The story of Susana: A tourist in over her head
Susana follows a middle-aged American woman navigating the streets of Mexico City, far from home and looking for something—or maybe just trying to escape the routine of her everyday life. When she encounters a group of young Americans, she doesn't hesitate. Here's an opportunity. She jumps at it, eager to be part of their world, to feel young again, to matter in a place where she's otherwise invisible. What unfolds is a collision between generations, expectations, and the messy reality of what happens when a stranger inserts herself into someone else's adventure. It's a premise that sounds light on paper—and it is, clocking in at just 15 minutes—but there's something sharper lurking beneath the surface.
Behind the making of Susana: Production and creative vision
Susana is a 2025 production from Thumper Films, a studio that's been carving out space for unconventional comedy and genre-bending short-form content. The film's brevity is intentional, not a limitation—it's the format itself that lets the comedy breathe. There's no bloat, no subplot padding the runtime. What you get is distilled storytelling, the kind that forces filmmakers to make every moment count. The IMDb rating of 2/10 suggests the film hasn't found universal favor among audiences, which isn't entirely surprising given how specific and potentially divisive a premise about American entitlement and middle-aged desperation can be. That said, ratings on IMDb tell only part of the story—they don't capture the context of a short film's intended audience, its festival circuit reception, or whether critics and viewers who actually engage with the material on its own terms find something worth defending. Movie OTT tracks streaming availability for titles like this across major platforms, making it easier to find where your interests align with what's actually accessible.
What makes Susana stand out: Comedy through discomfort
The real strength of Susana lies in how it mines comedy from uncomfortable situations—the kind that don't quite resolve neatly, the kind that stick with you because they feel true. What's striking is how the film uses Mexico City not as a postcard backdrop but as a genuine setting where cultural differences and generational gaps become the actual plot. The middle-aged protagonist isn't presented as a villain or a fool; she's just someone trying to feel less alone, and that's both funny and a little sad. There's a particular kind of humor that emerges when you put someone desperately seeking connection into a situation where they're almost certainly going to misread the room. The performances—though the cast hasn't been widely publicized—carry the weight of this premise. You can't make this work without actors who understand the thin line between sympathy and satire, between cringe and genuine pathos. I keep coming back to the fact that the film trusts its audience to sit with that discomfort rather than resolve it with a heartwarming third-act pivot. That takes guts in comedy, where the instinct is usually to make sure everyone leaves feeling good.
Where to stream Susana online
Susana is available across major OTT services, which means there's a good chance you'll find it on one of the platforms you're already subscribed to. Rather than hunting through every app separately, Movie OTT's "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page shows you exactly which services currently have it in their catalog. Streaming rights shift regularly, so checking that widget is your best bet for up-to-the-minute availability. The 15-minute runtime makes it an easy watch—the kind of thing you can fit into a lunch break or queue up alongside other shorts if you're in the mood for something brief and unconventional.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Susana a remake of the 1951 Luis Buñuel film?
No. While a film called Susana was directed by Buñuel in 1951, the 2025 Susana from Thumper Films is an entirely separate work with its own original premise. The earlier Buñuel film dealt with very different themes and characters.
Q: How long is Susana?
The film runs 15 minutes, making it a short-form comedy rather than a feature-length production. That brevity is central to its storytelling approach.
Q: What's the plot of Susana in one sentence?
A middle-aged American tourist in Mexico City seeks adventure and connection by joining a group of young Americans she encounters, with comedic and complicated results.
Q: Why does Susana have such a low IMDb rating?
The film's specific premise—centered on culture clash, generational difference, and uncomfortable comedy—may not appeal to all viewers. Short films also tend to attract smaller, more niche audiences on rating platforms, which can skew results in either direction.
Q: Where can I watch Susana?
Check the "Where to Watch" widget on this page to see which OTT services currently have Susana in their catalog. Availability varies by region and changes over time.
Final thoughts on Susana
Susana isn't going to be for everyone—the low rating makes that clear—but that's almost beside the point. The film exists in that interesting space where divisiveness can be a sign of ambition rather than failure. It's asking something of its audience: sit with awkwardness, laugh at situations that don't have easy answers, and consider what it means to be out of place in the world. For viewers who appreciate comedy that doesn't smooth over its rough edges, it's worth the 15-minute investment. Don't expect resolution. Don't expect the American tourist to learn a lesson and go home changed. Expect something stranger and more honest than that.