Latin Blood: The Ballad of Ney Matogrosso

The movie "Latin Blood: The Ballad of Ney Matogrosso" tells the powerful story of a Brazilian music legend whose fearless style and voice left a lasting mark on the country.

Director Esmir Filho does an incredible job capturing Ney Matogrosso's life in bold, expressive style-tracing his journey from a tough childhood with an abusive father, through the free-spirited 60s, his sexual awakening, the explosive rise of the group "Secos & Molhados", and his fearless challenge to Brazil's military regime, all the way to his iconic solo career.

Jesuíta Barbosa's jaw-dropping performance as Ney Matogrosso, he fully incorporates the role, nailing every move, every glance, every gesture with incredible precision.

The movie also highlights Ney's biggest musical milestones while also diving into his passionate encounters set against the backdrop of Rio's sun-soaked beaches.

At its core, the movie offers insight into the choices and mindset that shaped this star's journey-and it's absolutely worth a watch!!!!

'Homem com H' is one of the best biography docudrama's I have seen so far. The movie intelligently portrays the story of a well-respected brazilian artist by offering the audience a glimpse into his private life in a way that is coherent and entertaining, making us feel like we understand what is going on in Ney Matogrosso's head and why he becomes the iconic personality that he is today.

Jesuíta Barbosa's performance as Ney Matogrosso rivals that of Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury ('Bohemian Rhapsody') in it's thoughtfullness towards incorporating every mannerism and way of thinking that the real-life people they are portraying have. It is an honestly incredible, very much award-worthy performance that balances the line between being nuanced and overdramatized. The rest of the cast similarly does a phenomenal job in portraying their real-life counterparts without taking away the focus from the protagonist.

The movie is incredibly explicit, perhaps excessively so, but one must assume that it is an important and relevant part of Ney's life, and that his story could not have been told as faithfully without it. If you do not enjoy sex scenes, or gay sex scenes, this biography may not be for you, but otherwise it is a fascinating piece of biographical storytelling and an absolute must watch even for those who are not familiar with Ney Matogrosso - if nothing else, his music alone is sure to leave you with a good first impression as you walk out of the movie theatre.

I personally have never listened to Ney Matogrosso, but this movie has some amazing music by him that I will now be actively listening to. This film portrays his life from his hard childhood, to his rising to fame, to his impacting legend in Brazilian entertainment. Stories like this are so powerful and beautiful, and I am a more full person having watched this one.

I watched this movie with my Brazilian wife who taught me about Ney. I honestly was not expecting this movie to be that good! I was hooked from the beginning to the end. The actor playing Ney deserves so much praise for his captivating portrayal. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie, even if you don't speak Portuguese. We watched it in Portuguese with English subtitles and it was perfect for us both.

I would say that this is a great movie to watch even if you do not know Ney's story, like me. I really enjoyed learning about his life and all of the fascinating friends he made in his life. We laughed, we cried, my wife sang, we had a great time!

From its opening shot it's clear 'Homem com H' isn't your average biopic. Lush cinematography sweeps us from the misty Atlantic Forest to the tropicalist explosion of the 1970s, bathing every frame in dreamlike light. The costumes-a hypnotic parade of feathers, leather, and sequins-recreate the era without feeling like a fancy-dress museum.

The film's greatest triumph is its performances. Jesuíta Barbosa doesn't merely imitate Ney Matogrosso; he embodies him with raw, magnetic energy, balancing vulnerability and creative fury.

Director Esmir Filho embraces sensuality without ever sliding into cheap provocation. The hotter scenes are choreographed with tenderness and tact, turning eroticism into a celebration of artistic freedom rather than an easy shock. The script leaps across decades, stitched together by musical numbers that serve as emotional portals; occasionally it trades biographical depth for momentum, yet it never loses its rhythm or exuberance.

Ultimately, 'Homem com H' is cinema that pulses-joyful, intense, sensual, and defiantly liberating. One of Brazil's most memorable films of 2025, it leaves you stepping out of the theater with Ney's music in your head. Unmissable.