In the movie, the disappearance of the Hispanic population causes chaos in California as vital industries such as agriculture and construction suffer due to the absence of these workers. The characters in the movie begin to realize how much they rely on the Hispanic population for their daily lives.
The film explores the underlying racism and stereotypes towards Hispanic people that many of the characters hold. Through a series of vignettes, we see how these characters grapple with the realization that they may have taken the Hispanic population for granted.
As the pink fog continues to envelop the state, tensions rise between the remaining white and Latina characters. The sole Latina character, Lila Rodriguez, becomes a spokesperson for the missing population, highlighting the contributions that they make to California's economy and society.
The movie ultimately ends with the fog lifting and the Hispanic population returning, but not before the characters have undergone significant personal growth and reflection on their attitudes towards race and immigration. A Day Without a Mexican serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking an entire population for granted.
