South American cinema has never been afraid to confront its political and social realities, and in recent years, its reach has extended far beyond its borders.
Guatemala's Jayro Bustamante (La Llorona) continues this tradition with "Rita," a harrowing and visually stunning dark-fantasy-horror that draws inspiration from the real-life tragedy of 2017, in which 41 girls perished in a fire at a state-run orphanage.
Rather than presenting a straightforward dramatization, Bustamante weaves horror and fantasy into the fabric of this true story, creating a deeply unsettling and emotionally raw experience.
At the film's heart is Rita, a 13-year-old girl placed in an orphanage to escape her abusive father. But once inside, she quickly realizes that what awaits her, may be even more terrifying than the life she left behind.
Through her eyes, "Rita" unravels a world of cruelty and suffering, one that feels both painfully real and eerily surreal. The film shows, with no mercy, the horrors these girls endured, yet it avoids gratuitous depictions of violence. Instead, it immerses the audience in the psychological and emotional torment they faced, making for an unrelenting and deeply affecting watch.
Bustamante's use of dreamlike horror is nothing short of masterful. The horror of this film lies in its unsettling dialogues and grotesque, otherworldly creatures. They blur the line between reality and fantasy, reinforcing the idea that the girls' suffering is so extreme it feels almost supernatural.
The visual storytelling is elevated further by the striking 2.75:1 aspect ratio, a choice that enhances both the film's intimacy and its oppressive atmosphere. Wide shots capture the decaying institution in its entirety, while the increasingly claustrophobic framing mirrors the growing tension and despair, creating an unrelenting and immersive sense of horror.
Despite its heavy subject matter, "Rita" does not drown in hopelessness. The film's true strength lies in the relationships between the girls, whose shared trauma fosters moments of resilience and defiance. This bond becomes the emotional core of the film, offering rare glimpses of light in an otherwise bleak narrative.
The pacing is deliberate, allowing these connections to develop naturally, making the inevitable tragedy all the more devastating.
If "Rita "falters, it is in its opening act. The film thrusts the audience into an unfamiliar and disorienting world, making it difficult to immediately engage with the story. The fragmented introduction requires patience, but once the film finds its rhythm, it delivers an experience that is as emotionally shattering as it is visually mesmerizing.
Bustamante has crafted something truly special with "Rita" - a film that is both a stunning work of art and a searing social critique. It is not an easy watch, nor should it be.
For those drawn to visually stunning horror with biting social critique, Rita is a haunting ordeal but one that demands to be witnessed.
