Two young men playfully fighting on a beach open the movie "Motel Destino", directed by the talented Karim Aïnouz. Their carefree frolic sets up an unexpected queer undercurrent that continues throughout this erotic thriller, despite the main characters being involved in a dark straight love triangle.
Inspired by classic noir films including "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Double Indemnity", Aïnouz creates an intriguing expectation for some twists and turns that somewhat delivers by taking the viewers from violence to an unexpected deliverance.
Hélène Louvart's visually striking cinematography gives the film its alive and alarming appeal, with images radiating vitality and popping with bold, saturated colors.
The story centers around two brothers, Heraldo and Jorge, entangled in a dangerous job for a menacing local loan shark, Bambina. A wild night at Motel Destino, an affair and a tragic event take Heraldo on a rough and unforgettable journey.
Shared without overwhelming exposition, the tragedy adds guilt and fear to Heraldo’s dreams. His electrician skills and luck bring him back to Motel Destino, and into the life of Dayana, a woman running the seedy motel with her older husband.
Marcos Pedroso’s production design transforms the motel into a place oozing with sordid details where constant intimate noises add to the sensual frenzy. Sex, desire, and danger all meet in this place as Heraldo finds himself in illicit liaisons and tense encounters.
Despite some plot shortcomings, the movie is a smouldering mix of sensuality and menace. The performances by the three lead actors carry the viewers along their journey of nervous energy, apprehension, and rage. Through the presentation of the protagonist's trials, Aïnouz shines a light on the struggles of Brazilian youth stifled by the corrupt older generation.
Despite these shortcomings, the movie captivates with its mood, rawness, and charged atmosphere. Audience are kept on the edge, fully engaged in the protagonist's ordeal, making the movie an intense thriller worth the watch.
