Borrego (2022) (Film Review)

Borrego (2022) is a crime thriller directed by Jesse Harris. I liked this movie. Okay, it’s another drug, cartel, hostage-taking story… but it’s pretty exciting.

Lucy Hale, already great in Action or Truth (2018), Fantasy Island (2019) and Scream 4, is the lead actress. Quite a physical role for her here. I’m not familiar with her Pretty Little Liars series, which nonetheless won her five Teen Choice Awards between 2010 and 2014 thanks to her role. This American actress and singer-songwriter is very expressive.

It’s not as good as No Country For Old Men (2007), but it’s got a bit of the same atmosphere. It’s also a little reminiscent of Bone Tomahawk (2015), but that’s really because it has that desert feel under a blazing sun. No cowboys or Indians here.

The actors are very good. The dialogue is interesting. The direction is good. We go through a lot of subjects. The executioner and victim come to sympathize with each other, through Stockholm syndrome. But also the guilt of losing someone close to you, thinking it’s your fault. As is the unconditional love between father and daughter.

The dust jacket is a bit of a misnomer, as Lucy (alis Elly) never carries a gun in this film. And the shovel? We don’t see it either. The ending’s good, too. Quite touching.

My Rating