Justina Machado plays a woman who returns to Washington Heights after 16 years in prison. Turns out her fave empanada shop is still there and it’s run by an old friend (Alejandro Hernandez). She starts living in his basement and working as a masseuse, but an accident leaves a dead body that must be disposed. He has an idea to boost biz by using the meat for his pies. This update on Sweeney Todd is set in a modern day Latinx culture and it’s very dark without much humor. The murders aren’t esp bloody, but they have brutal moments that ramp the tension up and down. This is more about the characters than the crimes: Machado is wrapped in the role with the ethical dilemma taking up much of her concern (her VO describing her thoughts is unnecessary). Hernandez also does a fine job, esp the revealing breakdown in Ep 7. The rest of the cast is solid with a surprising sharp turn from Cyndi Lauper. Since it’s clear where this drama is going, it’s up to the movie to keep it captivating, which it does with a solid sinister tone. 
(3.5 / 5)
