corruption. After a deadly nightclub... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Alexander Nanau

Critics Consensus: Led by an impressive performance from Bartosz Bielenia, Corpus Christi thoughtfully and engagingly examines questions of faith and redemption.

Synopsis: A reformed criminal is prevented from applying to the seminary after his release, so he dresses as a priest and ministers a small town parish.

Starring: Bartosz Bielenia, Eliza Rycembel, Aleksandra Konieczna, Tomasz Ziętek

Directed By: Jan Komasa

Critics Consensus: A restless and riveting fable, Night of Kings sees writer-director Philippe Lacôte in full command of his craft.

Synopsis: A young man is sent to "La Maca," a prison in the middle of the Ivorian forest ruled by its inmates. As tradition goes with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve Tientcheu, Bakary Koné, Jean Cyrille Digbeu, Rasmane Ouedraogo

Directed By: Philippe Lacôte

Critics Consensus: A striking debut for writer-director Kim Bora, House of Hummingbird delicately captures a turning point in one young woman's life.

Synopsis: In 1994 Seoul when the Seongsu Bridge collapses, 14-year-old Eunhee wanders the city and searches for love.

Starring: Park Ji-hu, Kim Sae-byeok, Jung In-gi, Lee Seung-Yun

Directed By: Bora Kim

Critics Consensus: A slow-burning descent into desperation, Identifying Features uses one shattered family's ordeal to offer a harrowing look at the immigrant experience.

Synopsis: A middle-aged woman embarks on an increasingly dangerous journey to locate her son, who's gone missing after leaving Mexico to find work in the United... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mercedes Hernández, David Illescas, Juan Jesús Varela, Ana Laura Rodríguez

Directed By: Fernanda Valadez

Critics Consensus: Rigorous and beautifully composed, Vitalina Varela is a quietly absorbing drama whose placid surface belies hidden depths.

Synopsis: A woman moves from Cape Verde to her deceased husband's shack on the outskirts of Lisbon.

Starring: Vitalina Varela, Ventura, Manuel Tavares Almeida, Francisco Brito

Directed By: Pedro Costa

Critics Consensus: La Llorona puts a fresh spin on the familiar legend by blending the supernatural and the political to resolutely chilling effect.

Synopsis: Alma is murdered with her children during a military attack in Guatemala, but when the general who ordered the genocide is found not guilty 30... View Full Synopsis

Starring: María Mercedes Coroy, Sabrina De La Hoz, Margarita Kénefic, Julio Diaz

Directed By: Jayro Bustamante