Directed By: Diego Hallivis
Written By: Diego Hallivis And Julio Hallivis
Cinematography: Unax Mendia
Editor: Alex Marquez
Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Jenna Ortega, Allen Moldonado, Eric Dane, Brett Cullen, Yumarie Morales, Jorge Diaz, Bella Ortiz, Catherine McCafferty
After a governor issues an executive order to arrest the children of undocumented immigrants, the newly detained youth are offered an opportunity to have their charges dropped by volunteering to provide care to the elderly. Once inside the eldercare facility, the volunteers discover the governor and the facility’s supervisor have cooked up a horrifyingly depraved conspiracy that endangers the young and the old in this twisted thriller-comedy.
Well this film certainly is never truly surprising as it seems to play by all the cliché rules that one is used to.
There are a few qualities that I can give the film. The young cast is likable particularly the three leads played by Jenna Ortega (One wishes she had more to do with her role) Jorge Lendeborg Jr (who is always cast in these kinds of lower budget straight to streaming kind of films of this type but never quite gets the starring roles he deserves in bigger projects) and Allen Moldonado here as the wise guybcomedic reoiefnthst he has been playing on so many television shows, So far it is his expertise.
Also, the film at least is trying to say something being subversive with its political message and allegory that fits into not only the politics of the time, but unfortunately even current politics. Just putting it under a teen horror window.
The film is entertaining enough as you watch it, but it’s instantly unforgettable after you watch it. It’s a popcorn movie with a message even as it tries to be something bigger and better.
It’s a film that just constantly feels like it falls too short in many categories in violence, Exploitation characters, scares.
It seems better suited for an introduction into horror movie with a bit of satire as it seems to play more for a teen audience, but it’s rating and some material might keep it out of their grasp. Even as it seems perfectly to fit with that audience.
It’s not terrible. It’s just basic that could be a lot tighter and faster but at least it seems to try.
As the film plays like a Hispanic exploitation film. Where all the bad guys are caucasian. I have no problem personally with that as would like to see more films like this. Though one wonders why thebdsrkest skinned character. Who is black and Spanish mixed is the only one of the heroes to murder someone on screen. Even though heroically.
Most likely the audience will come here for Jenna Ortega even as she plays one of the smaller leading roles there’s nothing here that might indicate her future superstar status, but she does. What is required of the role perfect as a follow-up to her Disney show STUCK IN THE MIDDLE and the film THE BABYSITTER 2: KILLER QUEEN
Put out by Blumhouse Productions. This might have worked better as an episode of their horror anthology series INTO THE DARK. In which episodes goniver 60 minutes into feature film length.
Grade: C
