El grito (2000) User Reviews

bloody Mexican serial killer

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 8 May 2015]

It's 2000 Mexico City. Someone is killing young women. Inexperienced reporter and divorced mother Estela is sent to cover the murder because she's the only one in the office late at night. The victim is wearing rich clothes and her arm is chopped off. Estela is struggling after refusing to get money from her cheating husband. The murders continue with detective Ibarra investigating. The women turn out to be mistresses but Ibarra refuses to admit that a serial killer is on the loose at first. One of the women turns out to be Estela's powerful father-in-law's mistress.

The best comparison I can come up with is a bloodier American TV movie. It is reasonably shoot and the acting is generally good. Yareli Arizmendi is a compelling actress. The style is a bit weak and the story moves a bit too slowly. Some of the writing is awkward like an editor who refuses to do a sensational story. His reasons are convoluted and non-sense. Any editor worth his salt would splash MISTRESS SERIAL KILLER on the front page. The best friend knows that the killer is scheduled to kill again on a certain date. Yet she is willing to go on a date. There are some problems. The best part of the movie is the culture of rich men and their mistresses. The crime ridden city is a good backdrop. The movie has some promise but it needs a better director.

Good thriller film!

[jp_91 · 10/10 · 28 January 2023]

"El grito" is a good Mexican thriller movie, with an interesting script that tells the story of a young woman on the trail of a serial killer. The script focuses on themes such as machismo and feminism, in addition to the Catholic religion and Aztec mythology that goes to syncretism. The filming locations and cinematography come together beautifully to provide a remarkable atmosphere that follows the neo-noir and giallo subgenres, with several moments reminiscent of Argento's works. The soundtrack is good and works perfectly in the peak scene. The cast is outstanding, led by Yareli Arizmendi and Olivia Hussey, in addition to being accompanied by Steven Bauer, Angélica Aragón, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Mario Iván Martínez, Juan Manuel Bernal, and the special participation of renowned actresses such as Blanca Sánchez and Sylvia Pasquel, all of them performing high-level performances. An excellently made film.

Fluid foreign language thriller

[Rain85 · 2 October 2005]

I have heard that this movie was made twice; once in Spanish language, then again in English and re-titled 'Bloody Proof'. As a whole, the movie was slick and well made. It would have been far better if some of the characters were elaborated more and given more screen time. The sub titles on the Spanish version were appallingly bad and sloppily constructed. The setting of Mexico City was a great choice of location and there are many scenes filmed on location. Well done to Steven Bauer and Olivia Hussey for conveying themselves as Mexican, the rest of the acting was fine also. Overall, it is probably best to view the English language version for more enjoyment but they are both well filmed and acted. 5/10 because it cannot stand up against similar serial-killer thrillers like 'The Bone Collecter', 'Seven' and others in the same vein, it does hold most of the hallmarks of a thriller genre, so give it a shot.