Over the last few years I’ve reviewed quite a few Mexican horror films. Most of them were from the ’70s and ’80s. The movies had plenty of scares and were as good as the films Hollywood was making at the time. I’ve also seen the early movies Guillermo del Toro appearing on the scene in the ’90s. It feels like my small understanding is from the 20th Century. What’s happening in the 21st Century in Mexican horror? Who are the new names wanting to put a bit of fear on the screen? Mexico Barbaro II is an anthology film with 9 writer-directors contributing their short visions.
“La Leyenda De Juan Soldado” has a man with a sack over his head being taken across the desert roped to horses to a remote graveyard. Why is he about to be killed? We’re not sure, but his abductors swear he’s guilty. He makes a run for it and discovers himself in a pit and he’s not alone. “Paidos Phobos” has a woman’s visit to a bar go horribly wrong. Later she tries to erase the mistake. “Potonalli” has an abusive father push his family too hard. He’s an absolute monster and the rest of the family gives him a farewell dinner. It’s morbid fun. “Bolas de Fuego” has a movie within the movie that includes a guy dressed up as a devil. Turns out his film is a bit more carnal when his co-star arrives and more devilish than intended. “Vitriol” has a model who has a fear of leaving her apartment go outside to pick up a few things at the hardware store. She wants to change her appearance.
“No Te Duermas” is about a child’s fears as attempts to get to sleep. He fears a spider will crawl up his nose and other things his late grandmother told him. He fears so much that he’d rather wet the bed than get out to go to the bathroom. Is there anything that scary after dark? “Ya Es Hora” has two teenage girls on the roof setting up a ritual. They spray paint a pentagram and begin a hex so they can get revenge on classmates that didn’t invite them to a sleepover. There’s a lot of puking of blood and teeth among other nastiness. “Exodoncia” deals with a woman on smack getting freaky with her drug buddy. There’s a tribute to The Exorcist and Gene Simmons. Things get weirder as her need for a fix gets worse.
Mexico Barbaro II has the short films approach horror in different ways so that you don’t get confused when one stops and the next begins. You won’t be confusing the devilish adult film shoot with the bloody slumber party. There are tone shifts between the pieces. A few have a bit of humor while others are completely bleak. There are titles at the start of each short to let you know the director. While there’s no framing story, the pacing keeps things hopping so it’s not missed. None of the entries bog down the screen. There are different views of life in Mexico offered in the stories. We get a variety of nightmares. The grotesque special effects are top notch for the stories. The nastiness that happens at the slumber party stands out for the wide variety of stomach-churning moments as the teenagers meet their cursed fate. Mexico Barbaro II is a great view of what’s frightening on the other side of the border.
The Video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. There are a few of the films that letterbox the different aspect ratio. The digitally shot films look great and never lose their squeamish impact. The Audio is DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo in Spanish. You’ll hear the nightmares as they kick into overdrive. The subtitles are in English.
La Leyenda De Juan Soldado (9:12) takes us behind the scenes. The producer felt the piece was rather ambitious for the budget and production time. Director Abraham Sanchez was able to show how it could be done.
Bolas De Fuego (7:59) has the crew shooting the undead make up. There are a lot of people in the apartment making the special effects look good.
Vitriol BTS & Gallery (0:36) is a little dance move on the set followed by still photos (8:00) of the shoot.
No Te Duermas (3:22) has them creating the bird effect.
Exodoncia (2:31) gives us a glimpse on how you put a spine on a man wearing a tutu.
Still Gallery (1:36) shows off more frames from the various short films.
Theatrical Trailer (1:53) gives a sampling of the nightmares to come.
Unearthed Films presents Mexico Barbaro II. Directed by Abraham Sánchez, Carlos Meléndez, Christian Cueva, Diego Cohen, Fernando Urdapilleta, Lex Ortega, Michelle Garza, Ricardo Farias & Sergio Tello. Running Time: Rated: Unrated. Release Date: January 16, 2024.
