Jayro Bustamante’s Rita is a visually ambitious yet emotionally shallow re-imagination of the horrifying 2017 Guatemala orphanage fire. While its foundation—a melding of real-world tragedy with a dark fantasy lens—seems ripe for compelling storytelling, Rita stumbles in its execution, failing to deliver on its potential. The film presents a 13-year-old girl’s harrowing escape from an abusive father, only to find herself in a dystopian state-run institution. Here, fantastical beings and super-powered girls take center stage, attempting to rebel against the malevolent forces controlling their world.

The film’s premise is undeniably intriguing, and Bustamante’s attempt to incorporate fantasy elements, like Rita joining groups called Angels, Wolves, and Rainbows, is conceptually interesting. However, the narrative falters under the weight of sluggish pacing and dialogue-heavy sequences that neither propel the plot nor deepen the characters. Giuliana Santa Cruz gives a commendable performance as Rita, but even her earnest portrayal cannot breathe life into a script that feels meandering and disjointed. While one might hope for the emotional resonance and symbolic depth of a film like Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, Rita instead comes across as lacklustre and uninspired.

The film’s biggest misstep lies in its failure to honour the gravity of its source material. The 2017 tragedy is a stark and deeply troubling piece of recent history, yet Rita struggles to balance its fantastical re-imagining with the weight of the real events. The result is a narrative that feels hollow and disconnected from the emotional core it seeks to explore.

The Prognosis:

Despite its commendable ambition and some striking visual moments, Rita ultimately lacks the substance and cohesion to leave a lasting impact. It’s a disappointing venture that falls far short of its promising premise.

• Saul Muerte

Rita is streaming on Shudder from Fri 22nd November