New Order is one pessimistic, nihilistic, angry movie. You might love it or hate it because of those traits… but you’ll probably remember it either way. It also looks like it’s quite controversial since it focuses so heavily on the plight of the rich (but maybe not powerful) during a populist uprising. I get it… punching down and uplifting the “haves” is a bit unusual for films… but I don’t think that’s what the movie is doing.

New Order is set in Mexico right on the cusp of a class-based uprising… and it does follow a wealthy family and their staff as they face the rioting mobs but also the dark police state that rises in the ashes.

This film chooses to not explain why the riots occur or go into any kind of politics. In fact, as the movie starts, you mainly hear in passing that protests are going on. It’s background noise. I think that’s to keep the audience on edge and confused but also showcases how oblivious the rich family is. It’s a message and I don’t think that message is “oh those poor rich folks” but is instead a shot across the bow… a warning. The film is classified as a drama but I’d argue it’s a horror show.

I should also note that much hay has been made about making the poor rioters the villains… but I don’t think that’s the case. Yes, they are the instigators in a situation where the audience doesn’t know the details. Maybe the rich are exploiting the poor, maybe the government is cracking down, maybe, maybe, maybe. But pretty quickly the military take control of the streets and opportunists take over everything else and I think that’s ultimately the message of the film.

In the end, only darkness prevails. The movie has a darkness, a nihilism, and a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. It left me feeling empty at the pointlessness of it all. In the final minutes, you just throw up your hands and ask what the point of all this was.

I loved it. You may not. It’s definitely the kind of movie that will turn many people off, whether because they don’t like the film’s message, depiction of horrific events, or they would just rather watch a Lifetime movie. Whatever the point is though, it’s made with skill. Dark, nihilistic, bleak skill but skill nonetheless.

Score: 85