Mikey Peralta Jr. | Instagram | Letterboxd | TikTok

Hey all! I’m Mikey Peralta Jr., and I’m the Latin American horror cinema expert! Horrorverse has graciously given me the opportunity to highlight some Latin American films, and I’ll never pass up a moment to share them.

I’ve been descending into these films for years and made it my mission to be your one-stop shop for Latin American horror cinema through my digital work: Descent Into Horror. I’m making this possible through my Letterboxd account. I also had a column with Dread Central titled Horror En Español. On top of this, I release videos on TikTok and Instagram.

I’ve completely immersed myself in the world of Latin American cinema. If you were to ask me what gravitates me to these films so much, well, we’d have to grab a coffee because it’s going to turn into a long discussion. These films are drenched in folklore, fantasy, and fear. There’s just no denying the magical realism that runs deep in these films, even if it isn’t at the forefront. Religion and revolution are also a huge part of many Latin American films. It’s no surprise given their oppressed history and what had to be done in order to survive. This is the spice I often talk about when referring to how “Latin American Cinema Has Spice”.

Each country comes with its own set of politics and beliefs, yet it still perfectly fits within Latin American cinema as a whole. I’d even argue Latin American cinema can be categorized as its own subgenre. Similar themes and beats run through the story’s veins just like their shared past. There are many ways you can approach Latin American cinema, and because of it, it can definitely seem daunting. This is exactly why I’m here: to help guide you into what this subgenre has to offer.

My first pick is going to be PLAGA ZOMBIE from Argentina. This is a shot-on-video zombie film that perfectly displays Latin America’s love for horror. It’s as DIY as you can get. It’s energetic and a huge love letter to splatter horror such as Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson. Next, I’m going with THE LAST MATINEE from Uruguay. Just like the previous film, THE LAST MATINEE works as a tribute to cinema-goers. The film shows its respect for the art of going to the theatres, the experience, and the films we grew to love because of it. All of this is told through a neo-giallo lens. My final recommendation is going to be the Mexican found footage film called PUTREFIXION: A VIDEO OF NINA TEMICH. This is a great example of Latin genuineness and creativity. It’s a film told with a 360 camera, and it never once feels gimmicky. The camera is integral to the story but also creates impressive shots and scenes throughout the film. 

Latin America isn’t typically the first place people think of when talking about international horror films, but it is slowly getting its recognition. I love to see it grow, and one day it’ll be a top contender. But until then, don’t sleep on Latin American cinema!

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd

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Mikey Peralta Jr. and the Horrorverse crew share their favorite horror films from Latin America! Check them out here on Letterboxd.

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

I love reading horror outside my own experience, and this week we’re talking Latin America. Here are a few of my favorite reads from some amazing Latinx horror writers.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - My mind keeps returning to this over a year after I first read it. It’s a Mexican-American gothic told through the eyes of three women connected by blood, by love, and by chance. See my full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/the-bewitching

House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias - When the mother of one of a group of five friends is shot down by a dangerous, violent drug lord, her son swears revenge and he and his friends attempt to get it during a deadly hurricane which is said to blow in evil spirits with it. Heartbreaking and scary. I recommend the audiobook for this one; the narration is so full of emotion. This is definitely the most violent of my recommendations this week. And the next one has vampires, so…

Maria the Wanted by V. Castro - Maria is a vampire on a mission to get answers about the mysterious vampire who turned her who becomes a bit of a social justice vampire, which means, because vampires and cartels and cartel vampires, she creates a lot of enemies and few friends along the way. This was my favorite kind of thriller, one where I didn't know what was going to happen next, where I literally held my breath several times, and with a protagonist who is complicated and real, but that you ultimately root for.

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