The Lost City of Z (2016)

The Lost City of Z (2016) is a true-life, slow-burning historical drama about British explorer Percy Fawcett and his obsessive search for a fabled advanced city in the Amazon. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows Fawcett’s repeated expeditions into the jungle after he finds tantalizing evidence—fragments of pottery and other artifacts—that challenge the era’s dismissive views of indigenous civilizations. Back home he is ridiculed by the scientific establishment, but buoyed by his determined belief and the support of his wife, son and loyal aide. Viewers will experience a richly atmospheric period piece: lush, immersive cinematography of the Amazon, meticulous period detail, and tense, often dangerous expedition sequences that convey both the physical hardships of jungle travel and the moral complexity of colonial-era exploration. The film is equal parts adventure and character study—quiet, contemplative scenes about family and duty sit alongside moments of real peril, and the narrative builds toward the film’s haunting, unresolved conclusion when Fawcett vanishes on his final voyage. Expect a restrained, elegiac tone rather than constant action. The movie emphasizes obsession, faith in an idea, and the costs that single-minded pursuit can exact on relationships and on one’s reputation. If you like thoughtful historical dramas with strong performances, immersive world-building, and an ending that lingers, The Lost City of Z delivers a compelling, melancholic look at a real-life mystery.

Actors: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller

Director: James Gray

Runtime: 141 min

Genres: Biography, Drama

5.9 /10 78 /100 6.6 /10 6.8 /10