Horror and comedyjoin hands inAmerican Carnage,which finds the young and the old thrust upon each other in what may be 2022’s most inventive way to deliver a message about the injustices facing the immigration system. And maybe eldercare, for that matter. In the hands of lifelong horror fans Diego and Julio Hallivis—or The Hallivis Brothers as they are known in filmdom—brother Diego directs a crafty tale: What could possibly go wrong when a governor issues an executive order to arrest the children of undocumented immigrants, only to offer them an opportunity to have their charges dropped by volunteering at an eldercare facility? you may see where this is headed. And it’s not the stench of catheter bags we smell. It’s trouble. Inside the seemingly tranquil Owl Manor, these newbie volunteers discover their part of abizarre and depraved conspiracythat endangers both the young and the old. And nary a B-12 booster shot on site. Go figure.
“I wasn’t particularly eager to tackle ‘horror’ in my career, but as soon as I read the script and saw that it centered around the undocumented immigrant experience, there was no question about it—I had to do this,” saysBella Ortiz, who plays Micah in the film. “My mom and I moved to the United States from Chile when I was 4, and I became a citizen when I was 17. This was the perfect way to be part of something I felt so strongly about.”
Allen Maldonado(Netflix’sSneakerheads) shares Ortiz’s sentiment. After diving into the script, he knew he had to take on the role of Big Mac, one of the “volunteers.” “I loved how this tackled a topic of immigration in an entertaining way. And in no way are we saying this movie is the answer, but rather a way to remind people of the severity and put a human face to the word ‘immigrants,’ and realize that oftentimes immigrants may be seen as things rather than human beings. The way this film tackles that topic is done with both humor and horror, and it fascinated me.”
The American Carnage Backstory
The Hallivis Brothers lured in a robust cast forAmerican Carnage. In addition to Ortiz and Maldonado, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Wu Tang: An America Saga,) Jenna Ortega (X, Studio 666) Jorge Diaz (Paranormal Activity), and Yumarie Morales (The Dropout) costar, with Eric Dane floating in after all that prosthetic buzz he garnered onSeason Two ofEuphoria.Director Diego Hallivis credits his Mexican American roots as part of the inspiration for the project. “I have been inspired to tell a story and make sure the cruel separation camps we currently have in the United States are not forgotten,” he noted in his Director’s Statement, adding that “this is a conversation that cannot fade into the background, as so many important topics often do. Deep down, Hallivis wanted to tell a story that used horror as a metaphor to reflect the reality of the many Latinos “put into a system where they are treated less than human—this is not by accident, this is by design.” The best way Hallivis knew how to tell a story that not only stood out but was also compelling and thought-provoking — while still making it fun — was by using genre as a key tool. “I wanted to push the limits of what to show on the screen while also finding moments of levity to keep the audience in a constant state of tension and release, mixing horror and comedy,” Hallivis noted. “For me,American Carnageis a way to talk bring light to a harsh reality in a form of uplifting escapism.”
Maldonado recalls Hallivis’s creative process. “Diego loves attention to detail,” he says. “The meetings we had prior to filming were great in regard to understanding the nuances of everything in the movie, especially my character, Big Mac.” Who, like the other “volunteers” in the tale, endures a bevy of intense situations. About midway throughAmerican Carnage,the tone shifts. Things get twisty, the stakes become higher. Behold the horror. “There were some intense moments in the film, but the overall energy on set is often dictated by the director. And it was an inviting and pleasant place. And that’s the biggest compliment you can give a director when you’re an actor—that you feel safe to perform at your highest level.”
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Blending Genres To Make A Point
Ortiz admits that at times, it seems hard even to putAmerican Carnageinto just one genre that’s been defined or classified. There are far too many factors that filter into the mix—first, the depth of the immigration issue, thenthe gritty horror element, and the light touches of humor. Somehow, the filmmakers make it work—so far, the film is trending toward mostly positive reviews. If anything, it’s a rare summer film experience. “I’ve never seen this kind of story done in with horror and comedy," Ortiz shares. “We see a lot of stories about undocumented immigrants. In Hollywood, I’m pretty sure we all think of the same story that’s been presented to us. There’s a lot of content about Mexico and about the drug cartel. And that’s where the focus is pointed. This is a breath of fresh air. And it’s just one perspective. There are so many others, and it’s necessary for the industry to show those perspectives.”
In conversation, Ortiz’s depth shines through. You can almost imagine the creative wheels spinning in her mind. She doesn’t mind diving into these deeper issues and speaking her truth. And coming from another country offered her unique insights. When asked what she felt most people may not know about immigrants or the immigrant experience, she’s candid. “I noticed a lot even from a young age,” she says. “A lot of people have this kind of narrative that has also exacerbated in recent times with politics… that if you’re undocumented and illegal, that you’re somehow a criminal or bad. Or you’re in this country because you’re trying to go around the system—that the reason you’re still undocumented is that you won’t go and do it the right way.
“But the process of becoming a citizen is such a long one,” she adds. “And even if you come in and do all the steps in the right way, you’re still in the waiting process. It can take very long. That’s the one thing that really stood out to me—realizing that it’s a challenging process. Citizens of the United States who aren’t taught that or ever must go through that experience may see it like it should be an easy thing to do. If you come to this country and want to be a citizen—just fill out a form like you do at the DMV. It’s not like that—at all. The process comes with a lot of sacrifices that people may not realize. Maybe, in some way, this film sheds light on some of this differently.”
American Carnagehits theaters and on digital and demand on July 15.
