“My dream is to represent the beautiful women of my state,” repeats Tijuana lady Laura (Stephanie Sigman), auditioning for the eponymous beauty pageant in Gerardo Naranjo’s thriller.
She soon represents a sorrier statistic as she’s inducted into Mexico’s underworld of murderers and corrupt cops.
Brilliantly shot in long takes, each leading Laura further into unspeakable peril, it’s more an extraordinary feat of organisation than an affecting tragedy.
Sigman’s turn is committed and the set-pieces harrowing, but sympathy soon gives way to shellshock.
