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A mysterious thriller set in the Mexican /Belize rain forest circa 1920. Two Belize/English speaking women in white are on the run from their English master, Cacique, (not a very English name?) Florence is a nurse, Agnes appears to be an intended bride. Cacique and is men catch up with them and kill the man who helped them escape, the women are shot and left for dead. Agnes however survives and wanders into the jungle, where she is found by a crew of gum harvesters. Amongst the men Agnes arouses their desires and as they decide to make a run for the border with their haul of gum they become paranoid that their boss will track them down and kill them. Is it the jungle and nature playing on their minds or are they bewitched by Agnes?, A Mayan voice over tells us about the dangers of the jungle and the mythical legend of Xtabay, a Demon woman who lures men to their death. The atmosphere of the jungle is claustrophobic and lends itself to some wonderful cinematography, it's full of wild animals and tension , a fittingly haunting score plays up the tension some more. It's actually almost a horror film but maybe too subtle for most people's definition?. The actors are pretty good and even though Agnes is a very laconic character, Indira Rubie Andrewin exudes mysteriousness. A film that might inspire you to look up Xtabay on Wikipedia, as it did me.

The most likely UNDERAGED girl slave character had what 5 lines with absolutely no plot line. Aggravated.

A Belizean woman, Agnes, heads out into the jungle to escape an arrange marriage. Near the border with Mexico she encounters a group of workers who initially treat her kindly and with respect. However, over time their desires complicate proceedings and Agnes becomes an object of lust. While seemingly innocent, Agnes is far from vulnerable.

A film that promised much. The initial plot suggested a theme of female empowerment and generally freedom from oppression. The encounter with the workers leads to simmering sexual tension and a thought that Agnes is not safe anymore. This all makes for an intriguing set up to the plot.

However, the film never really takes off. The tension is drawn out to the nth degree without any real progress in the story. Moreover, the film goes from psychological thriller to supernatural drama, definitely a step down.

In the end it just fizzles out, rather than ends saying anything profound or being entertaining. Quite disappointing.

I felt the need to write up a short review because, well, there weren't that many and I think this film deserves some words from a more balanced perspective.

First, this is not a movie to watch if you're looking for a "haunting flick" with jump-scares and ghostly apparitions. Its tempo is rather slow and pondering. But if you can enjoy movie experiences that are more like meditations, do not pass up on this film. This might also not be a film for your average date night as it has themes and certain shots that are extremely discomforting.

But if you, like me, enjoy movies that take place in the jungle and uses the jungle as a sort of n:th character in the plot (I immediately think of Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Apocalypse Now and Cannibal Holocaust to name a few), and you can - like previously mentioned - enjoy a movie that puts forth suggestive themes and existential questions in a shroud of contemplative horror, you'll enjoy it.

I deeply appreciate the fact that the movie uses both english, spanish and mayan language as it adds to the realism (as well as the narrative, which you'll understand by watching it), and the characters all felt believable and interesting in their own ways. It sort of reminds me of The Witch (2015) in some ways too, with its suggestive cinematography, and the music is haunting and unnerving.

Perfect for a late night watch if you can stomach the existential dread.

With perfect photography, tense music and sound, good direction and tropical reminisces to Coppola's "APOCALYPSE NOW" and Malick's "THE THIN RED LINE", this is, undoubtedly, a must see film.