Oak Springs is seeing changes a lot of neighborhoods have been going through, new coffee shop, new art, new businesses, it’s being gentrified. To Lupita, this is unacceptable as it affects her friends and loved one. After a night of Bingo, it becomes clear that something more is afoot, but she seems to be the only one to see it for now. When a newcomer takes over the bingo hall, she’s ready to fight.
Written by Shane McKenzie, Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Perry Blackshear with Gigi Saul Guerrero directing, the film mixes social issues, horror, humor, and a respect for elders in a way that only Guerrero can do. Here the film creates a universe that will feel familiar to many and brings up issues that will also connect with the great majority of audiences. Everyone has seen the effects of gentrification and everyone has an abuela, a grandma, an elder they care about and who would do anything to protect their own. This film is an homage to them. Badass abuelas are a theme that comes back in Guerrero’s work (see La Quinceañera) and she does this with respect and a clear inspiration from her own abuela. Here she gives Lupita, and Dolores, spirit, strenght, and a lot of sass. They are the star and it’s great to see a horror movie about someone over the age of 30 kicking butt and taking names. Here they are also complete humans with lives, interests, and a lot going on. This is something of a thing with Guerrero, she always has complete characters and strong women in her films, giving audiences something they need as the film moves along.
In Bingo Hell, the star and the lead, the one person it is all about is Lupita. Adriana Barraza plays Lupita and she does so with just the right amount of sass and care. It’s that perfect mix of the abuela who cares about her people and doesn’t care what she has to do to protect them. She a hero, she’s strong, and she’s not gonna let anyone walk over her. Barraza’s performance is a very large part of what makes the film. She is Lupita, she is the people of Oak Springs, she is the people affected by gentrification. Her work here is what will keep many coming back over and over. Playing her best friend Dolores who is dealing with a few other things besides the central issue is L. Scott Caldwell who also has an undeniable spirit here and does what is needed in her situation. She’s the best option to have as a bestie for Lupita really. Caldwell’s performance is on point here as well. Playing the bad guy who may be more than human, Mr. Big, is Richard Brake who clearly is loving every bit of this part and playing it with glee. His take on this evil being is just so fun, he ends up stealing a few scenes.
Another strong aspect of Bingo Hell is its look. The film has a very specific look about it. At first, it’s all regular in how it shows Oak Springs and its gentrification, then as things advance, colors shift and become more and more obvious. They create moods and by the third act, they are full blown in your face paired with camera work that moves around a lot more. This cinematography by Byron Werner gives that last third a mood and feeling of its own,m making it all come to viewer as a sort of colorful hell, hellbent on making them feel how the characters are feeling and creating a visual chaos that on point and just the right thing to bring the film home. The lighting work and cinematography really sell that last third and make the film have a strong impact here. (Please do note, some of it can be a bit much for those with visual issues coming from strobe-like effect, these aren’t strobes, but the lights with the edit does create this effect a little bit.)
Bingo Hell is a fun horror film with plenty of blood, some true horror, a message about gentrification, respect for elders, and plenty more. It’s the kind of socially conscious film that is fun to watch, something Gigi Saul Guerrero is becoming a master at. Her work here undeniably enjoyable and shows how much talent she has. This is a good Friday night films after a long week of work or an anytime horror film that entertains on many levels.