A year after competing for the Palme d’Or in Cannes with director Alicia Vikander and Jude Law’s The Queen’s Game, Karim Ainouz is back in official competition at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival with a new feature film, Very Different. shots.
Titled Motel Destino, this erotic thriller takes us to Ceará, on Brazil’s northeast coast, where the temperature is 30 degrees all year round. Every night at the Destino Motel, dangerous games of desire, power and violence take place in the shadows. One evening, the arrival of a young Heraldo breaks the rules of the motel.
Presented at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, Motel Destino with the sound of Brazilian band Aviões do Forró, composed of director Karim Ainuz and actors Fabio Asuncão, flourished in a fantastic atmosphere. Nathalie Rocha and Iago Xavier, among others, were able to dance.
This is just part of the film “Motel Destino”, which is part of Aviões do Forró, at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. 🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/JcXa8aDB6N
— tracklist (@tracklist) May 22, 2024
A hot neo-noir thriller that disappointed some
And the atmosphere was even more lively and cheerful after the screening of the film, which was greeted with a 12-minute standing ovation by the audience at the Grand Theater Lumière at the Palais des Festivals.
Director Karim Ainouz’s Brazilian film “Motel Destino”, which was nominated for the Palme d’Or, was sent to Cannes after filming.
— Emborra recivedo com 12 minutos de plusos, o longa cearense não agradou muito a critítica em primastera impresões.pic.twitter.com/kOgiaYIG5M
— Cinema Em Movimento (@cemovimento) May 23, 2024
“Motel Destino,” the Palme d’Or-nominated Brazilian film directed by Karim Ainouz, received a standing ovation at Cannes after its premiere.
— Despite receiving a 12-minute standing ovation, Cear’s film was initially not well received by critics.
But is that a good sign? Reviews were pretty mixed on Motel Destino. If some people liked Karim Ainuz’s proposal, others were disappointed.
I loved it #MotelDestino By Karim Anouiz. The setting is sublime, intense, lots of suspense, the sound is very good and the actors are excellent. And the icing on the cake: The End Rock! #skin2024 pic.twitter.com/Kuq16YgC43
— Cinématix #CeasefireNOW 🇵🇸 (@DiegoCalvaStan) May 22, 2024
with #MotelDestinoKarim Ainuz invests the thriller in a sexual way by setting it under neon lights and at 35°C. The cast is solid, but upon arrival everything disappoints in its ultimately predictable plot, undermining all tension.#skin2024 pic.twitter.com/hBWMBFUeG6
— Charley James 🎞 📽🩺 (@CharleyJamesD) May 22, 2024
#MotelDestino = The best end credits of this #skin2024
(and also the best sex scenes)
— Robin in Cannes (@Mr__Kritik) May 22, 2024
I’m not sure it would benefit Kareem Ainuz to bring him back into the competition this year #skin2024 With this tiny thriller #MotelDestinoNot unpleasant, but tightly woven and ultimately very fitting. pic.twitter.com/GAmsH6T4fd
— Julien Lada (@JulienLada) May 22, 2024
Big disappointment that this #MotelDestino.
An over-stylized thriller that aims to be feverish and dreamy, but never manages to overcome an ultra-determined script and very average acting performances.
A very small Karim Ainuz#skin2024 pic.twitter.com/KEQjcJiaKc
— Antoine Rousseau (@ant_rousseau) May 22, 2024
It’s raw, it sweats, it smells, it kills… it’s hypnotic. #MotelDestino Scorching atmosphere, sticky relationships and psychedelic impulses.
It’s a shame that Ainuz is even more oblivious to the dirty and venomous potential of his electric thriller. #skin2024 pic.twitter.com/IRuIsJQaX0
– Alexander Janowiak (@A_Janowiak) May 22, 2024
MOTEL DESTINO: A tired, chic apothecary and sweaty Brazilian neo-noir set in a neon-lit sex-motel. The narrative beats are somewhat predictable, but the believable characters and enthusiasm for the quirk elevates it. #skin2024 pic.twitter.com/pHG9qkeQaQ
— FilmLandEmpire (@FilmLandEmpire) May 22, 2024
“MOTEL DESTINO: A tired, stylish, sweaty Brazilian neo-noir set in a seedy neon-bathed sex motel. The narrative beats are somewhat predictable, but the believable characters and the joy of queer identity elevate it.”
“Motel Destino” Review: Karim Aïnouz’s Horned-Up Neon-Noir Stays Cool While Hot & Heavy https://t.co/gv0Db2H9Uu
— Variety (@Variety) May 22, 2024
“Motel Destino review: Karim Ainouz’s corny neon-noir film stays fresh while it gets hot and heavy.”
‘Motel Destino’ review: Sex and nihilism always in Karim Ainouz’s neon clash of ‘Crash’ and ‘Body Heat’ https://t.co/NKqGxp6Nwb
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) May 22, 2024
“Motel Destino Review: Sex and Nihilism at Every Moment in Karim Ainouz’s Neon Clash of ‘Crash’ and ‘La Fèvre au Corps’.”
‘Motel Destino’ review: Karim Aïnouz’s tropical noir evokes a strong atmosphere of heat, desire and menace even as the payoff loses steam https://t.co/aJDtHmaTnC
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 22, 2024
“Motel Destino Review: Karim Ainouz’s tropical film noir evokes a powerful atmosphere of warmth, desire, and menace, even as things fizzle out by the end.”
Karim Ainuz’s film “Motel Destino” does not have a release date yet.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 14 to 25.
Source: Allocine

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.