This is not some dumb banger-sploitation flick. These characters come to life, the society they create becomes familiar, the language, the clothes, the mentality. To a certain degree, it has some hallmarks of a documentary. But, it is a story with an adequately complicated plot, to satisfy your need for theater. Tarot gimmick worked for me, each Tarot card introducing a new character that moved the plot along. It's got cheesy aspects, probably necessarily, but it's also got what it takes to be a worthwhile watch. There are actors you will recognize, and many more that you will not, and probably will never see again, but they do fine journeyman work in this film. LA, South Side is our destination. Temperature is 81*, clear skies.

Exactly what a film should be—tightly plotted, well-scripted, well-acted, nicely photographed, and emotionally satisfying. About the only weak spot is the score, but even that is certainly adequate. My only hesitation to recommend it is the violence, which, given the realistic nature of the drama, feels a bit 'too real' in spots. But this was a thoroughly rewarding experience, and I think I'll probably watch it again, something I do very rarely. The unexpected scene at the cartel boss's pool is objectively over the top, but works magnificently, favorably comparable to other writerly tours-de-force, such as the Ferris wheel encounter between Holly Martins and Harry Lime in 'The Third Man.' Highly enjoyable and highly recommended.

I usually have a hard time watching movies and TV shows to the end because I usually get bored and skip to something else, but this one engaged my attention from the beginning until the end. I was expecting some typical trite pabulum, but this movie was very well written, directed, the characters were well developed and the actors were very well cast. I especially like Danny Trejo, who always adds deep character to any movie in which he is cast and the woman who played the lead role is beautiful.

Over all I would have given a 4.5 star rating, but that option was not available

The title of this one sends feelings of the mystic but this is not one of those fantasy movies. I like the violence. I like the shooting. There is not alot of shooting but it is very effective. This is about street violence and crime; I like this type of story. The 5.1 surroundsound contributes to the ambience of the story. The recommendations row is not to be taken lightly. Thanks again, Amazon Prime Video

An excellent movie with many moving parts that come together. We were contacted by the producer Nathan Gabaeff to use our Sugar skull crystal cameo as a movie prop. Never in a million years did we think it would be an integral part of the movie plot. We are BEYOND over joyed by this! <3

It's good to see films with an all Latina/Latino cast. Not just black and white all the time as if that's the only two races in America. With that said I think people who say strong female lead personifying male characteristics is still very male slanted especially when men direct supposedly 'women's roles' and just make them walking vaginas with a gun. Overall I like the reality of the film (I guess for stereotyping gang bangers, everyone is in a situation of fright or flight or fight, basic human brain stuff) and it was a good pace. Everyone played realistic roles (acting for the most part was like legit churros).

My pet peeve why it's 4 stars is just the writer's/plot of the main character's absurdity (SPOILER ALERT, MATURE THEMES) - Don't read more if you plan to watch the film, is why would after the first incident would Loca go and leave the cousin in the house, go get high with her friend and you know other self-centered stuff.... Seriously, that seemed dumb supposedly for such a 'street' smart character who loves and wanted to protect her cousin. What I would liked to have seen (my plot alternative) if I was the writer is Loca appear to leave her cousin's place only to come back around and shoot and torture that guy (Quentin Tarantino style). But then it woulda been The End and would have ended the movie right there, haha. The gratuitous sex or sexualizing the female character thrown in is so typically male-directed too.

I guess the other ending made more sense (to the script then). The plot seemed pretty convoluted about who was revenging who I kinda got confused. I just know someone did something to someone creating a series of domino events, new alliances who were trying to form a drug business together and then at the end of the day everyone is dealing drugs to their own people and perpetuating addictions and self-fulfilling prophecy and legacy of more drugs and violence. Very human survival Reptilian brain stuff.

This is a cautionary story in the end of drugs, gang violence, (some sex) and most of all I'm channeling Nancy Reagan from the 80's: Just Say no to drugs and violence kids. Guns are very very bad, but people are much much worse.

Well cast and portrayed with an authentic feel of street life about retaliation and murder as an everyday, handed down expectation/vocation.

I really liked everything about this film. It's story-telling at its finest. I will definitely watch it again at some point. Painful seeing SB like that. My God! He looks like he's in his 80s.