Watch Mexico Barbaro

Mexico Barbaro is a 2014 Mexican horror anthology film, directed by eight different directors, each contributing their own short film to the collection. The film presents a haunting and nightmarish portrayal of various myths, legends, and realities of contemporary Mexican society. The film opens with the short film 'Tzompantli,' directed by Laurette Flores. The film introduces a group of young male drug runners who, while hiding out in the jungle, encounter a twisted and malevolent entity from ancient Mexican mythology, known as Tzompantli. This creature, also known as the skull rack, was believed to be a structure of human skulls erected by the ancient Aztecs as a tribute to their gods. The story takes a psychological turn as the creature begins to manipulate and prey on the insecurities and fears of the drug runners, leading them to madness and death.

The second short film, directed by Jorge Michel Grau, is titled 'Jaral de Berrios.' It depicts a rural Mexican community's gruesome tradition of publicly displaying the decapitated heads of their enemies as a warning to outsiders. The story focuses on a young woman who faces the difficult decision of either accepting or challenging this tradition when her grandfather's killer is brought to the village.

The third short, directed by Ulises Guzman, is called 'Drena.' In this film, a female detective is investigating a series of murders committed by a group of young men who belong to a satanic cult. The story delves into issues of religion, feminism, and violence, as well as the danger of powerful people utilizing religious dogma to manipulate and justify their heinous actions.

In the fourth short film, 'La Cosa Mas Preciada' (The Most Precious Thing), director Isaac Ezban tells a story of a wealthy businessman who must retrieve his kidnapped daughter, but pays the ultimate price for his corrupt past. This film showcases themes of innocence, greed, and sacrifice.

The fifth short film, 'Lo Que Importa Es Lo De Adentro' (What Matters is on the Inside), directed by Alejandro Martinez Beltran, is about a young girl who is ridiculed for her physical appearance by her classmates. This rejection leads her to a mysterious forest, where a lovecraftian creature awaits her. The story questions common beauty standards and the dark places that our insecurities can lead us to.

The sixth short film, directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero, is titled 'Munecas' (Dolls). This story deals with the oppression of women and the revenge of the oppressed. The film follows a group of young women who are forced to work as sex dolls by a perverted madman. They organize and plan their escape while showcasing the horrors that humanity is capable of.

In the seventh and the most disturbing short film, 'La Leyenda de Juan Soldado' (The Legend of Juan Soldado), directed by Jorge Molina, a soldier is falsely accused of a crime and executed. His spirit haunts the town and seeks revenge against those who wronged him. The story is based on a true event that happened in Mexico, known as the "Juan Soldado legend."

The final short film of the anthology, 'Extranormal,' directed by Lex Ortega, deals with the world of amateur paranormal investigations. It introduces a group of friends who try to record the existence of supernatural entities in a haunted place in Mexico City. This film delves into the controversy around faith, skepticism, and the darkness of the spiritual world.

Overall, Mexico Barbaro offers a chilling and thought-provoking experience, highlighting the cultural depth and darkness of Mexico. The film lifts the veil and shows that the brutality and horror in society is not just found in traditional horror films but is also hidden within our lived reality.

Mexico Barbaro is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.