Heroic

I completed my military service in the early 2010's, therefore I had contact with the Mexican military for a tedious year, who did everything possible to recruit new young people willing to give their lives for Mexico and fight drug trafficking in the infamous "War on Drugs."

Although I did not enlist, I did discover a somber and dark side of the military.

Most have psychopathic traits, with only a slight trace of humanity, hiding behind patriotism. Some are bigoted, corrupt and have ties to drug trafficking, so they receive a double salary.

And that's exactly what this film captures. The militia is a sort of social ladder for the most disadvantaged classes, sometimes just the only option besides drug trafficking.

However, indoctrination methods are terrible, abuse, torture and humiliation are disguised as "discipline" and "courage" reserved for "real men". Machism is of course rampant, and this isn't obviously exclusive of Mexico.

In this film, cinematography is majestic, especially the shots of the "pre-Hispanic ruins" (although these ruins are not such, but were built in the 20th century as a tribute to pre-Columbian Mexico).

The fine line between reality and fantasy becomes intriguing, as it is difficult to know what happened and what did not. The plot a little bit crude, grotesque and gives a constant feeling of danger.

I definitely recommend it.