Risk and Romance: a High-Stakes Game

Read Time:3 Minute, 25 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Amor Bandido
(adult content) –

Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Year Released: 2021, 2023 Cinephobia Releasing DVD
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Daniel Andres Werner
Writer(s): Diego Avalos, Daniel Andres Werner
Cast: Romina Ricci, Renato Quattordio
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: Erotic Thriller Coming Out July 18, 2023, on DVD and VOD/Streaming

RAVING REVIEW: Director Daniel Andres Werner's film AMOR BANDIDO will make you uncomfortable, but it’s meant to. We are tossed headfirst into an intricate lattice of uncontrolled fervor and pulse-racing suspense. All this happens as we watch the main protagonists, Joan (embodied by Renato Quattordio) and his older* art teacher Luciana (brought to life by Romina Ricci), paint a dangerous canvas of secret romance that flips seamlessly into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

Joan, entranced in his whirlpool of passionate feelings for Luciana, jettisons familiar territory to explore a rugged rural retreat to chase his youthful desires. However, this seemingly idyllic escape descends into a shadowy labyrinth when a mysterious intruder enters their tranquil escape. While the narrative threads become more twisted and tangled, the intensity is ratcheted up, even as the storyline occasionally grapples with its intricate details.

AMOR BANDIDO hits the ground running as an uncomfortable and risque romance before swerving into the lane of gripping thrillers. The couple's initial rush from their adventure is explored as Joan peels back the layers of their romantic escapade, leaving more than meets the eye for viewers to discover.

The stakes are sky-high for Joan due to his concealed liaison with Luciana. Their secret could trigger a cataclysmic upheaval in his life if exposed. Luciana could face dire consequences as well if anyone finds the truth.

The story of AMOR BANDIDO delves into themes like love, the pursuit of power, the hunger for wealth, and the boundary-pushing lengths some might go to achieve them. Blinded by his crush's glance, Joan pursues Luciana, an enigma cloaked in mystery. Her ambiguous intentions fuel the suspense, ratcheting up a notch with the sudden appearance of a “stranger.” This unexpected twist transforms the plot into a white-knuckled thriller, with Joan unwittingly ensnared in their sinister plot and added unexpected moments that make a film that was already uncomfortable even more so before leveling out.

AMOR BANDIDO is a pulsating spectacle of intense face-offs. Werner's keen eye for minutiae and exceptional directorial style elevate the film's dramatic ambiance. Ricci and Quattordio deliver outstanding performances that reverberate with the audience, while the cinematography leaves a lasting imprint throughout the film. Werner navigates the narrative toward an emotion-charged finale. The latter half of AMOR BANDIDO is peppered with unpredictable plot twists that give the film a unique edge, a trait rarely seen.

AMOR BANDIDO unravels an entangled love story spiraling into chaos, replete with startling revelations and a struggle that keeps viewers on edge. The film's minimalist cello-based soundtrack complements Luciana's initial allure towards Joan, infusing a calming aura into the escalating drama. Though AMOR BANDIDO veers more toward crime drama than an out-and-out thriller, its deep dive into psychological manipulation, deceit, and social dynamics, bolstered by stellar performances, categorizes it as a must-watch film.

In closing, AMOR BANDIDO charts the course of a disturbing romance that evolves into a mesmerizing thriller. Werner's debut directorial feature film, brought to us by Cinephobia Releasing, is a cinematic treat to look forward to (if you dare.)

*I shouldn’t have to say this, but obviously, all actors in this film are of age to be performing these roles.

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[photo courtesy of CINEPHOBIA RELEASING]