Agora (2009)
Alexandria, Egypt. 391 A.D. The World Changed Forever.
Director: Alejandro Amenábar · Writers: Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil
A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria and her relationship with her slave Davus, who is torn between his love for her and the possibility of gaining his freedom by joining the rising tide of Christianity.
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Amazon Video
Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Fandango At Home
Trailer
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Cast
Rachel Weisz
Hypatia 
Max Minghella
Davus 
Oscar Isaac
Orestes 
Ashraf Barhom
Ammonius 
Michael Lonsdale
Theon 
Rupert Evans
Synesius 
Homayoun Ershadi
Aspasius 
Sami Samir
Cyril 
Richard Durden
Olympius 
Omar Mostafa
Isidorus 
Manuel Cauchi
Theophilus 
Oshri Cohen
Medorus User Reviews (2)
Agora represents a rather chaotic and completely inaccurate historical biopic. Despite the commendable acting by Rachel Weisz and Oscar Isaac, the movie, which was created with a significant budget, strangely exudes an air of thriftiness typically associated with lower-budget productions. The storyline itself verges on the absurd, taking considerable liberties with historical facts by reshaping them and even conjuring entirely new occurrences. This departure from reality transforms the work from a scholarly biopic into a realm of pure fantasy. The library of Alexandria no longer existed during the time of Hypatia. Furthermore, the circumstances surrounding the destruction or closure of the Library of Alexandria remain shrouded in mystery. The precise cause, whether through fire or deliberate demolition, eludes us. Yet the film decides to come up with its own narrative as to how …
Agora is a well-crafted film that manages to be both entertaining and educational. While the movie takes some creative liberties with the historical events, which is understandable given the gaps in recorded history, it does a great job of capturing the essence of the time. The writing feels solid, and despite some moments that might stretch historical accuracy, the story remains compelling and thought-provoking. The acting is another highlight. Rachel Weisz shines as Hypatia, bringing intelligence and grace to the role. Her portrayal makes Hypatia’s struggle with philosophy, reason, and the changing world around her deeply engaging. Most of the main cast delivered strong performances that added depth to the characters and their relationships. The directing is to the point, keeping the narrative focused on the tension between reason and dogma. The production design deserves credi…
