Los Frikis Movie Review
I've always had a soft spot for movies about punks. There's just not enough of them out there, and that's a shame because punks and the subculture they've built are endlessly fascinating. So when I discovered Los Frikis a few weeks ago, I was beyond excited. Directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, the duo behind The Peanut Butter Falcon, this movie promised to dive into one of the most jaw-dropping true stories in punk history, and it delivered.
Los Frikis offers a fictionalized account of a little-known but astounding chapter in Cuban history. In the 1990s, a group of Cuban punk rockers, fed up with the crushing repression of daily life during Cuba's Special Period, made a shocking choice. They deliberately injected themselves with HIV to gain entry into government-run sanatoriums. Why? Because life in those sanatoriums, with their basic freedoms and a sense of community, was preferable to the harsh realities of regular life in Cuba at the time.
It's a wild story—almost unbelievable in its audacity and tragedy. But it's also profoundly human, and the film captures that beautifully. The characters—fierce, flawed, and defiantly alive—are brought to life with such authenticity that you can't help but be drawn into their world. Even if you're not a punk rocker, the story is so touching and compelling that it transcends its subcultural roots.
One of the standout elements of Los Frikis is its cast. Most of the actors are Cuban, and their performances lend an incredible sense of authenticity to the film. The actors' deep connection to the culture and history of Cuba shines through, grounding the story in a way that feels both personal and powerful. This commitment to cultural authenticity makes the movie even more impactful.
Fun fact, Eros de la Puente, who played on of the main characters, Gustavo, had actually never been to a movie theater before seeing a screening of Los Frikis. That's right, the first movie he saw in a movie theater was the movie he was staring in!
What surprised me most about Los Frikis was its balance of tones. Despite the inherently tragic nature of the story, the film finds room for humor and moments of breathtaking beauty. There's an energy and vibrancy to the cinematography that mirrors the defiant spirit of its characters.
As someone who's fascinated by tales of punk rebellion and resistance, Los Frikis hit me hard. There's something deeply inspiring about the way punk subcultures manage to thrive even under the most repressive conditions. Cuba in the 1990s was an incredibly authoritarian place, yet punk found a way to take root and flourish. Watching this film, I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite books, Burning Down the Haus by Tim Mohr, which chronicles the punk movement in East Germany and other Soviet bloc countries. Both stories shine a light on the bravery and creativity of youth rebelling against authoritarianism, risking everything for personal freedom and self-expression.
Los Frikis is a film for anyone who values human resilience, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. It's a reminder of the power of subcultures to challenge the status quo, even in the darkest of times. If you're looking for a movie that's equal parts heartbreaking, inspiring, and thought-provoking, do yourself a favor and check this one out. You won't regret it.
