When I first laid eyes on the poster for Problemista, a film that delves into the complexities of immigration, I couldn’t help but wonder why Tilda Swinton, the film’s star, was featured so prominently. However, after watching the movie, it all became clear to me. Written and directed by the talented Julio Torres, Problemista takes on the U.S. immigration system and the feeling of isolation, all wrapped up in a beautifully surreal package. Alongside Torres, the film boasts an incredible cast including Swinton, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Catalina Saaverdra, and James Scully.
The story begins with Alejandro (played by Torres) as a young boy in El Salvador. He sits in a field with his artist mother Delores (Saaverdra), drawing pictures and creating safe spaces for himself. As he grows up in New York City, his dream is to become a toy maker at Hasbro. However, despite numerous attempts, he is repeatedly denied employment. With his work visa about to expire and bills piling up, Alejandro finds himself working at Freeze Corp, a cryogenic center where people are preserved for future revival. It is here that he encounters Bobby Ascencio (RZA), whose frozen body he cares for, and Bobby’s wife Elizabeth (Swinton), who causes quite a stir with her complaints about the facility’s expenses.
In Alejandro’s eyes, Elizabeth becomes a sort of hydra, constantly antagonizing him with her unpredictable behavior. To protect himself from her and the world around him, he envisions himself wearing a suit of armor in his fantasies. The film cleverly portrays the maze of bureaucracy through rooms with locked doors and missing keys, symbolizing the constant struggle to break free from red tape. It’s easy to understand why Alejandro sees the world this way, with the constant threat of deportation hanging over his head. This absurdity perfectly reflects the absurdity of the hierarchical system.
Torres’s imagination runs wild, and what he envisions is exactly what we see on screen. He takes a simple story about immigration and human connection and transforms it into a comedic, surrealistic fantasy that serves as a powerful critique of capitalism. While the concept may seem unconventional, it is a style of storytelling that belongs uniquely to Torres. No one else could have pulled it off with such finesse.
The cast, particularly Swinton, delivers strong performances, bringing the snappy dialogue and outrageous costumes to life. In Problemista, Swinton portrays an entitled super Karen, embodying everything that is wrong with American society. However, Alejandro cleverly uses her behavior to his advantage. Despite her unbearable nature, she often gets her way through screaming, gaslighting, and obnoxiousness. Alejandro understands that he can’t fully adopt this attitude, but he can become a problem for others in his own way.
Problemista is a film about authenticity and finding the confidence to take up space. As a person of color who often feels invisible or pressured to shrink themselves to fit in, it’s important to sometimes cause a little chaos and let that anxiety drive you towards success. I’m sure Torres faced his fair share of chaos while making this film, but there’s something exhilarating about seeing your work come to life. The first piece is always the most sincere and honest, and for it to resonate with the audience, the cast must believe in what they’re doing. That’s why Problemista is a certified hit.
Title: Problemista
Section: Headliners
Director-screenwriter: Julio Torres
Cast: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, Greta Lee
Running time: 1 hr 38 min
Distributor: A24
