Cast
View AllJoyce Cuervo
as Sister (segment 'Drena')
Leslie Arce
as Teenager (segment 'Drena')
Sara Camacho
as Valeria (segment 'La cosa más preciada')
Dulce Alexa
as Laura (segment 'Lo que importa es lo de adentro')
Adrián Aguirre
as Caged Man (segment 'Muñecas')
Mayra Angélica Chávez
as Caged Woman #1 (segment 'Muñecas')
Ana Rosa Dávila
as Caged Woman #2 (segment 'Muñecas')
Mayra Espinoza
as Tourist #1 (segment 'Muñecas')
Ana Castro
as Tourist #2 (segment 'Muñecas')
Diana Contreras
as Wife (segment 'Siete veces siete')
Emi Kamito
as Ana (segment 'Día de los Muertos')
Ken Dresen
as Greg (segment 'Día de los Muertos')
Gabriel Carter
as Joe (segment 'Día de los Muertos')
Breann Grainger
as Lola (segment 'Día de los Muertos')
Aria DeMaris
as Maya (segment 'Día de los Muertos')
Crew
Director
- Isaac Ezban
- Jorge Michel Grau
- Gigi Saul Guerrero
- Ulises Guzmán Reyes
- Edgar Nito
- Aarón Soto
- Laurette Flores
- Lex Ortega
Writer
- Gigi Saul Guerrero
Producer
- Gigi Saul Guerrero
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Barbarous Mexico presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Isaac Ezban brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Barbarous Mexico took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 110 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 168 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2018 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 42 unique compositions.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2014, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Barbarous Mexico shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Shrek, which focuses more on action than character development, Barbarous Mexico subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like La chica del lago and I Was a Teenage Serial Killer explore similar territory, Barbarous Mexico stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 18, 2014
- Runtime: 1h 50m
