I’m Still Here is an under-the-radar drama that is packing punches like a Netflix heavyweight. Think family, courage, and a country’s unseen history all wrapped in one gripping story. Featuring legendary faces and a plot that creeps in and clamps down. If Alias Grace or The Crown are on the watchlist, this flick’s sharp twists and raw emotion fit right in. It is that stealthy package — sneaky, powerful, and impossible to forget once it grabs hold.

Picture a fearless mom swept up in history's storm and secrets. If When They See Us or Unorthodox got the heart racing, this hidden gem is about to crash that party—and steal the spotlight in style.

Oscar nominee Fernanda Torres starrer the emotional docudrama I’m Still Here is now streaming on Netflix in the US. The film tells the real-life story of Eunice Paiva, a mother of five, whose life is turned upside down by Brazil’s brutal military dictatorship in the 1970s. After winning Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards, this hidden gem is finally reaching American audiences—and it is not one to miss.

Released in theaters on January 17 and digitally on March 11, I’m Still Here has taken a slow but steady path to international recognition. Directed by Walter Salles and based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s powerful memoir, the film features Torres’ real-life mother Fernanda Montenegro as older Eunice and Selton Mello as her husband Rubens. With a Best Picture nomination and critical acclaim, the story hits hard, blending political history with raw personal loss.

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The film is lighting up screens everywhere, but the real fireworks happened offstage. Casting curves flipped the script, shook up the lineup, and this one has a surprise that no one saw coming.

Fernanda Torres was not the first name on the list to star in I’m Still Here. The director initially picked another actress, since Torres was older than Eunice, as she herself said. But when issues arose, Torres stepped in like a plot twist no one saw coming. She shared with The Hollywood Reporter how her “personal connections to the family” and the way her mom resembled Eunice made her the perfect fit. This surprise casting became one of the season's most widely acclaimed turns, landing Torres a Best Actress Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe. 

Since its January theater debut, I’m Still Here reportedly earned over $35 million worldwide on a modest budget. And while the accolades followed, it was a quiet verdict from her mother that may have meant the most. Critics gave it a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, applauding its compelling story and outstanding acting. Now streaming on Netflix as of May 17, the film continues to captivate audiences in the US, revealing a gripping true story of courage and resilience during Brazil’s darkest times.

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Are you excited to watch I’m Still Here and experience this powerful story? Let us know in the comments!