Problemista is a love story about two strangers who up an unlikely friendship despite their distinct personalities. In its very surrealistically quirky depiction of a platonic relationship between Alejandro and Elizabeth, this film also explores the struggles of an immigrant finding ways to ensure his residence in the country. Moreover, Problemista has a lot of symbolism and motifs that are depicted quite flamboyantly through Tilda Swinton’s portrayal of Elizabeth.

Spoilers Ahead

What’s the meaning of Alejandro’s mother’s recurring dream?

As a child in El Salvador, Alejandro and his mother would often conjure imaginary situations together. His endearing mother, Dolores, believed Alejandro to be her perfect creation and was quite overprotective of her son. She often dreamt about Alejandro wearing a blue T-shirt and entering a mysterious cave deep inside a forest. It is implied that Alejandro must face a monster inside the cave, too. At the time,...