Writer-director Daniel Andres Werner’s Amor Bandido brings back a seemingly ignored genre that used to be all the rage. That’s right, Wener and co-writer Diego Avalos have crafted a sexual thriller. Does the Argentinian film make a case for these types of movies to make a proper comeback? Or is there a reason they’ve dwindled over the years?
Joan (Renato Quattordio) is a frustrated teenager. His relationship with his parents, especially his father, is uneasy and tense. The lad has a few friends at school, though he’s mostly apathetic towards hanging out with them. The person who does bring out Joan’s inner passion is his art teacher, Luciana (Romina Ricci). In a lapse of judgement, she gave in to temptation, and the two had sex. Now, it is all Joan wants, and Luciana gives in again. To that end, the student and teacher flee to a weekend getaway at a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Their affair is passionate, further by the taboo of it all.
But all things must come to an end. Unfortunately for Joan, this lusty, forbidden fruit turns sour in a way he couldn’t have imagined. Luciana’s injured “brother” (Rafael Ferro) shows up and begins barking orders. Soon, the school kid is locked in a single room with no escape. Why has he been kidnapped? What is Luciana and her family’s endgame with Joan?
“…for Joan, this lusty, forbidden fruit turns sour in a way he couldn’t have imagined.”
Strangely, Amor Bandido has strong sequel vibes, which is both a good and bad thing. The actors fit their characters like a glove, seemingly having lived and breathed these people before. The alluded-to backstories of Luciana and Joan’s first encounter and her family’s murderous backstory are fascinating. The problem is they are more intriguing than how Werner’s debut wraps up. Without spoiling much, the “why” is undercooked, and a number of contrivances must happen for it to work. However, a scene involving a nail, a head, and several bullets is one of the best of the entire feature.
With that being said, the first two acts here are rather remarkable. As a filmmaker, Werner creates a sultry, steamy atmosphere that also feels dangerous. It is an impressive feat for any director to control the tone and visual language with such force, much less for a first-timer to pull off it so well. The editing plays a large part here, with scenes blending together, mimicking the bodies in the contorted throes of passion. From a visual standpoint, this thriller is top-shelf.
The cast of Amor Bandido is just as good. Quattordio is believable as a kid who is mature for his age but still a teen. Ricci is flirty in all the right ways, while her looks make her a killer sexpot. Ferro is terrifying as the psychotic man who controls everyone around him.
Amor Bandido is a strong but not flawless debut. The last 20 minutes feel rushed and contorted to make everything tie together. But the setup is great, as is the sexy atmosphere that permeates so much of the first two acts. The cast all deliver lived-in, authentic performances. Werner has much to be proud of here.
"…Werner creates a sultry, steamy atmosphere..."
