Watch Obedencia Perfecta

Obedencia Perfecta is a Mexican drama film that tells the story of a young man named Julian, played by Sebastian Aguirre, who dreams of becoming a priest. Julian is taken in by a charismatic priest named Angel de la Cruz, played by Juan Ignacio Aranda, who leads a Catholic youth group known as La Cruz when they embark on a spiritual retreat. Initially, Julian is thrilled to be a part of the group and finds solace in his faith, but things take a dark turn when he learns about the systematic abuse that Angel has been carrying out towards the members of the youth group.

Isabel Aerenlund plays Natalia, a journalist who is investigating the Catholic Church's cover-up of sexual abuse allegations made against Angel. As Julian becomes more involved with the youth group, he begins to see the darker side of Angel's behavior, including his physical and emotional abuse towards the members. Despite this, Julian is torn between his loyalty towards Angel and his growing realization that something is very wrong.

As the story unfolds, Julian must navigate his own spiritual crisis, as he grapples with the realization that the man he idolizes is not as good as he once thought. Julian's journey is made all the more complicated by his growing attraction to Natalia, who encourages him to speak out against the abuse that he has witnessed. Through Julian's eyes, the audience sees just how insidious and destructive the culture of silence around sexual abuse can be, particularly within religious organizations.

The film is directed by Luis Urquiza, and is based on real-life events, which makes it all the more powerful. The performances of the cast are excellent, particularly Sebastian Aguirre, who manages to convey the internal conflict and confusion that Julian feels throughout the film. Juan Ignacio Aranda plays Angel with a chilling mix of charisma and manipulation, which makes his crimes all the more horrifying. Isabel Aerenlund also delivers a strong performance as Natalia, who serves as a moral compass for Julian.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the film is shot beautifully, with sweeping landscapes and stunning cinematography. The use of music is also notable, as it adds to the atmosphere of tension and unease that permeates the film. Overall, Obedencia Perfecta is a thought-provoking and emotional film that shines a light on the devastating impact of sexual abuse within institutions of power. It is a film that will stay with its audience long after the credits have rolled, and one that is all the more important for its timeliness in the current climate of heightened awareness around abuse and misconduct.