top of page
Search

Streaming: Away (2025) by Gerard Oms — A Journey Into Silence, Fear, and Self-Discovery

When Escape Becomes the Only AnswerDirected and written by Gerard Oms, Away (Molt lluny) is a Spanish-Dutch drama about Sergio (played by Mario Casas), who travels with his family to Utrecht for a football match. Just before returning home, Sergio suffers a devastating panic attack and makes the radical decision to stay in Holland, cutting off all ties with his past in Barcelona. Without money, a place to stay, or fluency in the language, he must carve out a fragile existence on foreign soil. Co-starring David Verdaguer and Ilyass El Ouahdani, the film explores themes of anxiety, alienation, and the fragile line between self-preservation and abandonment. With 5 wins and 9 nominations, it has already been recognized for its raw portrayal of inner turmoil.

Why to Recommend Movie – A Gripping Portrait of Anxiety and Reinvention

  • An Intimate Exploration of Panic Disorder – The film doesn’t romanticize panic attacks; it shows them as paralyzing, life-changing, and often misunderstood by others. It brings mental health to the forefront of European cinema.

  • Mario Casas at His Most Vulnerable – Known for charismatic and strong roles, Casas reinvents himself here with fragility and restraint, delivering one of his most haunting performances.

  • A Story of Exile Without Borders – Though Sergio flees voluntarily, his condition mirrors the plight of displaced people who must survive in foreign lands without community or language.

  • Universal Themes in a Personal Story – While deeply rooted in Sergio’s panic, the film reflects broader issues of isolation, masculinity, and identity.

What is the Trend Followed – European Cinema of Alienation and Silence

  • Minimalist Realism – Following the tradition of European arthouse cinema, Away thrives on stillness, silence, and long takes that force the audience into Sergio’s fragile state of mind.

  • Mental Health as a Core Theme – Joins a new wave of European dramas tackling anxiety, depression, and trauma with subtle, empathetic storytelling rather than sensationalism.

  • Migration as Metaphor – By placing Sergio in a foreign land, the film connects personal panic with collective stories of displacement, making it both intimate and political.

  • Non-Hollywood Storytelling – Rejects traditional resolution, choosing ambiguity and realism to highlight the permanence of trauma rather than its easy “cure.”

Director’s Vision – Gerard Oms and the Cinema of Disconnection

  • Autobiographical Inspiration – Oms crafts the narrative from lived experiences with anxiety, making the film both personal and universal.

  • Atmospheric Realism – Uses natural light, handheld cameras, and urban backdrops to heighten a sense of estrangement.

  • Language as Alienation – Highlights the distance Sergio feels by immersing him in Dutch conversations he cannot fully grasp.

  • Focus on the Invisible – Rather than dramatizing panic attacks with spectacle, Oms lets them unfold quietly, giving them unsettling authenticity.

Themes – Anxiety, Exile, and the Fragility of Identity

  • The Weight of Panic – Shows how one moment of fear can derail an entire life trajectory.

  • Voluntary Exile – Sergio’s decision to stay behind is both self-destructive and liberating, mirroring the complexity of flight.

  • Masculinity and Vulnerability – Challenges traditional male archetypes by portraying a man paralyzed by fear rather than empowered by control.

  • The Struggle for Belonging – At its heart, the film asks: what does it mean to belong, and can one rebuild identity when the past is erased?

Key Success Factors – Why Away Resonates Across Borders

  • Mario Casas’ Performance – A career-defining role that strips away glamour to reveal fragility.

  • International Co-Production – The Spain–Netherlands collaboration adds authenticity to its cross-cultural themes.

  • Topical Mental Health Focus – Resonates strongly in an era where anxiety and burnout dominate public conversation.

  • Festival Recognition – With 5 wins and 9 nominations, its acclaim signals its global emotional impact.

Awards & NominationsAway has earned 5 wins and 9 nominations on the international festival circuit. Recognitions highlight its lead performance, screenwriting, and cinematography, with critics praising its haunting realism.

Critics Reception – A Stark, Divisive Exploration of Panic

  • Variety – Described it as “a hauntingly quiet portrait of male fragility,” noting Casas’ stripped-down performance.

  • El País – Praised its authenticity, calling it “a rare Spanish film that dares to embrace silence and discomfort.”

  • Cineuropa – Highlighted its bravery but admitted its pace might alienate mainstream audiences.

  • Overall Summary – Critics agree it’s a powerful meditation on anxiety, though its minimalism makes it challenging for those expecting conventional drama.

Reviews – Audience Reactions to Sergio’s Silence

  • Festival Viewers – Many praised the raw honesty in its portrayal of panic and exile, calling it relatable and devastating.

  • Mixed General Audience – Some found its slow pace and lack of resolution frustrating, while others called it “profoundly real.”

  • Mario Casas Fans – Applauded his transformation into a subdued, haunted presence far removed from his earlier roles.

  • Overall Summary – Divisive but unforgettable, with audiences either deeply moved or left unsettled by its ambiguity.

Movie Trend – Mental Health as the New Cinema of CrisisAway continues the growing cinematic trend of turning inward, exploring mental health as both a personal battle and a social mirror. By linking panic attacks to exile and isolation, it expands the conversation beyond illness into identity and survival. It joins the wave of intimate European dramas like The Father and Close, where inner turmoil defines the outer world.

Social Trend – The Global Visibility of AnxietyThe film reflects society’s increasing openness about mental health while also pointing out the stigma and isolation that sufferers still face. Sergio’s panic-driven decision resonates in a world where burnout, stress, and anxiety have become widespread. By situating his struggle in a foreign land, the film mirrors how displacement—emotional or physical—defines modern existence.

Final Verdict – A Quietly Shattering Tale of Fear and FlightAway is not a film of spectacle but of silence, unease, and emotional rawness. It is an unflinching portrayal of panic and exile, led by a transformative performance from Mario Casas. Though divisive, its power lies in its discomfort, forcing viewers to confront what it means to abandon everything in pursuit of survival. For audiences ready to face the silence, Away is a journey worth taking.


Comments

bottom of page