“Carmen” takes its “ripped from the headlines” concept seriously.
The story, loosely tied to Prosper Mérimée’s novella of the same name, follows mismatched lovers as they run for their lives.
She’s an illegal immigrant fleeing the man who killed her mother. His brash act as a volunteer Border Patrol agent puts his future in doubt.
Together, they dance, sing and inexplicably leave us bored to tears.
Melissa Barrera of “Scream VI” fame plays Carmen, a Mexican woman heading across the U.S. border after the death of her beloved mother. Her journey is interrupted by Border Patrol agents and their vigilante-style recruits.
The most racist goon of the bunch threatens to kill Carmen before Aidan (Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”) risks everything to save her. He’s a former...