The U.S. border with Mexico is in the news a lot these days. Those who like to go to Puerto Peñasco are wise to keep an eye on the subject. This is especially because the Lukeville Port of Entry shut down in late 2023 due to the rise of illegal border crossings. So, if you want to watch a movie about crossing the border, Desierto is available on Netflix until March 30, 2024. I spend plenty of time driving through the desert to and from Rocky Point Mexico. So, I thought, “Why not watch Desierto?”
The 2015 film is a thriller produced by Academy Award winner, Alfonso Cuarón. It is directed and co-written by his son, Jonás Cuarón. Jonás is also director of “Chupa,” the trending Netflix fantasy adventure movie.
Desierto – On Mexican Side
The word “Desierto” is the masculine Spanish translation for “desert” in English. And the setting for the entire film takes place in the brutal heat of the desert. Rocky Pointers will take note of a part in the film which mentions Sonoyta, Sonora. It describes the journey of some trying to illegally pass through the border town to reach Arizona. So, we can assume the border crossing for the movie is the Sonoran Desert.
Only the beginning of the movie is set in Mexico. However, it is clear the filmmakers choose to show the Mexican side of the story through a supportive and sympathetic lens.
The Film’s Plot
Most of what occurs in the movie happens after a truck breaks down in a desert area called “The Badlands.” It is bad news indeed for the group of migrant workers being illegally transported to the United States. Their escorts are forced to lead them on foot, which is the last thing any of them want.
There is a key scene where the group climbs through a fence at the border takes the Mexican side. It describes the United States in an unstable and less than flattering way. But that is nothing compared to the heartless American at the heart of the story.
The Characters
Gael García Bernal plays the main character in Desierto. Moises is positioned as the Mexican hero of the film. First, he is a mechanic who diagnoses the broken-down truck cannot be fixed. Then he is the ultimate protector. He is the one who helps the slowest member to try to keep up with the group. He also looks after a young woman in the group. Basically, Moises is a dad solely driven to return to his family who he was separated from in Oakland, California. It is not his first time crossing the border into the U.S. illegally.
The other lasting Mexican character is Adela. (She is played by Alondra Hidalgo from Spider-man movies). Adela is a victim forced by her parents to leave for the United States because her hometown is too dangerous. Adela was also victimized by the man her parents hired for her safe passage. Even still, the Mexican heroine shows compassion for him after he was murdered.
The anti-hero is clearly the American. (Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan from “The Walking Dead.”) For most folks, there is not a whole lot to like about Sam as a person. There is no setup in the script for his hatred and violence toward illegal immigrants. Sam is portrayed as a rifle ready, confederate flag waving vigilante. He hunts rabbits as well as human trespassers in the desert with his trusty but trained to be vicious dog, “Tracker.” If you too are a dog lover, the dog’s role in the film can have an impact on you.
Desierto – Movie Ending
Relax.
There is no need here for a spoiler alert. I will not tell you how the Desierto movie ends. But I will let you know there are a few surprises.
Like many things about the border, bias also has two sides. It is entirely possible you may see this in the film. Desierto does not present Americans in any kind of a good light. Personally, I’m glad it is only a movie, because in the real-world people of Puerto Peñasco are incredibly welcoming to foreigners.
