Sarita (Karen Martínez) and Bea (Pamela Martínez) are sisters living in Guatemala City -Simply ‘Guate’ to most Guatemalans-. Sarita agrees to sneak out with Bea to go to a party one night, something a little out of character for the normally responsible young woman. At the club where the party is being held, Sarita catches Bea arguing with her obviously gang-affiliated boyfriend. After a short confrontation in the women’s bathroom, Sarita decides to head home.
The next morning, she begins to worry when Bea hasn’t returned home, nor did any of her friends catch sight of her after the party. After the police are less-than-helpful during Sarita’s missing person report, she decides to track down Bea’s boyfriend, certain the young man has something to do with her sister’s disappearance. The truth, however, is stranger than it seems: Sarita embroils herself in the gang’s crimes to get closer to the men she believes killed or kidnapped Bea.
Cadejo Blanco has two major movements. The first is a somewhat typical teenage or young-adult rebellion plot that sets the stage for the second half of the movie. Those who make it through the somewhat predictable and drawn-out first half will be rewarded with a twisting gangland plot filled with red herrings and brutal murders committed for a righteous cause.
Much like Taken, Sarita must commit many brutal crimes to climb the gang’s ladder in the hopes of finding information about her missing sister and getting close to those who are to blame so she may strike. Those who love the gritty realism and organized crime aspects of shows like Breaking Bad and Gomorrah will enjoy Cadejo Blanco. Even though the first half of the film feels far too long, it is beautifully shot and well-acted. This heart-pounding thriller will leave viewers satisfied with its surprisingly cathartic conclusion. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Cadejo Blanco belongs in Spanish language, Thriller, and Foreign film collections.
What kind of film series could use this film?
Cadejo Blanco would be a perfect fit in a crime thriller film series but would also work well in a series of films with female protagonists.