Jayro Bustamante remarkably combines magical realism and horror in a fantastic version of a true and tragic story

Writer and director Jayro Bustamante is an award-winning Guatemalan filmmaker who specializes in creating uniquely interesting films, sometimes blending elements of reality and fantasy. He is best known for his 2015 debut feature, Ixcanulwhich won Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. Now, he has helped inaugurate the first co-production between Guatemala and the United States with Ritaa film that embraces magical realism by mixing fantastic elements with real events. The film’s story and characters also manage to impress thanks to an engaging presentation which does not retain its disturbing elements.

Rita follows the titular 13-year-old protagonist (Giuliana Santa Cruz) when she is sent to a safe house in Guatemala after fleeing her abusive father. While there, she discovers that all the other girls present are divided into groups based on mythical beings, being placed into a group of “Angels” who wear feathered wings at all times. Due to the negligent conditions of the safe house and the ulterior motives of those who run it, the girls begin planning an escape, with Rita becoming a central figure in trying to expose the abuse.

Rita combines realism and fantasy with emotionally resonant results

The film doesn’t shy away from its disturbing premise

Although Shudder’s horror streaming service offers plenty of terrifying films, RitaThe horror originates from the desperate situation in which your main character and her new friends find themselves. The film doesn’t shy away from the lax conditions of the safe house, with the girls receiving unappetizing food and cruel punishments whenever they act up. There are also the sinister intentions of some guards, explored in uncomfortable ways that emphasize the importance of the characters’ escape plans. This is compounded by convincing performances from Santa Cruz and his co-stars.namely Sulmi by Ángela Quevedo, Baby by Alejandra Vásquez and Terca by Isabel Aldana.

However, the film’s magical realism is its standout attribute, as Rita begins to see a group of children whose unique appearances introduce supernatural elements into the story. These children and other incidents reinforce the film’s themes, becoming important influences as the girls plan their escape. While some of the fantastical ideas felt a little out of place, sometimes adding unintentional silliness to the serious tone, it was never enough to take away from the experience. For the most part, this mix of realism and fantasy elevates the story, making it feel like a dark fairytale.

The supernatural events seem almost similar to those of Guillermo del Toro Pan’s Labyrinth, which employed magical elements when commenting on the atrocities of fascism in the real world. While the film doesn’t have the same vivid sequences, similar ideas permeate its presentation, with the fantasy elements offering some light to the characters’ desperate situation. This is further emphasized by the way the film approaches its more realistic terrors, highlighting how humanity can be more monstrous than any unknown entity.

The story’s disturbing elements are important to its themes

Rita is comparable to some of the best horror films of 2024, but approaches its horror with more realism despite the supernatural elements throughout the story. The abuse and neglect the girls face at the hands of those who run the safe house are inspired by true eventsclarifying how the fantasy aspects are a disguise for what they felt and what they experienced. This is also emphasized in Rita’s story, with the film revealing the extent of her father’s abuse in a heartbreaking and anger-inducing scene.

The film does a phenomenal job of offering a compelling story, not only through the events that unfold, but also in its presentation. The cinematography highlights the girls’ isolationwith accurate photos symbolizing how trapped they feel. But broader shots and settings portray the freedom they fight for, especially when combined with symbolic and supernatural events. Combined with all of the film’s other impressive elements, Rita becomes yet another memorable entry in Bustamante’s film career.

With magical realism that emphasizes the struggles of neglected children, Rita highlights an important issue and real-world event tactfully. Despite the many disturbing events the girls are forced to endure, the film’s powerful performances and gripping story emphasize how its tragic story can resonate universally. It’s among some of the best films Bustamante has ever created, and it stays with you long after the final scene.

Rita It’s now streaming on Shudder.