Satanic Hispanics: A Unique Horror Anthology with Cultural Influences

Satanic Hispanics introduces an intriguing concept to the horror genre, featuring a collaborative effort from five prominent Latin voices. By incorporating their cultural backgrounds and histories, these filmmakers have crafted a collection of new and terrifying stories. While Satanic Hispanics is mostly successful, it falls short due to weak humor and a lackluster framing device, preventing it from becoming a must-watch.

The Traveler: A Mysterious Introduction

Directed by Mike Mendez, the overarching story of Satanic Hispanics revolves around The Traveler, portrayed by Efren Ramirez. The Traveler serves as the enigma who transports viewers into the world of the anthology, albeit with little context. Although these segments provide intriguing glimpses into the characters and locations of the movie, their pacing feels sluggish compared to the rest of the film’s breakneck speed. Additionally, the thread connecting these disparate stories lacks the strength to generate genuine interest in its stakes. Ultimately, Satanic Hispanics becomes a mixed bag of individual ideas that fail to coalesce. By the end, The Traveler’s tale leaves viewers with more questions than answers, leaving them somewhat bored.

Gigi Saul Guerrero’s “Nahuales”: A Standout Story

The highlight of Satanic Hispanics comes in the form of Gigi Saul Guerrero’s contribution, “Nahuales.” This story draws inspiration from Mexican folklore and follows De La Cruz, a desperate fugitive turned CIA collaborator, and his encounter with Mother, an ancient shaman with terrifying abilities. “Nahuales” presents an intriguing narrative by exploring the question of who the true monsters are against the backdrop of real-world problems in modern-day Mexico. It captivates viewers with its tonally dark atmosphere and keeps them on edge until its final revelations. Guerrero’s segment also stands out for its exceptional creature and gore effects, featuring haunting and unnerving imagery. “Nahuales” is undoubtedly the most deserving of a feature-length spinoff among all the stories in Satanic Hispanics.

Diverse Tales: Moments of Excellence

While Satanic Hispanics may have its flaws, other segments offer their own merits. “Tambien Lo Ve,” directed by Demián Rugna and set in Argentina, creates a spooky atmosphere with impressive visuals and a multitude of scares within its brief runtime. On the other hand, “El Vampiro” from director Eduardo Sánchez provides a refreshing comedic take on vampire and Halloween tropes, effectively serving as a palate cleanser after the serious tones of previous segments. Sanchez brilliantly capitalizes on the comedic potential of an aging bloodsucker attempting to outrun the sunrise on the last night of October.

“The Hammer of Zanzibar”: A Missed Opportunity

Unfortunately, Alejandro Brugués’ “The Hammer of Zanzibar” disappoints. This segment attempts to infuse an Evil Dead-style of humor and energy into Satanic Hispanics but falls short, resulting in a grating and juvenile experience. “The Hammer of Zanzibar” heavily relies on a single joke at the expense of implied homosexuality and phallic imagery. While the creature effects and premise initially hold promise, they are overshadowed by the repetitive jokes, leading to a groan-inducing unveiling of the titular weapon.

Overall, Satanic Hispanics fails to distinguish itself from other contemporary horror anthologies. While the original premise and noble intentions of the filmmakers are commendable, the movie falls short of effectively showcasing Latin folklore and legends. Instead, it becomes a solid yet forgettable entry in this notoriously uneven subgenre. Regardless, Satanic Hispanics does demonstrate the impressive filmmaking talents involved, delivering some enjoyable moments of creatures and gore. However, these elements alone are not enough to make it a Halloween perennial.