Anastasia Raieski

To begin with, it’s surprising that a story supposedly centered on Latin American realities features an American cast. This choice undermines the film’s authenticity, which is further reflected in the poor Spanish spoken by the actors, particularly Selena Gomez, making it hard to take seriously. The movie touches on sensitive topics like disappearances in Mexico but does so with an alarming lack of nuance. Instead of delving into the human impact of these tragedies, it focuses on superficial elements: luxurious outfits, flashy choreography, and musical numbers that add little substance to the narrative. Another troubling issue is how it romanticizes drug trafficking and organized crime, presenting them in a stylized manner that trivializes their devastating consequences. This creates a significant disconnect from the harsh realities faced by those directly affected by these issues. It’s hard to understand how this film received so many awards and accolades at festivals like Cannes, which are completely removed from the Latin American context. This highlights the persistent stereotypes held abroad, where we are often reduced to caricatures: criminals, drug lords, and little else. Films like this perpetuate harmful clichés while ignoring the richness and complexity of Latin American cultures and experiences.