Jayro Bustamante’s latest film, RITA, is a stunning yet sobering dark fantasy that delves into the horrific experiences of young girls trapped in a corrupt Guatemalan orphanage. Following his politically charged retelling of La Llorona, Bustamante continues his critique of systemic injustices, this time focusing on the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable children locked away in oppressive, prison-like environments.
The film’s young cast delivers powerful performances, vividly capturing the bitterness and despair of their grim reality. Their raw, evocative acting drives home the emotional weight of the story, which is all the more heart-wrenching knowing it’s based on true events.
Visually, Bustamante’s artistic choices are striking yet divisive. The use of an ultra-narrow 2.75:1 aspect ratio—a rarity in modern filmmaking—creates a distinctive and deliberate viewing experience. While bold, this choice may leave some viewers questioning its practicality, especially for home viewing. Is it pretentious, overly ambitious, or a purposeful artistic statement? The framing undeniably emphasizes the characters’ confinement, with walls constantly pressing in from both sides of the screen. However, given that the film will likely find its primary audience on home screens, the decision feels less accommodating and may even frustrate those watching on smaller setups.
Despite its technical challenges, the cinematography is often gorgeous. Bustamante composes meticulously framed shots that reveal his painterly approach to visual storytelling. Yet, the dreamlike imagery is intentionally muted with dreary, washed-out colors, ensuring the fantastical elements never overshadow the story’s grim subject matter. The contrast between beauty and bleakness reflects the harsh truths at the heart of the film.
This is not a movie that offers comfort or easy resolutions. Bustamante refuses to deliver a crowd-pleasing finale, opting instead for a deeply somber conclusion that underscores the relentless injustice faced by his characters. Life, as the film reminds us, can be cruel, and this story seeks to illuminate those dark corners many would rather ignore.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(RITA is available now on Shudder.)
Further Viewing
I am a big fan of Issa López’s Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017). This film serves as an exceptional companion piece. Both weave supernatural elements into real-world horrors, yet Bustamante’s work stands out for its aggressive commitment to social commentary. Both movies are harrowing yet essential pieces of cinema, shedding light on forgotten stories and demanding the attention they deserve.
Note
While classified as horror, this is not a film typical to the genre and may not please viewers looking for chills and thrills. Like Bustamante's other films, it defies easy categorization and is more a "dramatic horror" of the human condition. A more suitable home for a film like this is MUBI, but Shudder is proving to be a streaming service for a broad spectrum of horror tastes, from cheezfests and mainstream to foreign and arthouse films. Go Shudder!
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