Documentary
United States of America
The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Murders is a gripping crime thriller that follows the story of Juana Barraza, a professional wrestler who moonlights as a serial killer. Set in the late 90s and early 2000s, the film chronicles a wave of murders that rocked Mexico City, where elderly women were being targeted and strangled in their own homes.
Although the police initially have no leads, a veteran detective named Mendoza becomes convinced that the killer is a woman, and specifically a wrestler. With the help of his team, Mendoza starts to investigate the wrestling community, and eventually focuses his attention on Juana, a muscular and imposing figure who fits the bill as a potential suspect.
As the investigation intensifies, Juana struggles to balance her dual identities: as a loving mother and grandmother, and as a brutal murderer. The film explores her complex backstory, including her childhood abandonment, domestic abuse, and the culture of violence that surrounds professional wrestling.
As the evidence against Juana mounts, tension builds to a climactic final confrontation between her and Mendoza. In the end, The Lady of Silence raises provocative questions about the nature of justice and the societal forces that can drive people to commit acts of violence.
