LuchaGore Productions. Gigi Saul Guerrero. Two names that have become synonymous with horror film-making since they burst onto the scene with vomit inducing short El Gigante and film festival favorite Bestia. When you throw in a digital platform like Warner Bro.’s Stage 13, you know the content you’re about to view is going to be stellar quality and world class. The resulting collaboration between these three entities, La Quinceañera, is nothing short of outstanding and exhilarating, although it’s definitely a new avenue for this noteworthy team. Violence has never been a topic that Gigi Saul Guerrero strayed from. Honestly, she’s kind of known for pushing the envelope and creating some of the most bloody content seen in film festivals around the world. However, Gigi has swapped out deranged professional wrestlers and Satanic cults for guns, drama and revenge in her new, seven part series – La Quinceañera. If you have STUDIO+, I highly recommend checking it out, here: https://studio.plus/.
Directed by Guerrero, written by Shane McKenzie, and produced by Raynor Shima, La Quinceañera follows a big family celebrating their little princess’ big 15th birthday. What should have been a day of music, dancing, food and laughter turns into a nonstop assault as an unrelated slight burns a bullet-hole through the family’s party. With no where left to turn and no options left on the table, the remaining family members scramble to take revenge on the madman that ruined their lives and almost stopped their bloodline. Watch as a princess becomes a dirty, gritty heroine in LuchaGore Productions and Stage 13’s La Quinceañera. Death Wish meets My Super Psycho Sweet 16, La Quinceañera has a REC vibe and the onslaught of action seen in Red State, and it’s definitely a quick series that I encourage you to binge watch. If this is horror, then I want an invitation. I’d show up to this party – fluffy dress and all.
Mia Xitlali, Gabriela Reynoso, Gustavo Gomez, Veronica Diaz, Patricia De Leon, Mauricio Mendoza, Mathias Retamal and Bertila Damas star in this series with cinematography from Luke Bramley and editing from Alex Marquez. A bloody passing of the torch, La Quinceañera is a non-stop thrill ride while still retaining an element of horror. As I just mentioned, it’s gory as Hell, but the terror comes in the form of real life violence. Imagine the psychological damage of watching your family axed out, of watching a savage sexually assault your daughter, of knowing an all-out war has started and, if you survive it, you’ll never be the same again. La Quinceañera is more dark and disturbing than most horror films because it hits you in the gut again and again, and it’s especially terrifying if you put yourself in the family’s position. Luckily, though, they are a family of absolutely bad-ass women; who can hold grudges worse than the villains! Props, especially, to the Grandmother for doing whatever it takes to keep her family safe. What a totally unexpected character development!
With the camera work on point, strong performances from the entire cast – even the minor roles, unrelenting action and sweat inducing suspense, there’s quite literally nothing for me to critique La Quinceañera on. Hell, I even momentarily sided with the secondary villain because I too would stop to eat birthday cake during a massacre. Really, all I can do is recommend this series to media viewers of all genres and all ethnicity. This one really crosses borders and raises the gamut. I’m so proud of everyone at LuchaGore Productions, and continue to me amazed at their level of talent. Watch La Quinceañera NOW! Final Score: 9 out of 10.
