Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Aviles
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, disturbing imagery in creepy horror film.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
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Rosario
What's the Story?
ROSARIO (Emeraude Toubia) is a successful Wall Street stockbroker of Mexican origin who learns that her estranged grandmother has died suddenly. Rosario decides to go to her grandmother's home and wait for an ambulance—and her father—to arrive. But a winter storm breaks out, and services are impacted, leaving Rosario trapped in her grandmother's apartment surrounded by unfriendly neighbors—and, soon, supernatural presences that start to attack her. Rosario must confront her family's hidden secrets and uncover the truth about the sacrifices and decisions they made.
Is It Any Good?
This solid if not spectacular film combines typical horror movie elements, such as startling scares and terrifying creatures, with rituals involving sacrifices and pacts that transcend generations. It also addresses the reality of undocumented immigrants who leave their countries in search of a better life and are faced with many difficulties to get ahead. How far are the characters willing to go to sacrifice themselves and others for what they believe in? Rosario knows very little about her past or that of her family, and it's this void that fills her with the worst assumptions.
Alas, none of these aspects are explored in depth, despite the effects and the dark atmosphere, and the plot becomes predictable. That said, there are some moments of comic relief, such as when Rosario has to take a hasty self-taught course in Santeria to undo what she believes is a curse on her while dealing with supernatural entities and a couple of unfriendly neighbors. But that, actually, is the movie's main problem: how rushed and forced it feels for Rosario to deal with so many monsters at once.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Rosario's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes enjoy being scared?
Do you consider Rosario a role model? Why, or why not? What does she learn over the course of the movie?
What is Rosario's family's immigration status? What does the show seem to say about immigration in the United States? What does it reveal about the immigration system that you didn't know before?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 2, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : May 20, 2025
- Cast : Emeraude Toubia , Jose Zuniga , David Dastmalchian , Paul Ben-Victor
- Director : Felipe Vargas
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : The Avenue
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violent content and some language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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