Argentina’s Best Ride of 2024 – And You Need to See It!

As the year comes to a close, I’m picking my favorite Argentine film of the year. Los Delincuentes (2023) is not your average crime film—far from it. This three-hour slow-burner from Argentina is a strange but captivating ride that feels like a mix of existential musing and wild, unpredictable adventure. If you’re in the mood for a film that balances humor, heart, and a sense of freedom, Los Delincuentes (The Delinquents) should be at the top of your watchlist. As we approach the end of 2024, it's already clear that this is one of the year's most unforgettable cinematic experiences.

Directed by Rodrigo Moreno, Los Delincuentes takes a refreshingly unconventional approach to crime storytelling. It’s not about high-octane action or twist-filled plots. Instead, it’s a slow, deliberate exploration of its characters' lives, a meditation on what it means to be free, and how the world around us constrains that freedom. The film centers on two unlikely criminals who find themselves embroiled in a series of absurd situations that straddle the line between drama and dark comedy.

The film’s pacing is one of its most striking elements. The three-hour runtime might raise some eyebrows, but this is a slow burn in the best sense. It doesn’t rush, nor does it force-feed us exposition. Instead, it lingers in the mundane, allowing its characters to develop organically in a way that makes them feel real and relatable. The film often feels like it's less concerned with the "plot" than with letting its characters simply exist within their world.

Despite its leisurely pace, Los Delincuentes is far from boring. Moreno has crafted a narrative that feels more like a personal journey into the weird, wild corners of Argentina. There’s a touch of absurdity in every scene, whether it’s the unlikely friendship that blooms between two men with a rough past or the surreal situations they find themselves in. The film never tries to be a “masterpiece” in the traditional sense; it’s too playful for that. Instead, it feels more like a warm, sincere exploration of freedom and self-discovery, a film that’s happy to be messy and unpredictable.

Thematically, Los Delincuentes explores the tensions between the oppressive grey of urban life and the bright, expansive promise of the countryside. The city is a stifling place, one where people are trapped in their routines and their desires seem unfulfilled. It’s in the countryside, however, that the characters find themselves able to breathe, to imagine, and to love. This contrast is beautifully captured through the film’s cinematography, which contrasts the cold steel and concrete of the city with the open skies and sun-soaked landscapes of rural Argentina.

What makes this film stand out even further is its deep, existential undertone. The journey of the characters feels like an odyssey through the modern world’s contradictions: the dark, grinding reality of work versus the hopeful freedom of escape, the yearning for a life without chains versus the inescapable weight of societal expectations. It’s an exploration of life’s dualities, told through the lens of two men who are far from conventional heroes. It’s a story of lost chances, fractured dreams, and the fleeting moments that define our existence.

But make no mistake, Los Delincuentes is also fun. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, even though it tackles serious themes. The characters’ quirky interactions, the bizarre events that unfold, and the film's willingness to explore the strange and the absurd create a tone that’s equal parts light-hearted and thought-provoking. It’s the kind of movie you might laugh at one moment and ponder deeply the next.

In a year that has seen its fair share of mind-bending films, Los Delincuentes stands out as an exhilarating, genre-defying ride that showcases Argentina’s unique voice in cinema. Moreno’s film doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you to experience a slice of life that’s as weird and wild as the country itself. So, if you’re looking for a film that’s unpredictable, emotionally resonant, and full of surprises, Los Delincuentes is a must-see. It’s more than just a crime film; it’s a journey into the heart of freedom, friendship, and the messiness of life itself.

If you’re up for a cinematic trip that’s a little offbeat and a lot of fun, take the plunge into Los Delincuentes—Argentina’s weird, wild ride of 2024.