Director: Gigi Saul Guerrero
Writers: Efrén Hernández (teleplay by), James Benson (teleplay by)
Stars: Martha Higareda, Richard Cabral, Barbara Crampton
With the fireworks bursting in the air and hotdogs on the grill, Culture Shock, from Mexican director Gigi Saul Guerrero, is July's edition of Blumhouse Television's Into the Dark anthology series. Having partnered with Hulu last year to bring an anthology series of movies, Culture Shock is a social horror film about the American Dream that tackles issues of identity, immigration, and racism by mixing elements of The Matrix and The Stepford Wives to tell a story . It's ambitious, fascinating, and features the best ensemble yet for Into the Dark, anchored by a fantastic performance from Martha Higareda.
Culture Shock tells the story of Marisol (Martha Higareda), a woman who survived extensive trauma at the hands of someone she trusted. Know that he has crossed the border and she looks to confront him by crossing too. However, she is forced to use a coyote, a term used to describe a person who helps immigrants cross the United States/Mexico border. Often smugglers in it for the money, the front half of the film builds tension by focussing on the real terror of having crossing the border for women who are alone. This half is all in Spanish.
While the last acts of Culture Shock live in a world of science fiction, the horror is still real, it's just one experienced by those once they reach the United States. The Spanish is gone, the dress is wholesome .As the film transitions to Stepford world, we learn that every character we've met until now has been converted into the ideal American.
Culture Shock is fierce, inspired work. It's not exactly subtle. To put it simply, Culture Shock is a film that everyone needs to see. While I wish it had received a larger release, it's quality is not hurt by its status as a Hulu Original. It is not only Into the Dark's best installment but one of the best horror films of the year.
