Tragic Jungle – Netflix Review (3/5)

TRAGIC JUNGLE on Netflix is a drama mystery with a slow-burn vibe and lots of symbolism. The story plays out in the Mayan jungle (org. title Selva trágica) and quite a few languages are spoken – including much English at first. Read our full Tragic Jungle movie review here!

TRAGIC JUNGLE is a new Netflix drama mystery that definitely won’t be for everyone. The entire vibe is very slow-burn and rough around the edges, which definitely isn’t bad. It just isn’t for everyone.

The story plays out in the Mayan jungle with all that this entails as far as both humans and animals are concerned.  This isn’t a film where you’ll see many familiar faces – except those of human nature in all its “glory”.

Continue reading our Tragic Jungle (org. title Selva trágica) movie review below and find it on Netflix now.

Gorgeous nature shots in the Mayan jungle

For me, the thing about Tragic Jungle that struck me first is the nature shots. Of course, the movie is named after its surrounding, so it would make sense, but still. The shots are gorgeous but also quite tragic or even sinister-themed at times.

As a whole, however, I just didn’t feel as engaged with the story as I had hoped. At first, it felt a bit along the lines of The Nightingale but that isn’t really a fair comparison for either movie.

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Our review of The Nightingale which plays out in rural Tasmania here >

Mostly, I think it was the slow-burn element that just took its toll on me. It’s simply too slow for the storyline. This could have been an intense short film instead. However, then all those lingering shots of both nature and the human psyche wouldn’t be included.

Watch Tragic Jungle on Netflix now!

Yulene Olaizola is the director and co-writer of Tragic Jungle (org. title). Her first movie was the documentary Shakespeare & Victor Hugo’s Intimacies (2008) which won many awards, so Yulene Olaizola was off to a very good start. Incidentally, this movie was actually about a possible serial killer and not about authors as the title might lead you to think.

The script was written with Rubén Imaz and the two previously co-wrote and co-directed the adventure movie Epitafio (2015).

While you might recognize a few of the actors, don’t expect to know the lead actor Indira Rubie Andrewin, who plays Agnes. This is her first credit according to IMDb. Also according to the website, she was born in a remote village with no electricity. An upbringing I’m sure also helps bring the realism of her acting to the forefront.

The character of Agnes is trying to escape an arranged marriage to an older English man and goes into the Mayan jungle.

And yes, you could easily watch Tragic Jungle for her portrayal of Agnes because she is impressive. She’s already been nominated for “Best Actress” at film festivals. Also, for those who care about language, she is one of the English-speaking characters.

Tragic Jungle is out on Netflix from June 9, 2021.

Details

Director: Yulene Olaizola
Writers: Rubén Imaz, Yulene Olaizola
Stars: Indira Rubie Andrewin, Gilberto Barraza, Mariano Tun Xool, Dale Carley, Shantai Obispo