'Down the Rabbit Hole' Review: Dark humor and stellar cast can't overcome Netflix film's disappointing plot
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: 'Down the Rabbit Hole', originally titled 'Fiesta En La Madriguera', directed by Manolo Caro, offers a blend of satire and drama set in the backdrop of Mexican drug culture.
The Netflix film, based on Juan Pablo Villalobos' novel by the same name, follows the life of Tochtli, played by Miguel Valverde Uribe, a young boy with an insatiable wish to own a Namibian pygmy hippo.
Tochtli's world appears to be typical until the complexities are unveiled. He is the son of a drug lord, living a life far from normalcy.
From being home tutored, to owning a private zoo comprising of endangered animals, to adjusting his way around henchmen, guns and loads of cash, it certainly takes time for viewers to resonate with the nuances of his unusual life.
Narrative inconsistencies in 'Down the Rabbit Hole' pulls us out of intrigue
'Down the Rabbit Hole' introduces us to the world of opulence, exotic animals, and eccentricities, all tinged with a sense of impending danger, through the perspective of Tochtli.
However, despite Caro's best attempts to focus on Tochtli's psyche, capturing the innocence and curiosity of childhood juxtaposed with the harsh realities of violence and corruption, the film fails to impress us.
The reason why Juan Pablo Villalobos' novel resonated with the audience was the smooth narrative flow and the ability of the characters to draw the readers to them.
However, the film misses the opportunity as the film feels dragged at multiple moments, while the character arcs remain unpolished, despite strong performances by Miguel Valverde Uribe and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.
Netflix's 'Down the Rabbit Hole' fails to leave an impact
While the film's exploration of Mexico's drug-related crimes is intriguing and thought-provoking, the screenplay makes the film uninteresting.
Even the conclusion leaves us wanting a better resolution regarding the deeper themes explored.
Although 'Down the Rabbit Hole' is a thematically rich film offering a unique perspective on atypical childhood, privileges, and the complexities of living in a world defined by crime, the occasional narrative inconsistencies drag it down.
Reading the book would any day be a better choice than watching the film.
'Down the Rabbit Hole' trailer
'Down the Rabbit Hole' is available to stream on Netflix.
