The moment I see Rihanna is a part of any film or music project, I try to experience it as soon as possible. I fell in love with Guava Island from the moment it began, with Rihanna narrating its beautiful hand-drawn animated opening sequence. What I also love about this film is how it doesn’t present the Caribbean as the illusion of glamorous paradise it’s usually portrayed to be. It instead showcases the realities of island life and spotlights a more accurate depiction of the Caribbean experience. And when it comes to fashion, this film has a really great representation of Caribbean culture, but there is one look in the final scene, where Rihanna this beautiful blue garment, which is completely jaw-dropping. This hour-long music video has breathtaking scenery, amazing music by Childish Gambino (AKA Donald Glover), and a beautiful message; it’s definitely something you should check out if you haven’t already. (Seriously, the scene where Gambino performs “Summertime Magic” to Rihanna alone is enough to consider it a must-watch.) —Juan

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In the rough year that we’ve all been living in, a certain film can come around and feel like a ray of sunshine. Language Lessons was not only work that I related to a lot, but it also showcased a beautiful friendship we don’t often see in media today. A vivid portrait of love and loss, Language Lessons shows how people come into our lives when we need it the most. There’s so much I loved about it, including the chemistry between the two leads, Cariño (Morales) and Adam (Mark Duplass), as well as how the entire film is set up like a long Spanish class, which also brought me so much comfort and joy. At the end of the day, it’s a beautiful story about how learning new things will lead to incredible friendships and relationships that can change your life for the better. —Gabriela

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This film is a portrayal of the Puerto Rico that exists now, and the one that is rarely presented in onscreen. Perfume de Gardenias premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and quickly became one of my favorites of the event. It was inspired by real-life events and was released during a very interesting political time in Puerto Rico. I won’t spoil it, but seeing that aspect of our culture deeply moved me because despite it not being the happiest of topics, there was someone talking about it and exposing audiences outside of the island to the reality that we live in. —Gabriela

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Even with the inherent beauty of Latinx culture, some not-so-beautiful things still prevail, like homophobia, racism, and misogyny. Those aspects of the culture are what director Mariana Rondón addresses in her film Pelo Malo. The plot follows a young boy who has thick curly hair but wishes to straighten it to look like the rest of the boys in his class and to recreate the hairstyle of his favorite singer. The boy’s wish causes a lot of drama because his family thinks that straightening hair, or doing anything to it, is something that’s only reserved for women. It brings forward important conversations about the internalized misogyny and homophobia that prevails in many families to this day, and many other taboo topics. I’m so glad that this film exists. —Gabriela

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a. The Mirabal sisters have become a symbol of revolution, for they were known for being strong opposers of the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship that had taken over the Dominican Republic. Their vocal disagreement and activism against Trujillo resulted in their murders, which transformed the history of the country. The siblings have become martyrs and are remembered as some of the many people who have lost their lives defending their country from an abuse of power. This film documents that moment in history, and it reminds us that the Mirabal sisters should not be forgotten. —Gabriela

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Growing up and leaving your home to follow your dreams is part of life, but what happens when you return home after being away for so long? Enter this Goya Award-winning film, where we find out just what it’s like to come back home and be confronted with all the things you left behind. It’s a very simple story with a lot of heart, as it showcases the unforgettable feeling of the first love. It’s one of the few Latinx dramas/romance stories that have stuck with me the most, because of how personal it feels and how gut-punching the dialogue is. I don’t think you have to be Latinx to feel its impact. —Gabriela

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We are in the renaissance of horror cinema, and there’s no denying that women form a big part of it. In this dark fairytale, Issa López brings a new take on the genre: sometimes it isn’t about zombies, ghouls, or werewolves, but rather the reality that we live in. Exploring the dark side of humanity, Tigers exposes the violence, corruption, and the human trafficking that happens not only in México, but around the world. —Ana

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There’s probably been a point in most film lovers’ lives where we dream of creating our own film. However, we get lost in the daydream and tend to forget how complicated the process of making one can actually be. I Am a Director is a mockumentary that shows the struggle of being a filmmaker in a very humorous way. It’s relatable for up-and-coming filmmakers but especially for those that live in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the question comes up is usually: “Should I make my movie in English or in my native tongue?” The film is a refreshing take on the Puerto Rican film industry and doesn’t give in the stereotypical Puerto Rican comedy. —Ana

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Shot like a feature film, The Mole Agent is a documentary that exhibits a refreshing new take on the genre. As we follow 83-year-old Sergio Chamy going under cover in a retirement home, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to live in one. Starting off as a quirky detective story, we see Don Sergio as the life of the party, filling the home with his love and charm. However, the documentary gradually transitions into a different, sadder story about the abandonment and loneliness within these homes. Director Maite Alberdi seamlessly handles this sensitive topic with compassion and care. —Ana

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In this new rendition of the Latin folktale, La Llorona uses horror to open up a conversation about Guatemala’s political discourse. Using magical realism to shed light on the crimes that have been committed to the indigenous communities, it highlights how the scars from the past never truly heal. Jayro Bustamante’s attention to detail manages to create a visually striking film that is subtle yet powerful. —Ana

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Picture this: you’re about to get married, and you want to be somewhat traditional. So, of course, you’ll need something new, something old, something borrowed stolen…And that’s where things get tricky. Algo Azul, or Something Blue, is an enchanting Panamanian romantic comedy about a young woman named Ana that decides she must get married ASAP with an expensive dress that she just so happened to steal. I was able to watch this film at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, and it has found a home in my heart. Described as a reflection on true love, this is the ultimate comfort film, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it. —Josie

In theaters on October 21 in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.

There is no other way to put this: Executive Order by Lázaro Ramos should be a mandatory watch. When Brazil’s authoritarian government forces all citizens of African descent to move to Africa after a lawyer sues for reparations, chaos ensues. Only one man is left standing by the end, or so we think. Ramos takes it upon himself to not only analyze what it means to be Black in a Latin American country but to also question what really makes up a home. Are you defined by where you live, where your parents lived, or where your great ancestors came from? While this is an ever-present question in Latin American cinema, Ramos takes it up a notch and puts it under a microscope in hopes of finally addressing the complex and multi-layered identity of many that form part of South America and the Caribbean. —Josie

Coming soon.

Be still my beating heart! This is an obligatory rewatch every Christmas for me. Casanova’s piece is an adaptation of various works by the playwright Luis Rafael Sánchez. It follows various strangers that find themselves on a voyage from Puerto Rico to New York during the holidays and even went on to have its premiere on a flight following the same route. It is charming as much as it is heartbreaking, serving as a reflection of the ever-evolving search for better opportunities elsewhere—a theme very common in Latinx households. The film is truly ageless, a soft-spoken reminder of how where we come from will always be with us no matter where we might find ourselves the next day. —Josie

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Five tourists. One immigration room. Plenty of baggage. Much like La Guagua Aérea, El Cuartito follows individuals as they’re forced to get to know each other—and themselves. Mixing different cultures, beliefs, and aspirations, director Marcos Carnevale’s exploration of human nature is a touching story that highlights how life would be much simpler if we would take down the literal and metaphorical borders we build up around ourselves. It also takes a moment to criticize the Trump presidency and its effect on Puerto Rico, given its colonial status, which rarely gets uplifted in film. —Josie

Available on HBO Max in Latin America.

When Renato discovers he has an American half-brother named Asher, the two must go on a road trip together for Renato to finally learn why his father never came back for him in Mexico. Half Brothers is an emotional story about belonging, challenging our perception of what really makes up who you are as a person. What does family really mean? And to what extent are you willing to protect it? If you’re looking for a film that’s full of heart, look no further. —Josie

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