A mysterious thriller set in the Mexican /Belize rain forest circa 1920. Two Belize/English speaking women in white are on the run from their English master, Cacique, (not a very English name?) Florence is a nurse, Agnes appears to be an intended bride. Cacique and is men catch up with them and kill the man who helped them escape, the women are shot and left for dead. Agnes however survives and wanders into the jungle, where she is found by a crew of gum harvesters. Amongst the men Agnes arouses their desires and as they decide to make a run for the border with their haul of gum they become paranoid that their boss will track them down and kill them. Is it the jungle and nature playing on their minds or are they bewitched by Agnes?, A Mayan voice over tells us about the dangers of the jungle and the mythical legend of Xtabay, a Demon woman who lures men to their death. The atmosphere of the jungle is claustrophobic and lends itself to some wonderful cinematography, it's full of wild animals and tension , a fittingly haunting score plays up the tension some more. It's actually almost a horror film but maybe too subtle for most people's definition?. The actors are pretty good and even though Agnes is a very laconic character, Indira Rubie Andrewin exudes mysteriousness. A film that might inspire you to look up Xtabay on Wikipedia, as it did me.
20 Reviews
Slow Poison
SameirAli18 July 2021
Worth a watch
zhivago9720 June 2021
Actually this is a decent movie. It's not perfect amd can be slow at times but I think it's a good effort for everyone involved in the production. It helps to interpret some things as metaphorical, which I believe is the intent. It wasn't until the end that I think I finally understood the movie, and ended up with a different opinion about key characters. With that in mind, if you sit through the whole movie, you'll end with a different perspective.
Beautiful surroundings
ptpitts14 June 2021
Disclaimer: whatever the description says- it has zero horror element
Official_MNAA10 June 2021
Extremely lengthy storyline with 80% mugshots. They sometimes took mugshots of horses too! Although the description of this film entry promises something 'supernatural'- it has nothing to do with horror. Felt a bit touch of mystery genre, this one is more like a mixture of Latin crime and survival mix.
I didn't get the poetry of Mayan dude. As a non-Latin person, it took me some time to realize what his poetries were about.
Not a bad movie, but not that enjoyable either. I have to admit, the acting was great. Although it means mostly staring blank to camera -almost the whole time, but the actors did a really great job.
I didn't get the poetry of Mayan dude. As a non-Latin person, it took me some time to realize what his poetries were about.
Not a bad movie, but not that enjoyable either. I have to admit, the acting was great. Although it means mostly staring blank to camera -almost the whole time, but the actors did a really great job.
Tragically boring
gurumaggie10 June 2021
What an absolute waste of my time, that's the biggest tragedy, I have never been so bored watching a totally scare free horror film, I can't believe this won an award, for what?
A documentary on paint dry would have been more fun.
A documentary on paint dry would have been more fun.
Listless
grantss23 September 2022
A Belizean woman, Agnes, heads out into the jungle to escape an arrange marriage. Near the border with Mexico she encounters a group of workers who initially treat her kindly and with respect. However, over time their desires complicate proceedings and Agnes becomes an object of lust. While seemingly innocent, Agnes is far from vulnerable.
A film that promised much. The initial plot suggested a theme of female empowerment and generally freedom from oppression. The encounter with the workers leads to simmering sexual tension and a thought that Agnes is not safe anymore. This all makes for an intriguing set up to the plot.
However, the film never really takes off. The tension is drawn out to the nth degree without any real progress in the story. Moreover, the film goes from psychological thriller to supernatural drama, definitely a step down.
In the end it just fizzles out, rather than ends saying anything profound or being entertaining. Quite disappointing.
A film that promised much. The initial plot suggested a theme of female empowerment and generally freedom from oppression. The encounter with the workers leads to simmering sexual tension and a thought that Agnes is not safe anymore. This all makes for an intriguing set up to the plot.
However, the film never really takes off. The tension is drawn out to the nth degree without any real progress in the story. Moreover, the film goes from psychological thriller to supernatural drama, definitely a step down.
In the end it just fizzles out, rather than ends saying anything profound or being entertaining. Quite disappointing.
A slow descent into the abyss
CornelisdeVos12 June 2021
I felt the need to write up a short review because, well, there weren't that many and I think this film deserves some words from a more balanced perspective.
First, this is not a movie to watch if you're looking for a "haunting flick" with jump-scares and ghostly apparitions. Its tempo is rather slow and pondering. But if you can enjoy movie experiences that are more like meditations, do not pass up on this film. This might also not be a film for your average date night as it has themes and certain shots that are extremely discomforting.
But if you, like me, enjoy movies that take place in the jungle and uses the jungle as a sort of n:th character in the plot (I immediately think of Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Apocalypse Now and Cannibal Holocaust to name a few), and you can - like previously mentioned - enjoy a movie that puts forth suggestive themes and existential questions in a shroud of contemplative horror, you'll enjoy it.
I deeply appreciate the fact that the movie uses both english, spanish and mayan language as it adds to the realism (as well as the narrative, which you'll understand by watching it), and the characters all felt believable and interesting in their own ways. It sort of reminds me of The Witch (2015) in some ways too, with its suggestive cinematography, and the music is haunting and unnerving.
Perfect for a late night watch if you can stomach the existential dread.
First, this is not a movie to watch if you're looking for a "haunting flick" with jump-scares and ghostly apparitions. Its tempo is rather slow and pondering. But if you can enjoy movie experiences that are more like meditations, do not pass up on this film. This might also not be a film for your average date night as it has themes and certain shots that are extremely discomforting.
But if you, like me, enjoy movies that take place in the jungle and uses the jungle as a sort of n:th character in the plot (I immediately think of Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Apocalypse Now and Cannibal Holocaust to name a few), and you can - like previously mentioned - enjoy a movie that puts forth suggestive themes and existential questions in a shroud of contemplative horror, you'll enjoy it.
I deeply appreciate the fact that the movie uses both english, spanish and mayan language as it adds to the realism (as well as the narrative, which you'll understand by watching it), and the characters all felt believable and interesting in their own ways. It sort of reminds me of The Witch (2015) in some ways too, with its suggestive cinematography, and the music is haunting and unnerving.
Perfect for a late night watch if you can stomach the existential dread.
WHERE HAS THE STORY GONE?
albertval-6956012 June 2021
I didn't quite see the point of this film. Sorry to say this. But is this an exposition of a mere mortal who's transformed into a magical being in the Mayan jungle? The viewer doesn't feel the magical or mysterious or mythical in this film. It was a big letdown save for the great shots of the jungle.
What on earth did I just watch?
nimitmmuni11 June 2021
Complete waste of time
IM_misch25 July 2022
Tragic
sairecabor12 June 2021
A VERY GOOD (****) movie.
cristrannack12 June 2021
This movie is in the worst top 10
Ferassun12 June 2021
Movie not as described
chanellos13 June 2021
Melatonin
ALopez344116 December 2021
perfect poetry of the Jungle...Mayan Central American setting quietly/zen like evocative...silently worms under your skin/mine at least...maybe because i was born in 1951 yup
ronzbronz20204 July 2021
...or because I spent a little time in Belize/Mexico/Costa Rica...I found this movie a perfectly rendered antidote to 'rockets red glare etc...' to be unleashed this July Fourth...Sunday in the Park...ha...absolutely mesmerizing/inspired/ripe/fertile imaginations & settings in harmonious quiet/poignant concert here!!! Bravo!!!Thanks...from ADK ancient gandalf of the Northern Hemisphere...Loved it 'Mucho Gusto...Gracias!!!
Fans of Terrence Malick won't be disappointed
andrewjking-707107 December 2021
Slow and introspective for the most part, this portrait of the jungle doesn't disappoint in arousing claustrophobic terror. Gorgeous cinematography and soundscape. Many Netflix gen reviewers don't have the attention span to give Tragic Jungle the credit it deserves as a film going against the grain of woke low attention span pandering which is going on in cinema these days.
This isn't a film about magic. It centers around a Mayan myth of the "Xtabay woman", a siren-like spirit who lures men to tragedy. Exposed to trauma, the female lead begins to exhibit spooky witch-like behaviour as she is used and abused by a variety of men. And the paranoia of the gum collectors plus the hysteria of the chaotic jungle begs the question: is it madness or something more sinister at play?
This isn't a film about magic. It centers around a Mayan myth of the "Xtabay woman", a siren-like spirit who lures men to tragedy. Exposed to trauma, the female lead begins to exhibit spooky witch-like behaviour as she is used and abused by a variety of men. And the paranoia of the gum collectors plus the hysteria of the chaotic jungle begs the question: is it madness or something more sinister at play?
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
