Directed by Luis Ortega, this is a dark comedy where exploration ends up in a bind. Kill the Jockey presents conflicts up front and hurdles along the way after a detrimental disaster. Vivid and thought-provoking, Ortega knows how to create a film that feels two-sided—with conflict and identity. The setup uses impairment to its advantage, but when that tactic falls apart, a new journey begins with a desperate search for answers.

The film’s focus is Remo (Nahuel Perez Biscayart), a jockey under a wealthy businessman named Sirena. Sirena presents himself in a mob-typed fashion. He owns horses, and Remo is his top racer. Then there is Abril (Ursula Corbero). She islearning the ropes to be a jockey and is pregnant. The baby belongs to Remo. Life for these characters boils over with politics and anxiety playing a role. When Remo messes up, his life transitions and he becomes rebellious. The title speaks for itself as the story takes a turn. 

The film paints a portrait of Remo being desperate for success. From the outside, though, it doesn’t seem that he can own hisfeelings. There are moments when he finds himself wondering about his identity. He begins to experience feminine moments in his life after a particular disastrous race. While Sirena is trying to figure out what to do with Remo, Remo continues down the path of provoked and erratic behavior. He appears to be coming out of his cage with a vengeance and a classic hint of uncertainty. 

The dynamic of entrapment is what I found to be extraordinarily compelling in Kill the Jockey. When Remo comes out of his shell, his vindictiveness displays a form of humanistic emotions that are just surreal. It is a portrait of fame, love, and loss looking to be earned. The writing clearly focuses on the conflict and dynamics tied to Remo, Sirena, and Abril. Abril, however, is the lowest priority, but she serves as an important opener for Remo’s doors.

With the races being a blur, and with Remo finding himself going crazy, Kill the Jockey leaves audiences with a vibrant sense of curiosity about the eventual consequences. Remo’s impact is the main subject of the audacious dynamic and interruption of the criminal setup. The exploration in this film is vivid as it highlights how things for those who work in a livelihood which is out of their control encounter many unseen pressures. Ortega’s directing has an effective way of showcasingkarma containing many slaps in the face. Remo wants to fulfill his happiness and Abril’s happiness, but he also wants to find his own success instead of it being under Sirena. Given Sirena’ssacrifices for him in the past, escaping from the big boss sends Remo on a road of tough choices in Kill the Jockey.

This film is diverse and unique. Kill the Jockey has a realistic foundation that I was sold on. As Remo navigates life outside, his search for identity evolves. In a strange way, Remo’s journeymakes sense—because his life has been micro-managed for years. It is an unimaginable awakening with funny moments that grow darker. Ortega presents a life to be learned in a criminal context. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Kill the Jockey.