Bound by Honor, also known as Blood In, Blood Out, is a 1993 American crime drama film directed by Taylor Hackford. The film opens with three young boys who are half-brothers - Paco, Cruz, and their cousin Miklo - growing up in East Los Angeles during the turbulent 1960s. The three boys join the "Vatos Locos" gang and become embroiled in a life of crime, violence, and drugs.
As they grow older, the three boys take different paths in life. Miklo (played by Damian Chapa) is caught in a gang war and is sent to prison, where he tries to establish himself as a powerful leader. Meanwhile, Cruz (played by Jesse Borrego) becomes a talented artist but falls into a dangerous addiction to heroin, leading to tragic consequences. Paco (played by Benjamin Bratt) decides to become a cop and is torn between his loyalty to his family and his duty to uphold the law.
The film explores themes of identity, loyalty, and personal responsibility, as the characters struggle to navigate a world that is often violent, unfair, and unforgiving. It also tackles issues of racism, as Miklo struggles to find acceptance as a bi-racial man in both the Latino and white communities.
Bound by Honor was based on the real-life experiences of poet and author Jimmy Santiago Baca, who served time in prison before turning his life around and becoming a celebrated writer. The film was praised for its honest portrayal of gang life and the struggles of young men trying to find their place in the world. However, it also drew criticism for being overly violent and glorifying the gang lifestyle.