Under a Volcano (Bajo un volcan) (2025) Review: Lava, Love and Mixed Signals

This under a volcano review covers the 2025 Spanish disaster romance directed by Martín Cuervo. It pairs a natural threat on Tenerife with a love story between two stubborn professionals. The idea is appealing, but the film struggles to decide what it wants to be.

Under a Volcano Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot centres on Mario Torres, a captain and experienced military pilot. He arrives in Tenerife just as the danger of an eruption appears to have eased. Then a dispute with a scientific committee changes the mood, and the threat to the island's north feels very real again.

Alongside that, Mario crosses paths with a headstrong scientist, and the sparks fly almost at once. The setup promises a clash between discipline and instinct, with the volcano ticking away in the background. Anything beyond that first act is best discovered on your own.

The film blends action, adventure and romantic drama, though it is listed here mainly as a romance movie with a drama streak. It runs about 92 minutes, so it moves briskly.

What Works in Under a Volcano

The premise has a built-in hook. A volcano threatening a holiday island gives the story natural stakes, and the Canary Islands setting offers a striking backdrop. A romance between a pilot and a scientist also sets up easy friction between caution and action.

• A clear, accessible concept that fits the disaster-romance mould

• A tight runtime that keeps things moving

• A cast with enough experience to carry the lighter moments

One reviewer on IMDb praised the cast and the acting, even while criticising the plot. That suggests the performers do better than the script gives them room for.

Under a Volcano Cast and Performances

The under a volcano cast is led by William Levy as Mario Torres and Maggie Civantos as the scientist Dani Melián. Adriana Torrebejano plays Ana Salamero. Elia Galera appears as Comandante Carles, Fabiola Guajardo as Ximena and Antón Lofer as Cabo López.

Reception of the leads is divided. Decine21 found Levy's performance unnatural and described his character as haughty and boastful, never quite believable or close. Other viewers were kinder and singled out the cast as a strength.

The supporting players add some texture, but the material rarely gives them much to do. The chemistry at the centre matters most in a film like this, and opinions on it vary widely.

Where Under a Volcano Stumbles

The biggest issue is tonal confusion. One viewer said the film had a hard time deciding whether it was a romance or a disaster movie, and that the plot felt messy. That matches the sense that neither half gets enough room to land.

Decine21 also argued that Cuervo seems little interested in exploring the real human, social or emotional consequences of a natural disaster. For a story about a community under threat, that is a real gap. The danger can feel like scenery rather than a force that changes people.

Audience scores reflect the split. IMDb sits around 3.7 out of 10 and Filmaffinity around 3.2, while TMDB shows a friendlier 6.3 from far fewer votes. Decine21 gave it 4 out of 10.

Is Under a Volcano Worth Watching?

It is worth a look only if you enjoy light, flawed disaster romances and don't mind a loose script. The concept and setting are inviting, and the cast has its defenders. But the uneven tone and thin emotional stakes hold it back.

If you want a gripping disaster thriller, you may feel shortchanged. If you want a breezy watch with a scenic backdrop, it can pass an evening. Fans of Spanish-language cinema may find it more interesting than the low scores suggest.

For something with a sharper romantic edge, try our take on Tere Ishk Mein. For more high-stakes spectacle, browse our adventure movie reviews. You can also check the film's cast and crew details on IMDb.

Who Will Enjoy Under a Volcano

• Viewers who like romance mixed with disaster-movie spectacle

• Fans of Spanish-language films and Canary Islands settings

• Anyone after a short, undemanding watch with modest expectations