Bad Hombres

Greetings again from the darkness. January releases are always a bit of a gamble - not just for filmmakers, but also for viewers. A few gems are often buried in the indie dump, so an open mind is especially beneficial and necessary this time of year. Landing somewhere in between the hidden gems and the muck is this B-movie crime thriller from writer-director John Stalberg Jr, and his co-writers Rex New and Nick Turner.

Like so many immigrants to the United States, Felix (Diego Tinoco) is a bright-eyed man, desperate to work and save enough money to relocate his family from Ecuador. At a local convenience store one morning, Donnie (Luke Hemsworth) offers a job (digging a hole in the desert) to Felix and another day-laborer named Alfonso (Hemky Madera, "Queen of the South"). While Felix seems eager and friendly, Alfonso is grumpy and hardened, but it's Donnie and his cohort who turn out to be psychopaths and criminals. Things turn violent with a blast of gunfire and a pickax to the chest. Felix and Alfonso find themselves knee deep in a botched drug deal and are forced to become partners in order to survive.

Alfonso's secret past as 'God Killer' works to their advantage, and soon enough he has called in a favor from a skittish scumbag (Thomas Jane) who runs a junk lot with a car crusher. He also has a contact for a local veterinarian (Nick Cassavetes) who is on-call for, um, non-pet medical emergencies. On their tail is a fixer (Tyrese Gibson) who works for the "gringos" on one side of the drug deal gone wrong. Working to the film's advantage is that the actors are all fully engaged and never distract from a situation that most of us can't exactly relate to (thank goodness).

Felix has a dream of bringing his family to the states and opening a restaurant that features his specialty: chicken with pumpkin. While I will likely never try his signature dish, I found this little movie surprisingly easy to watch - despite the violence and low budget (and inconsistencies with Hemsworth's arm).

Opening in select theaters and VOD on January 26, 2024.

Bad Hombres, directed by John Stalberg Jr., is a film that aims to highlight the struggles of illegal immigrants in the Deep South. The plot centers around Felix (Diego Tinoco), who has crossed the border illegally and is trying to find his footing in a new environment with the help of his cousin. They spend their days searching for cash-paying odd jobs.

Stalberg teamed up with Rex New and Nick Turner to create the story, while New and Turner wrote the screenplay. Their previous collaborations contribute to a unified vision for the film. Chris Hemsworth shines as the foul-mouthed Donnie, fully embracing the wildness of his role. Meanwhile, Jane delivers a strong performance as the jaded Rob, providing some hilarious moments alongside Alfonso and Felix.

The cinematography does a great job of showcasing the area's isolation and emptiness, reflecting Felix's personal battles. Stalberg uses creative framing and angles to enhance the tension in various scenes. However, despite these strong aspects, Bad Hombres doesn't quite come together as a memorable or rewatchable film. As the plot veers into absurdity, it picks up speed, resulting in a somewhat entertaining movie that ultimately doesn't reach its full potential.

This movie seems to be made by intellectuals who grind their pen in violent genres or by amateurs with no idea of what could go right with this direction. The fight scene in the desert is of utmost stupidity and hilarity. That is if you can go past the premise already. It's a hollow motion picture with immigrants caught in the fires of witty self-criticism of one American Laurel with his grumpy sit-in-the-car Hardy. Remember if you watch this movie, it's like a lesson, don't go out with American strangers in the middle of nowhere to dig holes for $150. No matter how desperado you are. You might get out alive and enrich your family. Only in the American movies.

Hombres that is - rather than bad. Although bad to the bone and all that - might also be true! Which brings us to me telling you that I did not intend the pun in the summary line (and you hopefully believing it) ... as much as you believe the story you get presented here hopefully. We do have some suspense of disbelief that we have to take into account.

The story is quite simple, it is more about the adventures of our main characters. Well played (considering the genre) and the action is well executed too (this surely has to be intended? The pun that is ... well you decide). They surely are not sending only the worst - they do seem to rile up the worst in some other folks though ... I would not see or make this to be political to be honest! No matter where you stand on the subject matter ... this is supposed to be a movie ... and one that is meant to entertain one way or another (I feel it succeeds)

"Bad Hombres" is a thrilling and intense movie that takes audiences on a suspenseful journey. The film centers around two undocumented immigrants who innocently accept a seemingly simple job of digging a hole in the desert. However, their lives take a dark and dangerous turn when they discover that their employers are psychopaths.

The plot of the movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the two immigrants find themselves trapped in a life-or-death situation. The tension builds as they struggle to outwit their deranged employers and stay alive. The film explores themes of survival, resilience, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves in dire circumstances.

The performances in "Bad Hombres" are captivating, with the actors bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. The chemistry between the two leads adds to the emotional intensity of the story, as viewers become invested in their fight for survival.

The directing and cinematography of the film are commendable, effectively capturing the harshness and isolation of the desert setting. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of suspense and action, as well as quieter, character-driven scenes that deepen the emotional impact.

"Bad Hombres" is a thought-provoking movie that raises questions about power dynamics, morality, and the human capacity for resilience. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and the dangers they may encounter in their pursuit of a better life.

Overall, "Bad Hombres" is a gripping and suspenseful film that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. It combines thrilling action with compelling performances, making it a must-watch for fans of suspenseful thrillers.