New Movies: Salt Water (2024) by Steven Morales Pineda: An Unsettling Dive into Trauma, Longing, and Forgiveness

Core Summary: A Haunting Reunion, Decades in the Making

"Salt Water" (Agua Salá) (2024) is a poignant and unsettling Colombian drama film written, directed, and produced by Steven Morales Pineda, marking his feature debut. The film centers on Jacobo (Luis Mario Jiménez), a 33-year-old man grappling with the unresolved trauma of his youth. Two decades after a painful separation, Jacobo reignites a connection with José Luis (Óskar Salazar Ruiz), a 50-year-old Catholic priest who is facing new allegations and is on the verge of leaving the clergy. Set against the backdrop of a calm Colombian coastal town during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film delves into their tense and complex reunion, forcing Jacobo to confront the source of his emotional scars—a past relationship with the priest that extends beyond spiritual guidance. "Salt Water" explores themes of child sexual abuse within the church, the intricate and often contradictory nature of victim-survivor emotions, the search for closure, and the agonizing complexities of love, denial, and regret. The film premiered at the 2024 Miami International Film Festival and the São Paulo International Film Festival, and was released on major digital platforms in the U.S. and Canada by Breaking Glass Pictures on June 24, 2025.

Snapshot: Colombian Drama, Priest, Ex-Altar Boy, Lingering Trauma, Confrontation, Forgiveness

A Colombian man confronts the Catholic priest who abused him as a child, wrestling with unexpected lingering feelings of affection and hate in a raw exploration of trauma and forgiveness.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27158782/

Link Review: https://outinjersey.net/salt-water-explores-everyones-role-in-a-taboo-topic/

About movie: https://vimeo.com/breakingglass/vod_pages

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/salt-water-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/salt-water (Canada)

Deep Dive: Navigating the Murky Waters of Trauma and Complicated Desire

"Salt Water" is lauded for its courageous and unflinching exploration of a deeply taboo subject, distinguished by its nuanced portrayal of the victim-survivor's emotional landscape.

Key aspects that define "Salt Water":

• Sensitive and Courageous Subject Matter: The film tackles the highly controversial and painful topic of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, approaching it with empathy for all involved, which has been noted as a unique and challenging perspective.

• Complex Victim-Survivor Emotions: Central to the film is Jacobo's struggle with conflicting emotions—resentment, pain, but also a disturbing sense of longing and affection for his abuser. This nuanced portrayal challenges simplistic narratives of victimhood.

• Psychological Drama: The film is primarily a two-hander, focusing on the tense, dialogue-driven encounters between Jacobo and José Luis. The drama unfolds through their interactions, revealing layers of suppressed emotions, denial, and memory.

• Inspired by True Events: While fictionalized, the narrative is described as "inspired by true events and some that may very well be," lending a raw authenticity to its emotional complexities.

• Subtle and Symbolic Storytelling: The film uses symbolism (like a door representing a confessional, or the act of shaving a beard) and a meditative, slow pace to convey deep emotional meaning without resorting to overt exposition or melodrama.

• Exploration of Forgiveness and Closure: It delves into the difficult questions of whether true closure or forgiveness is possible in such circumstances, and what that might look like, for both the victim-survivor and the perpetrator.

• Debut Feature Director's Vision: Steven Morales Pineda's direction and screenplay are praised for their subtlety, artistic control, and ability to handle such a fraught topic with sensitivity and maturity.

"Salt Water" aims to bring into the open what is often hidden, exploring the profound suffering and complicated human emotions that arise from traumatic relationships, urging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths.

The Journey: From Scars to Seeking Solace

• The Weight of the Past: Jacobo, now 33, carries deep emotional scars from his youth, connected to a past relationship with a Catholic priest. Despite living a seemingly grounded life as a yoga instructor, he is haunted by unresolved feelings.

• The Priest's Return: José Luis, the 50-year-old priest from Jacobo's past, reappears in the coastal town. He is facing new accusations of abuse and is on the verge of being defrocked, claiming persecution and denying all charges.

• A Tense Reunion: Jacobo seeks out José Luis, initiating a series of tense, dialogue-heavy encounters. Instead of pure rage or hatred, Jacobo exhibits a complex mix of emotions, including a disturbing longing for the connection he once had, even as he grapples with the trauma.

• Unveiling Complex Emotions: The film meticulously explores the contradictory feelings Jacobo harbors—the knowledge that he was wronged, coupled with an inexplicable affection or attachment to José Luis, which perplexes and unsettles the viewer.

• Crisis of Faith and Denial: José Luis remains in denial, clinging to his version of events and his faith, even as Jacobo tries to force him to confront the truth of their shared history and the pain he inflicted.

• Unresolved Endings: The film does not offer easy answers or clean resolutions. It concludes with an acknowledgment that some things lost cannot be regained and that healing from such deep wounds is a continuous, agonizing process, often without clear closure.

Director's Lens: Steven Morales Pineda's Sensitive and Intimate Storytelling

Steven Morales Pineda, in his feature debut, demonstrates remarkable control and empathy in navigating an exceptionally challenging subject matter.

• Subtlety and Nuance in Difficult Topics: Morales Pineda approaches the highly sensitive topic of abuse with a delicate hand, avoiding sensationalism. He focuses on the psychological and emotional nuances, allowing the discomfort and complexity to emerge from the characters' interactions rather than explicit depictions.

  • Filmmakers tackling controversial or painful subjects should prioritize subtlety and emotional realism over shock value. By focusing on the internal lives and psychological journeys of characters, they can explore the topic's complexities with greater depth and impact, fostering empathy rather than mere reaction.

• Character-Driven and Dialogue-Focused: The film relies heavily on the nuanced performances and intense dialogue between its two main characters to reveal the layers of their troubled past and present. This theatrical quality allows for a deep dive into their psyches.

  • Directors interested in intense psychological dramas can effectively utilize a minimalist approach, focusing on character interactions and dialogue. This allows the audience to become deeply immersed in the characters' emotional states and the intricate dynamics of their relationships.

• Personal Connection and Empathy: Described as "inspired by true events and some that may very well be," the film conveys a profound sense of personal understanding and empathy for the complicated emotions involved, even for the perpetrator.

  • When addressing sensitive or potentially triggering themes, filmmakers can enhance authenticity and empathy by drawing from personal experiences or by conducting thorough, respectful research that allows them to portray all facets of the human experience involved, without condoning harmful actions.

Central Themes: Trauma & Memory, Abuser-Abused Dynamic, Faith & Guilt, Longing & Aversion, and The Elusive Nature of Healing

• Child Sexual Abuse and its Lingering Effects: Explores the profound and complicated emotional scars left by childhood trauma, decades later.

• The Paradox of Victim-Survivor Emotion: Delves into the disturbing, yet psychologically real, phenomenon of a victim-survivor harboring mixed, even affectionate, feelings towards their abuser.

• Faith, Hypocrisy, and Guilt: Examines the role of religion, the abuse of power within institutions, and the denial and guilt of the perpetrator.

• The Search for Truth and Closure: Jacobo's journey to confront his past is a quest for understanding and a potential pathway to healing, even if full resolution remains elusive.

• Memory and Denial: The contrasting ways Jacobo and José Luis recall and reconcile with their shared history.

Why It Shines: A Brave and Artfully Crafted Exploration of Uncomfortable Truths

• Courageous Subject Matter: Tackles a deeply sensitive and rarely explored aspect of trauma with remarkable honesty.

• Nuanced Performances: Luis Mario Jiménez and Óskar Salazar Ruiz deliver powerful and subtle portrayals of complex characters.

• Masterful Direction: Steven Morales Pineda's feature debut demonstrates a keen understanding of pacing, atmosphere, and psychological depth.

• Thought-Provoking Narrative: Challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about human emotions, forgiveness, and the long shadow of abuse.

• Artistic Merit: Praised for its subtle dialogue, symbolic visuals, and overall cinematic craftsmanship.

Critics Reception: Hailed for its Boldness and Emotional Depth

"Salt Water" has received strong critical praise, particularly for its bravery in tackling such a sensitive subject and its nuanced emotional portrayals.

• Bold and Unflinching: Out In Jersey praised the film for "bringing into the open what most prefer to conceal," calling it a "sincere and emotionally touching debut feature" that tackles a "taboo topic." [Source: Out In Jersey, "'Salt Water' explores everyone's role in a taboo topic," July 2, 2025]

• Complex Emotional Landscape: Reviewers highlighted the film's nuanced exploration of Jacobo's contradictory feelings. Film Threat noted it's a "challenging narrative" that illustrates "human emotions are extremely complex and emotional logic can veer wildly away from intellectual logic." [Source: Film Threat, "Salt Water," June 1, 2025]

• Strong Performances: The lead actors were consistently lauded. Film Threat stated, "Jiménez carries the film as Jacobo, and all the other performances match his in power and grace." [Source: Film Threat, June 1, 2025]

• Subtle Direction: Steven Morales Pineda's directorial debut was commended for its "subtlety and powerful acting," with Humanizing The Vacuum noting that "Pineda doesn't merely photograph the Colombian coastal town in which the film is set but shows how the local population intersects." [Source: Humanizing The Vacuum, "Miami Film Festival 2024: 'Fallen Fruit' and 'Salt Water' – Humanizing The Vacuum," April 5, 2024]

Overall Summary: "Salt Water" is lauded as a brave, powerful, and deeply unsettling film that tackles a vital, yet difficult, subject with remarkable sensitivity and nuance, anchored by compelling performances and Steven Morales Pineda's assured directorial vision.

Audience Reactions: Stirring Discussion and Deep Empathy

As "Salt Water" gains wider release on digital platforms, audience reactions are beginning to reflect its challenging yet impactful nature.

• Emotional Impact: Viewers are likely to be deeply affected by the film's raw portrayal of trauma and complex emotions, sparking strong empathetic responses.

• Provokes Discussion: The film's controversial subject matter and its non-simplistic approach are expected to generate significant discussion among audiences about abuse, forgiveness, and the nature of trauma.

• Appreciation for Honesty: Those seeking films that don't shy away from difficult truths will appreciate its unvarnished look at a painful topic.

• Challenging Perspectives: Audiences may find their own understanding of victim-survivor dynamics broadened and challenged by Jacobo's complex emotional journey.

Overall Summary: "Salt Water" is poised to be a powerful and memorable experience for audiences, offering a unique and unsettling perspective on healing and the lasting scars of abuse that will undoubtedly resonate and provoke considerable thought.

Box Office Performance: Festival Success to Digital Platform Reach

As an independent drama, "Salt Water"'s commercial success will primarily be measured by its festival circuit acclaim and its reach through digital distribution.

• Festival Circuit Success: Premiered at the 2024 Miami International Film Festival (World Premiere) and was an Official Selection at the São Paulo International Film Festival, garnering critical attention. It's also part of the Woods Hole Film Festival 2025 lineup.

• North American Digital Release: Acquired by Breaking Glass Pictures for digital release in the U.S. and Canada on June 24, 2025, ensuring accessibility to a broader audience.

• Niche Market: As a foreign-language drama tackling a sensitive subject, its theatrical release may be limited, but its digital presence is key for its reach.

Overall Summary: "Salt Water" is building its presence through critical acclaim at festivals and a strategic digital release, aiming to find its audience among those who appreciate challenging and emotionally resonant independent cinema.

Production Notes: A Collaborative Colombian Effort

• Original Title: Agua Salá

• International Title: Salt Water

• Directed by: Steven Morales Pineda

• Written by: Steven Morales Pineda

• Main Cast:

  • Luis Mario Jiménez as Jacobo

  • Óskar Salazar Ruiz as José Luis

  • Ferraro Yerena

  • Braian V. Aburaad

  • Clarissa Cuadros

• Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+ (as per MUBI listing, due to thematic elements of the relationship)

• Country of Production: Colombia

• Language: Spanish

• Running Time: 84 minutes (1h 24m)

• Cinematography: Andrés Sotomayor

• Editing: Freddy Mejia

• Producers: Steven Morales Pineda, Gabriel González Rodríguez

• Production Company: ESUNA Casa Audiovisual (Steven Morales Pineda's company)

• Filming Dates: Not explicitly detailed, but likely took place prior to its 2024 festival premiere, possibly during the COVID-19 pandemic as indicated by some reviews.

• World Premiere: Miami International Film Festival 2024 (March/April 2024)

Production Company: ESUNA Casa Audiovisual

• ESUNA Casa Audiovisual (Steven Morales Pineda's company, founded in Bogotá)

Sales & Distribution: Breaking Glass Pictures (North America)

• North American Digital Distributor: Breaking Glass Pictures

• Release Dates:

  • 2024: Miami International Film Festival, São Paulo International Film Festival

  • June 24, 2025: North American Digital Platform Release

Release Timeline: Festival Debut to Digital Accessibility

• March/April 2024: World Premiere at Miami International Film Festival, followed by screenings at other festivals like São Paulo.

• June 24, 2025: North American digital platform release (U.S. and Canada).

• July/August 2025: Screening at Woods Hole Film Festival.

• Ongoing: Expected to continue festival circuit and digital availability.

Why See It: For a Brave and Nuanced Look at Profound Trauma

• If you seek challenging and thought-provoking dramas: It explores complex human emotions in the face of immense pain.

• For a unique perspective on a sensitive topic: It delves into the victim-survivor's mixed feelings towards an abuser, which is rarely depicted.

• If you appreciate strong, character-driven performances: The leads deliver intense and nuanced portrayals.

• To witness a powerful feature debut from a new director: Steven Morales Pineda's vision is both bold and sensitive.

• If you are interested in exploring themes of memory, healing, and forgiveness: It raises difficult but essential questions.

Why Watch: If You Value Cinema That Explores the Depths of the Human Psyche

• If you are drawn to films that don't shy away from uncomfortable truths: It tackles a taboo subject with honesty.

• To experience emotionally rich storytelling: The film evokes deep empathy for its characters' internal struggles.

• If you appreciate the subtlety of independent cinema: It relies on atmosphere, dialogue, and performance rather than overt dramatics.

• For a film that sparks meaningful discussions: Its themes will resonate and encourage reflection long after viewing.

• If you support diverse voices and international cinema: It offers a powerful story from a Colombian perspective.

Movie Trend: Trauma Narratives with Nuanced Victimhood

"Salt Water" (2024) aligns with the growing movie trend of Trauma Narratives with Nuanced Victimhood, where films explore the complex, often contradictory, psychological impact of trauma on individuals, moving beyond simplistic portrayals of victims as purely helpless or heroic. This trend delves into the grey areas of human emotion, including lingering attachments, complicated grief, and the struggle for agency within the shadow of past abuse. "Salt Water" exemplifies this by focusing on Jacobo's unsettling blend of resentment, pain, and residual affection for his abuser, offering a more psychologically realistic and less prescriptive exploration of a victim-survivor's journey.

Social Trend: Open Dialogue on Institutional Abuse and Complex Forgiveness

"Salt Water" (2024) contributes significantly to the ongoing social trend of Open Dialogue on Institutional Abuse and the Complexities of Forgiveness. With increasing global awareness and discussions surrounding child abuse within institutions (like the Catholic Church), there is a growing demand for media that confronts these issues directly and honestly. The film's willingness to depict the deeply uncomfortable emotional aftermath for a victim-survivor, including the struggle with conflicted feelings towards an abuser, aligns with a broader societal shift towards acknowledging the intricate, non-linear, and often unresolved nature of healing from such trauma. It encourages a more nuanced understanding of "forgiveness," if at all possible, as a deeply personal and often agonizing process, rather than a simple, clean act.

Final Verdict: A Brave and Necessary Confrontation of Trauma's Lingering Echoes

"Salt Water" (Agua Salá) (2024), Steven Morales Pineda's remarkable feature debut, is a profoundly unsettling and emotionally complex Colombian drama that courageously delves into the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma. Premiering at major film festivals in 2024 and now accessible on North American digital platforms since June 24, 2025, the film masterfully navigates the agonizing reunion between Jacobo, a man still grappling with the scars of his past, and José Luis, a Catholic priest facing new allegations. Morales Pineda's sensitive yet unflinching direction, coupled with powerful and nuanced performances from Luis Mario Jiménez and Óskar Salazar Ruiz, brings to light the intricate, often contradictory, emotions of a victim-survivor, challenging simplistic narratives and pushing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. "Salt Water" stands as a vital and artfully crafted exploration of enduring pain, the elusive nature of healing, and the complex human capacity for both love and aversion in the wake of profound betrayal.

Recommendations for filmmakers: Navigating Sensitive Subject Matter with Depth and Nuance

• Approach Traumatic Subjects with Unflinching Empathy and Psychological Nuance: "Salt Water" tackles the extremely sensitive issue of child abuse within an institutional context by focusing on the complex, often contradictory, emotional landscape of the victim-survivor. Filmmakers dealing with trauma should commit to portraying the psychological complexities honestly, avoiding sensationalism and allowing for ambiguity in emotional responses, recognizing that healing is rarely linear or simple. This empathetic and nuanced approach ensures that the film resonates deeply with audiences, fostering genuine understanding and challenging simplistic narratives that can often surround such painful topics, ultimately creating a more impactful and responsible cinematic experience.

• Prioritize Character-Driven Storytelling and Tense Dialogue to Unveil Inner Worlds: The film excels through its intense, dialogue-driven encounters between the two central characters, gradually revealing layers of suppressed emotions, denial, and past trauma. Directors crafting psychological dramas should focus on the intricate dynamics between characters, allowing their interactions and dialogue to slowly peel back the layers of their inner lives, building tension and revealing complexity without heavy exposition. This method immerses the audience directly into the characters' emotional struggles, making the viewers active participants in uncovering the narrative's deeper truths and fostering a more profound connection to the characters' individual journeys and shared history.

• Utilize Subtle Symbolism and Atmosphere to Convey Emotional Depth: Steven Morales Pineda masterfully uses symbolic elements and a meditative pace to convey profound emotional meaning and the haunting presence of the past. Filmmakers should explore how visual metaphors, sound design, and pacing can create an immersive atmosphere that subtly communicates characters' internal states and the film's overarching themes, rather than relying solely on explicit narrative exposition. By employing a more suggestive and artistic approach, directors can enhance the film's emotional impact, allowing the audience to engage more deeply with the subtext and nuances of the story, creating a more memorable and thought-provoking cinematic experience that lingers long after viewing.

Recommendations for Movie Industry: Fostering Brave Narratives and Global Voices

• Actively Seek and Support Films That Address Difficult Social Realities: "Salt Water" bravely brings a vital, yet deeply uncomfortable, conversation about institutional abuse into the cinematic spotlight. The movie industry should proactively fund, produce, and distribute films that courageously tackle challenging social issues and shed light on hidden injustices, recognizing their critical importance for societal reflection and dialogue. Supporting such narratives is not only an artistic imperative but also a social responsibility, demonstrating a commitment to fostering public awareness, challenging taboos, and contributing to a more empathetic and just society through the powerful medium of film.

• Champion Diverse International Voices and Co-productions: The film's Colombian origin offers a unique cultural and narrative perspective on a universal issue. The industry should continue to foster and invest in international co-productions and empower filmmakers from diverse global backgrounds, providing platforms for their unique stories and artistic visions to reach a worldwide audience. This commitment enriches the global cinematic landscape, introduces new storytelling approaches, and broadens audience perspectives by presenting narratives rooted in different cultural contexts, thereby promoting cross-cultural understanding and dialogue on shared human experiences.

• Embrace Digital Distribution for Niche and Festival-Acclaimed Dramas: "Salt Water"'s successful North American digital release after its festival run demonstrates a viable path for independent, foreign-language, and niche dramas to reach a broader audience. The industry should continue to prioritize robust digital distribution strategies for such films, leveraging their festival prestige to ensure accessibility beyond limited theatrical engagements. This approach democratizes access to diverse and thought-provoking cinema, allowing critically acclaimed films that might not fit a mainstream theatrical model to find their dedicated audience, maximizing their cultural impact and commercial potential in the evolving media landscape.

Final Conclusions: A Powerful Reflection on the Enduring Cost of Betrayal

"Salt Water" (2024), Steven Morales Pineda's deeply moving and unflinchingly honest feature debut, stands as a poignant testament to the long, arduous journey of healing from profound trauma. Premiering to critical acclaim at major festivals and now accessible on digital platforms, the Colombian drama plunges audiences into the unsettling reunion between a victim-survivor and his abuser, meticulously exploring the intricate and often contradictory emotional landscape of a past defined by betrayal. Morales Pineda's masterful direction, combined with powerful performances, creates a narrative that challenges societal norms and forces an uncomfortable reckoning with the complexities of love, hate, and the elusive nature of forgiveness. "Salt Water" is more than just a film; it is a vital act of cinematic courage, offering a raw, compassionate, and unforgettable exploration of enduring pain and the fragile hope for closure that resonates deeply with the human experience.