Jayro Bustamante’s Rita is a poignant and visually stunning exploration of resilience, cruelty, and the power of fantasy in the face of unspeakable horrors. Inspired by the tragic 2017 fire at the Hogar Virgen de la Asunción orphanage in Guatemala, which claimed the lives of 41 girls, Bustamante weaves a dark, magical realist tale that pays tribute to the victims while exposing the injustices of a broken system. By combining fantastical elements with grounded human emotion, Rita is a deeply moving and visually arresting cinematic experience that balances beauty and brutality.
Bustamante’s commitment to authenticity is evident in his decision to cast non-actors from across Guatemala, resulting in performances that feel raw and genuine. Giuliana Santa Cruz shines in the titular role, delivering a debut performance that captures Rita’s innocence, courage, and transformation. The film’s visual and technical brilliance, from Inti Briones’s claustrophobic cinematography to Pascual Reyes’s haunting score, creates a sensory experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Though Rita occasionally struggles with pacing and underdeveloped narrative elements, its ability to blend intimate storytelling with grand, fantastical imagery cements it as a bold and necessary work of art. Below, we break down the key elements that make Rita a compelling film.
At its core, Rita is a story of survival and defiance. Rita, a 13-year-old girl fleeing an abusive home, is placed in a state-run institution that she initially hopes will offer safety. Instead, she discovers a prison-like environment where the girls are subjected to systemic abuse and neglect. Using fantasy as a coping mechanism, Rita and her peers reimagine themselves as magical creatures—angels, fairies, and mystical beings—crafting a dreamlike reality to escape the grimness of their circumstances. The juxtaposition of their inner world with the harsh reality of their lives creates a poignant commentary on the resilience of the human spirit.
Bustamante skillfully employs magical realism to explore the psychological toll of institutional abuse. The girls’ transformation into fantastical beings provides a layer of levity and beauty while underscoring the tragedy of their situation. The film’s exploration of faith, morality, and systemic corruption mirrors Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, offering a powerful critique of societal failures while honoring the resilience of the young women it depicts.
Giuliana Santa Cruz delivers an extraordinary debut performance, carrying the weight of the film with grace and emotional depth. As Rita, she embodies both the vulnerability of a girl thrust into unimaginable circumstances and the strength of a survivor determined to reclaim her agency. Supporting performances from Ángela Quevedo, Alejandra Vásquez, and Isabel Aldana bring additional texture to the narrative, creating a believable ensemble of girls bound by their shared struggles.
The adults in the film, particularly Margarita Kenéfic as the cold and menacing Ernestina, add a layer of palpable danger. Their performances underscore the systemic cruelty the girls endure, making every moment feel charged with tension and fear.
Rita excels in its ability to humanize a horrific real-life tragedy through the lens of fantasy. The film’s handcrafted aesthetic and heartfelt performances make its message resonate deeply. However, its pacing falters in the early moments, as viewers are thrust into an unfamiliar world without enough context. While the lack of hand-holding allows the narrative to unfold organically, it can make the opening act feel confusing. Some characters, particularly Rita’s companion Sulmy, feel underdeveloped despite their importance to the story. Dialogue, when present, occasionally lacks the nuance needed to fully convey the complexity of the characters’ experiences.
Rita is a bold, emotionally charged film that sheds light on a tragic chapter in Guatemalan history while celebrating the strength and resilience of young women. Jayro Bustamante’s visionary direction, combined with Giuliana Santa Cruz’s standout performance and the film’s arresting visuals, creates a cinematic experience that is as haunting as it is beautiful. Despite minor flaws, Rita is an essential watch that demands attention for both its artistry and its powerful message.
4/5 Stars
