Director: Julián Hernández
Year: 2019
Country: Mexico
Alternate Titles: Rancor tatuado
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Plot:
Set in chaotic 1990s Mexico City where criminals go unpunished, a heroine becomes the avenger of raped young women. Wearing different disguises, she seduces the rapists, puts them to sleep, and then brands them with tattoos. As her enemies encroach, her only salvation is the emancipation of another woman.
Review:
Overall, this is a pretty solid and endearing thriller. There's quite a lot to like here with the stunning look and feel here, with the stark and gritty black-and-white photography that effectively captures the darkness of the storyline. That the vast majority of the film comes with that mindset while the backstory sequences showing how she got to be the avenger she is now that's turned her into the cold, ruthless figure out to help the weak the way she was never able to. As she's able to move her way through the underworld taking out the men who hurt those who hurt her friends in an elaborate manner featuring seduction, drugging and then painstakingly detailed tattooing of a scorpion over the offending perpetrators genital region, there's a clear connection between this intriguing visual style and the hard-edged main character. Letting her come off in a near superheroine manner, taking on anything with a determined nature that spells confidence spawned from numerous successful missions of which we see a few taking place here, helps to further that aspect of the film.
There are a few minor issues to be had here. Almost all of the film’s big issues come from the extended and overlong running time that brings about several small factors. The main one is an extended segment from a voice-over artist on the radio detailing the crime-spree she has been committing along the way that paints the picture of what she’s going in a sensual manner, which is perfect for the vigilante actions being performed but adds an unnecessary layer to the movie that’s not really needed due to the film’s nature. That’s already been established and to add on an extra layer of comprehension doesn’t feel as completely genuine when this one opts for a more cerebral method in the rest of the film. The other problem is the general lethargy in the pacing anyway, keeping the film so sluggish and dragged out that it feels as long as it is with a near two-and-a-half-hour running time. That is the main stumbling block with the film as it’s not a boring effort but is just long and feels it which is the biggest issue.
Overview: ***/5
While not without some rather egregious flaws in it’s pacing and general approach to the material, on the whole, this is a solid and enjoyable thriller that packs in a lot of intriguing content. Give this a look if you’re into these kinds of slow-burn arthouse-style thrillers or are curious about the style, while those turned off by other factors here should heed caution.
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