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Miss Bala

An action thriller movie

By Imabong FaminuPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Miss Bala
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash

Introduction

Miss Bala is a 2019 action /thriller written by Gareth Dunnett-Alcocen, directed by Catherine Hardwicke, and produced by Pablo Cruz and Kevin Misher. The film stars Gina Rodiguez as lead character Gloria Fuentes; Ismael Cruz Cordova as cartel leader Lino Esparza and Anthony Mackie as C.I.A agent Jimmy

Synopsis

Gloria Fuentes (Gina Rodriguez) is a make-up artist from Los Angeles visiting her friend Suzu in Tijuana, Mexico. Suzu plans to contest in the upcoming Miss Baja California pageant. Suzu and Gloria visit a nightclub where Suzu hopes to meet and impress General Saucedo, the local chief of police and major pageant sponsor. Gloria excuses herself to use the bathroom. Suddenly armed men burst in through the ladies' room roof and begin to check the stalls. Gloria is found and ordered to leave the club. She runs out and while trying to locate Suzu, the gunmen open fire hoping to kill the general but he escapes. All attempts to reach Suzu on phone prove abortive.

Gloria approaches a police officer on the scene telling him she saw the men who attacked the club. He asks her to accompany him to the police station but instead, hands her over to members of Los Estrella — the cartel that attempted to kill the general. She is taken to their leader Lino who promises to help her find Suzu if she works for them. Her first job is to park a car on a curb close to a house. Unknown to her, the car is packed with explosives and the house is a DEA safe house. Lino and his men detonate the bomb killing the operatives inside. Lino wants to get close to Saucedo by registering Gloria in the Miss Baja pageant since the winner always has to sleep with Saucedo.

After registration, Gloria escapes through a lavatory window but is arrested by DEA agent Brian Reich who accuses her of killing 3 DEA agents. Her only choice is to become an informant by putting a tracking device on Lino’s phone. Gloria goes to Suzu’s house to get Chava, Suzu’s younger brother but before they can get away, Lino and his men take over the house and order Gloria and Chava upstairs. While Lino is distracted, Gloria puts the tracker on his phone.

Gloria’s second job is to drive to San Diego to deliver cash and pick up an arms cache. On her way back, she buys a phone and calls Brian with drop-off information. At the drop-off, DEA and police show up but do not get Gloria out as promised. Lino is shot in the leg and Gloria helps him. The gang escapes and Lino orders a search of all phones. Gloria sets up a fire accident in the kitchen and sneaks off to switch the tracker to another phone.

Unfortunately, the phone she chooses belongs to Isabella, another kidnap victim who Lino executes thinking her a traitor.

Lino asks Gloria to help him kill Saucedo. He plans to rig the pageant in her favor so she gets invited to the party where they will attack and kill him. Gloria refuses because she fears she will eventually be killed just like Isabella. Lino shows her a video of Suzu being auctioned off as a sex slave. Gloria agrees, wins the pageant as gets to the party. There, she bumps into Suzu and notices she has a tattoo — the same tattoo as Isabella marking her as Los Estrella property. Gloria realizes that it was Lino that kidnapped and sold Suzu into sex slavery and prostitution.

Gloria is called away to Saucedo’s room where he orders her to undress. Gloria instead shows him her bug (listening device) and writes a note telling him Lino is coming to kill him. Saucedo escapes as Lino’s men storm the party ensuing in another shoot-out. Gloria grabs a gun from a wounded man and goes in search of Suzu and they run to the parking lot. Saucedo grabs Suzu using her as a human shield but Gloria shoots him in the leg forcing him to release Suzu while Lino shoots him dead. Gloria turns the gun on Lino accusing him of lying and deceiving her. Lino attempts to pull his gun and Gloria shoots him dead.

The police arrive and arrest Gloria and Suzu. During interrogation, Gloria realizes that Jimmy is an undercover CIA agent. Jimmy asks that she comes to work for the CIA. She agrees in exchange for expunging all charges against her and Suzu’s release.

Social Relevance

The movie covers key social topics like drugs, prostitution, sex slavery, kidnapping, murder, friendship, loyalty, desperation, and family.

Conclusion

Miss Bala is a fast-paced action -thriller with a great storyline chronicling a young woman’s plight in the face of terrible odds, the search for her best friend, a dangerous cartel, and only her wits and quick thinking to keep her one step ahead of death. The beauty of this story is Gloria’s strength and will to survive as well as the street smarts she displays to outwit her captors, free her friend and negotiate a deal with the CIA.

Viewing Advisory

This movie depicts recurring scenes of drugs, violence, prostitution, sexual violence, murder, and kidnapping,

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About the Creator

Imabong Faminu

I write poems about life & love. I write about movies & other things. Want to know more about my work? Click link below for more info

https://linktr.ee/Imabongfaminu_wordsrwine

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