10 Latinx Films to Watch & Support Before Hispanic Heritage Month is over
Although Latinx representation in Hollywood has improved in the last few decades, it is still relatively low. According to the 2023 Latino Donor Collaborative in Media Report, since 2021, our participation in front and behind the cameras has actually decreased. Oftentimes, shows or movies centered around Latinos are not given a chance, as rarely does a show get a second or third season, and movies centered around Latinos often go straight to streaming or don’t do well at the box office. And it doesn’t matter if shows are well received by audiences and critics, like the shows “Vida” on Starz, “The Gordita Chronicles” on Max, or “Gentefied” on Netflix, all got canceled way too early, in my opinion.
But we all know that numbers and money drive Hollywood; the more popular something is, the better the chances are a show will get a second season, a movie will get a sequel, or the lead actors or filmmakers from that project will get more work. So, being that Hispanic Heritage Month will be over soon. Streaming services are pushing all their Latinx content onto our home screens. So, I’ve prepared a list of ten movies about the Latinx community or by Latinx talent for you to watch and support before Hispanic Heritage Month is over and help us increase our representation in the media.
Although there are filmmakers from all over Latin America, you will find that most of the films on this list are Mexican, as Mexico has the largest film market in Latin America.
10. Cassandro
I recently watched Cassandro on Amazon Prime, and it was such a great film about adversity and proving everyone wrong. Cassandro tells the true story of Saul Armendariz and his rise to wrestling stardom after creating the character of “Cassandro,” the “Exotico,” a character known worldwide in lucha libre. The film shows his early beginnings and how other wrestlers treated him during his rise to stardom. The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as he submerges himself into the character of Cassandro, his performance is transcending, and I have to say, if he doesn’t get an Oscar nomination for his performance, I am going to riot. The film is authentic in portraying the lucha libre world, so if you don’t mind the subtitles, you’ll fall in love with Cassandro the Exotico.
9. Pelo Malo (Bad Hair)
This is another film you need to not mind the subtitles in order to appreciate the film. Pelo Malo is a coming-of-age story about a Venezuelan boy who yearns to straighten his curly hair. In doing so, he elicits a wave of homophobic panic in his hard-working and struggling single mother, who has piled on extra stress after losing her job. The movie explores questions of sexuality, race, and the working class. This film made me cry so much; my heart broke for that little boy and his mother as she was forced to do some unfortunate things to get her job back from her sleazy boss. The film was very well done, it won best film at the Havana Film Festival and it was an official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival. This film will have you in your feelings throughout. You can watch the film for free here: https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/bad-hair-pelo-malo
8. La LLorona
This has to be the highest-rated Llorona film on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 96% score which is very impressive considering the only other LLorona film with a rating was cursed with a 7% rating. This film was Directed by Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamante and it takes a different approach when telling the legendary tale of “La Llorona.” The film explores the Mayan Genocide of the 80s in Guatemala, and it follows the dictator responsible for the Mayan Genocide as his health deteriorates and he becomes very paranoid. It was beautifully shot and I would consider this more of a historical film with a lot of supernatural elements to tell the story. You can stream this film on Shudder.
7. Vampires vs. The Bronx
If you love Vampires, check out Vampires vs. The Bronx. This Netflix comedy horror follows three young friends who are concerned about their beloved Bronx neighborhood getting gentrified until they discover they have more significant problems to worry about than hipsters: Vampires. After watching the 1998 movie Blade, the kids devise a plan to help cleanse the Bronx of the Vampires that are threatening their beloved borough. This is a light-hearted comedy with great performances all around. It was fun to see a fun story showcasing the modern-day Bronx. The film focuses on the power of community and dealing with change which is something we all can relate to.
6. CoCo
Over on the House of the Mouse, Disney+, we have Coco with a 97% percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Coco is a story about family and tradition. It follows young Miguel, who yearns to be a musician even though his family banned music from ever being played in the house by any family member. After Miguel finds himself in the land of the dead, he embarks on a colorful and magical adventure with a newfound dead friend and his stray dog, who helps him discover the real story behind his family history. There’s a scene with the abuela who reminded me of my abuela, and you guessed it, I broke down and cried. This is one of my favorite Pixar films; it is a beautiful story that explores traditions, life after death, and the meaning of family.
5. Roma
On Netflix, you can stream the Mexican film Roma, Written and Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who also served as the cinematographer and co-editor of the film. The movie is set in the 70s and follows Cleo, a maid who works for a wealthy Mexican family who live in Roma, a colonial neighborhood in Mexico City. It is based on Alfonso Cuaron’s childhood and told from the perspective of his childhood maid, Cleo. It showcases the wealth gap in Mexico, which can still be relatable today. It explores loss and infidelity, with powerful performances by both Yalitza Aparicio, who plays Cleo, and Marina de Tavira, who plays Sofia, Cleo’s wealthy boss. It is beautifully shot and a very personal and emotional story. It took home three Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Foreign Language Film.
4. Real Women Have Curves
Over on Max, you can stream the movie that introduced us to the icon that is America Ferrera: Real Women Have Curves. It is a coming-of-age story of a Mexican teen who is torn between moving to New York to go to school or following the path her immigrant mother and family have set out for her, staying in Los Angeles and working at her sister’s garment factory and eventually getting married and giving her mother some grandkids. It is a beautiful story with heart that looks at the struggle experienced by first-generation immigrants. Paving your path in life is a story we can all relate to, whether you are an immigrant or not. I really enjoyed this movie and thought America’s performance was excellent.
3. Flamin’ Hot
Over on Hulu and Disney+, you can check out Flamin’ Hot, the directorial debut of former Desperate Housewive Eva Longoria. Flamin’ Hot tells the story of Mexican American Richard Montañez, played by Jesse Garcia, a janitor who worked at the Frito-Lay plant and worked his way up to become an executive after creating the snack we all love, the Flaming Hot Cheeto. This is a story of determination and reaching the American dream. Although there are reports that Mr. Montañez might not have created the flaming hot Cheeto, it is still an enjoyable story that will inspire you one way or another.
2. Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the first Latino superhero introduced by DC Comics in 1939. It follows Jaime Reyes, a college grad who finds himself possessing the Scarab, an ancient relic of alien biotechnology. The Scarab chooses Jaime as its host, and Jaime is bestowed with a suit of armor capable of incredible and unpredictable powers, making Jaime the superhero Blue Beetle. I really enjoyed this film; it was directed by a Puerto Rican director, Angel Manuel Soto. It was a love letter to Latinx culture, and I found myself laughing and rooting for the Reyes family. It uses a lot of Latinx pop culture references, which brought me back to my childhood. It had a straightforward but compelling story about a young boy, Jaime, just trying to save his family from the evil hands of Victoria Kord, played by Susan Sarandon, who wants the Scarab from Jaime to use to create weapons. Blue Beetle is also the first character introduced in James Gunn’s new DC era. As of the writing of this article, you can rent the film on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, and it will be available to stream on Max in November.
1. Instructions Not Included
Instructions Not Included is a comedy-drama, heavy on drama, because I cried like a baby watching this film. It follows a Mexican playboy, played by Eugenio Berbez, who also directed the film, who, after creating a life for himself and the daughter that was left at his doorsteps six years prior by one of his one-night stands, the family he created is threatened when the birth mother reappears to claim the daughter. This is a love story between a parent and their child; the twist at the end will break your heart. It will have you crying with laughter and sobbing as if someone you hold dear has died. I didn’t know much about his film before watching it, but after I was done sobbing, it became one of my favorite films. I don’t know who hurt the writers of this film so much that they needed to write this movie how they did, but overall, it was a fantastic film. Eugenio Berbez was excellent at balancing the comedy with the drama aspect of the film. You can stream Instructions Not Included for free on Pluto TV, Fubo TV, or the Roku Channel.
