Los Frikis is a 2024 American drama film based on true events, set in Cuba in the 1990s. It is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, who also wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. It stars Héctor Medina, Eros de la Puente and Adria Arjona, and is produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Premise
Inspired by the audacity and resilience of kindred souls facing the challenges of Special Period Cuba, this film tells the story of youthful members of a punk rock band, who, seeking musical freedom, relief from poverty, and a sense of independence, purposely infect themselves with HIV. This allows them refuge at an isolated government run sanatorium where they live life on their own terms, forging a seemingly utopian community and looking to an uncertain future with hope and resilience.
Cast
- Adria Arjona as Maria
- Héctor Medina as Paco
- Eros de la Puente as Gustavo
- Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez Gomez
- Pedro Martínez
- Euriamis Losada
- Jorge Enrique Caballero
Production
The film is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, who previously directed The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019). New Slate finances the film with Schwartz and Nilson as producers alongside Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, as well as Rebecca Tomlinson for Lord Miller. Adria Arjona is an executive producer and a member of the cast as sanatorium caregiver, Maria, alongside Héctor Medina and Eros de la Puente as brothers Paco and Gustavo.
Beyond Puerto Rican born Adria Arjona, the cast is made up entirely of native Cubans, in order to facilitate authenticity. Writer/director Schwartz learned to become an effective Spanish speaker to aid and authenticate script development as well as communication with the cast and crew. The filmmakers encouraged actors to give feedback and improvise to facilitate accuracy in the film's depiction of Cuban culture. The production used historical objects and materials instead of replicas where possible and constructed period accurate sets.
Principal photography took place in Dominican Republic. The work of Los Frikis cinematographer Santiago Gonzalez has been recognized by IndieWire as "some of the best of 2024".
Film editing was done by Jon Otazua, who received the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival's Best Narrative Editing Award for his work on Los Frikis.
The soundtrack by Steven Price includes musical influences that inspired the real world Frikis in their rebellion, including The Rolling Stones and Nirvana.
Release
Los Frikis had its world premiere at the Miami International Film Festival in April 2024, where it received a standing ovation and was awarded the Marimbas award. In October 2024, Wayward/Range acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for a December 25, 2024, release. Los Frikis opened in select theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on December 20, 2024, and expanded in limited release on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. Los Frikis released for rent or download on multiple digital platforms on March 28, 2025.
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10.
Los Frikis was praised for its compassion and authenticity, with reviewers commenting that it evoked a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and characterized the film as a tribute to friendship, love, community, freedom, and resilience.
Accolades
Los Frikis won multiple festival jury and audience awards, including Best Narrative Feature and/or audience awards at the 2024 Nantucket Film Festival, the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival, the 2024 Sidewalk Film Festival, the 2024 Middlebury New Filmmakers Film Festival, the 2024 Crested Butte Film Festival, the 2024 Tallgrass Film Festival, the 2024 SCAD Savannah Film Festival and the 2024 Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival as well as a 2024 Shine Global Resilience Award and the Heartland International Film Festival's 2024 Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award as well as the 2024 Heartland Film Truly Moving Picture Award. Héctor Medina (as Paco) was recognized with a Best Performance Award at the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival. Editor Jon Otazua was recognized by the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival for his work on Los Frikis. Los Frikis was recognized by the Latino Entertainment Journalists 2024 film Awards with six nominations in acting, screenplay, film and other categories
References
External links
- Los Frikis at IMDb
