Reelixa Logo

Reelixa

Your source of reviews and news about movies

Best acclaimed latin american films of the 21st century

Explore a selection of highly acclaimed films from Latin America that have left a significant mark on global cinema since 2000. These movies showcase diverse stories and filmmaking styles from the region.

Volver
A Fantastic Woman
Biutiful

Latin American cinema has experienced a remarkable surge in global recognition throughout the 21st century, captivating audiences and critics alike with its raw storytelling, compelling characters, and fearless exploration of complex themes.

Filmmakers from countries like Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and others have consistently delivered powerful narratives that delve into the human condition, often against backdrops of social inequality, political upheaval, and deep-seated cultural dynamics. Directors like Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guillermo del Toro (often associated with this movement, though their later works are international) paved the way, achieving international success and multiple awards, including Oscars, which shone a spotlight on the talent emerging from the region.

Beyond these well-known names, a wave of incredible directors has emerged, bringing diverse perspectives. Pablo Larraín from Chile has masterfully blended historical context with intimate character studies, while Lucrecia Martel from Argentina is celebrated for her unique narrative structures and sound design. Many of these films tackle challenging subjects, from the aftermath of dictatorships to the struggles of marginalized communities and intimate family dramas, often with a blend of realism and sometimes, touches of magical realism. This era represents a golden age for Latin American cinema, marked by critical success and a distinct voice on the world stage.

12. Wild Tales (2014)

This Argentine anthology film, produced by Pedro Almodóvar, presents six separate stories connected by the theme of vengeance and losing control when faced with injustice or betrayal. While not solely focused on romantic fidelity, several segments explore the explosive consequences of infidelity or the breakdown of trust in relationships and society. Each story is a darkly comedic and cathartic exploration of human behavior pushed to the limit. It's a thrilling, unpredictable ride that shows what happens when people snap and decide to take matters into their own hands, often with chaotic results.

Wild Tales

11. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Guillermo del Toro's dark fantasy masterpiece is set in Spain in 1944, five years after the Civil War. A young girl, Ofelia, discovers a hidden labyrinth and meets a faun who tells her she is a princess and must complete three tasks. Meanwhile, she navigates the brutal reality of her new stepfather, a Captain in Franco's army. The film contrasts a fantastical world with the harshness of war, exploring themes of innocence, disobedience, and the difficult choices surrounding loyalty – to family, to a cause, or to one's own sense of morality – in a time of conflict. It's a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant fairy tale for adults.

Pan's Labyrinth

10. La Llorona (2019)

Jayro Bustamante's chilling horror film blends the famous Latin American folk tale with the very real horrors of the Guatemalan genocide. An aging former dictator is haunted by the ghosts of his past as he stands trial for his crimes. The film explores themes of guilt, justice, and the loyalty of those who served him versus the loyalty owed to the victims. It's a unique take on the horror genre, using supernatural elements to delve into historical trauma and the haunting consequences of upholding a brutal regime. The film asks difficult questions about complicity and the breakdown of trust within a nation.

9. Zama (2017)

Lucrecia Martel's visually stunning and existentially resonant film is set in the late 18th century and follows Don Diego de Zama, a Spanish officer stationed in a remote South American outpost. He is desperately waiting for a transfer to a more prestigious location, but it never comes. The film captures his slow descent into despair and paranoia. While not explicitly about relationship fidelity, it's a profound exploration of the breakdown of loyalty – to duty, to the crown, and ultimately, to oneself – as Zama's identity erodes under the weight of waiting and colonial decay. It's a hypnotic and unsettling cinematic experience.

Zama

8. The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)

Based on the controversial 19th-century novel, this Mexican drama stars Gael García Bernal as a young priest, Padre Amaro, who is sent to a small town parish. There, he encounters corruption within the church hierarchy and finds himself drawn into a forbidden relationship with a local woman. The film explores the conflict between religious vows, personal desires, and institutional loyalty. It sparked considerable controversy upon its release for its unflinching portrayal of the church. The story delves into the moral compromises made when fidelity to faith, institution, and self come into conflict.

The Crime of Padre Amaro

7. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Alfonso Cuarón's acclaimed coming-of-age road trip film follows two teenage best friends, Tenoch and Julio, who embark on a journey with an older, enigmatic woman named Luisa. As they travel through Mexico, their friendship is tested by desire, jealousy, and shifting loyalties. Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna star as the inseparable friends, delivering performances filled with youthful energy and vulnerability. The film is notable for its frank depiction of sexuality and its subtle, yet powerful, commentary on the social and political landscape of Mexico. It's a story about the complex transition from adolescence to adulthood, where loyalties are forged and broken.

Y Tu Mamá También

6. Gloria (2013)

Sebastián Lelio's charming character study centers on Gloria, a free-spirited woman in her late 50s living in Santiago. She spends her nights at discotheques for singles, seeking connection and romance. The film beautifully captures the complexities of finding love and navigating relationships later in life, where past loyalties and present desires collide. Paulina García gives a captivating, naturalistic performance as Gloria, embodying resilience and a refusal to become invisible. It's a warm, honest, and ultimately uplifting look at embracing life and love on your own terms, even when faced with the uncertainties of fidelity.

Gloria

5. Biutiful (2010)

Alejandro González Iñárritu's first film made entirely in Spanish since Amores Perros is a poignant and often harrowing portrait of Uxbal, a single father in Barcelona grappling with terminal illness while trying to provide for his children through morally ambiguous means. Javier Bardem received an Oscar nomination for his deeply affecting portrayal of a man trying to find peace and secure his family's future under impossible circumstances. The film explores themes of parenthood, mortality, and the fierce loyalty a parent holds for their children, even when facing their own end. It's a heavy, but ultimately moving, look at the struggle for dignity.

Biutiful

4. A Fantastic Woman (2017)

Directed by Sebastián Lelio, this powerful Chilean drama follows Marina, a transgender woman whose life is thrown into turmoil after the sudden death of her older lover. As she grieves, she faces cruel discrimination and suspicion from his family, who try to exclude her from his funeral and affairs. The film becomes a profound assertion of Marina's right to mourn and exist, showcasing her incredible strength and unwavering loyalty to the man she loved, despite being denied recognition by society and his family. Daniela Vega's performance in the lead role is utterly captivating and earned the film an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

A Fantastic Woman

3. Volver (2006)

Pedro Almodóvar's celebration of female resilience and the complex ties that bind families. This film is a reunion of sorts, bringing together Almodóvar muse Penélope Cruz in a powerhouse, Oscar-nominated performance, alongside Carmen Maura, who hadn't worked with him in years. Set in the director's native La Mancha, it blends comedy, drama, and touches of magical realism as women navigate secrets, death, and forgiveness. The loyalty between mothers, daughters, and sisters forms the unbreakable core of the story, showing how these bonds endure even the most extraordinary circumstances. Almodóvar crafts a world where the strength of women conquers all.

Volver

2. Amores Perros (2000)

This explosive debut from Alejandro González Iñárritu interweaves three intense stories connected by fate and a car crash. It's a raw, unflinching look at love, loss, and the fierce, often complicated, bonds of loyalty – especially those between humans and their dogs, who are central figures in each narrative. The film launched the careers of Iñárritu, screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (though their collaboration famously ended), and Gael García Bernal. Its non-linear structure and gritty realism set a new standard for Mexican cinema and made a huge splash internationally, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. It's a powerful exploration of how loyalty can both save and destroy us.

Amores Perros

1. Roma (2018)

Alfonso Cuarón's deeply personal masterpiece, filmed in stunning black and white, is a heartfelt tribute to the women who raised him, particularly his childhood nanny, Cleo. It captures the quiet yet profound loyalty and resilience of domestic workers in 1970s Mexico City. Cuarón himself served as cinematographer, creating breathtaking, immersive long takes that draw you into Cleo's world. It feels less like watching a film and more like stepping into a lived experience, highlighting the central character's unwavering dedication amidst personal and societal upheaval. This film earned Cuarón Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography, a rare feat.

Roma

More related articles about recommended movies and TV shows