Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Tigers Are Not Afraid’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

I think it is safe to say, that when we think of modern horror movies, or if we’re preparing to see one in theaters or at home, a specific set of criteria as to what to expect from said movie, immediately comes to mind. We are certain the story will feature some kind of supernatural being or force that people need to learn about in order to overcome. We also believe that the tale of terror will be employ some guts and gore to get us to cringe in our seats, and the soundtrack will definitely be filled with a few loud booms to take us off guard and most importantly, it will likely end in satisfying fashion because who doesn’t love a happy ending?
 
If anything, being able to speak to that kind of everyday criteria, the kind that applies so many films, speaks to the fact that horror has lost its way, just a little bit. Because while it is at an all-time high popularity wise right now, there’s a wonderful formula that studios can follow to make a healthy profit. Which is why, it is supremely important to take the time to celebrate horror films that quite frankly, defy every single norm out there. For these are the stories that are trying to make use of the true power of the genre, which is to terrify us and make us uncomfortable in ways we never thought possible, and that’s a true feat of filmmaking when someone can make that happen with seemingly little effort and recently, I finally had the opportunity to watch a horror film that definitely defies convention and finds a way to chill us to the bone in Tigers Are Not Afraid.
 
Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a young girl named Estrella, who is living her life in Mexico without a care in the world. But cartel violence at her school and in her neighborhood changes her life in unexpected fashion. For her mother has gone missing, and she is now on her own and it doesn’t take long for her to get in with a group of neighborhood kids who have also lost their families to the drug violence that has gripped their city. But she is sadly not welcome amongst this group, that is not until she proves her worth, and unfortunately for Estrella, her need to eat and enjoy a sense of safety and shelter pushes her to do things she’s never done before, such as attempting to take a life. And unfortunately, the fact that she and her new friends went after a cartel member, plunges them into a fight for their lives that no child should ever have to face. 

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​At first glance, that plot summary sounds like a gritty crime drama with a twist, but this film is truly terrifying for so many reasons. First and foremost, this movie features the new, and welcome, modern trend of making the horrors of the world a focal point of the story and being able to dive into the nightmares of the Cartel Wars that are happening south of the border, makes for quite the terrifying experience indeed. For there is something apocalyptic about seeing a thriving Mexican city devoid of life or joy in the slightest and that is compounded further by watching the Cartel treat human life as though it is irrelevant and that particular element leads to some devastating and powerful scenes that give you pause and leave you in a rough place after the film has come to an end.
 
But what truly allows for this story to earn its place as a wonderful addition to the horror genre, are the more fantastical elements present in this tale. For this movie features a wonderful focus on the power of the spirits in relation to Mexican and Hispanic culture, and seeing the spirits work through Estrella to find peace in the afterlife is a wonderful and brilliant twist to inject into the story. In part because it opens up a whole new world to viewers who are unfamiliar with such beliefs, but also because this twist creates a fascinating dichotomy within the story. For in this instance, the world becomes a realm full of pure evil, where suffering is the everyday norm, making the spirit world a place worth fighting for since it offers peace and serenity once evil is vanquished.
 
In many ways, that element injects a classic feel into a tale where that’s simply not necessary. For Tigers Are Not Afraid is a heartbreaking and devastating film, one that leaves you uncomfortable and terrified every single step of the way, and one that makes you wonder how this kind of life can remotely exist. And truly, everything we’ve discussed here along with some magnificent performances from the cast make this horror film a masterpiece in its own right, one that needs to be celebrated. Because it really is an original ride, and a pure one at that. For it truly evokes some powerful emotions as you watch it, something that only the finest horror films accomplish and, in the end, this is one that I highly recommend you see as soon as you can. Because this movie, is a breath of fresh air in a genre that loves its remakes and sequels.

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