Review Los Iniciados - The Diary of Shadows

Carlos Moreno directs the second installment of this dystopian saga set in the universe of Mario Mendoza, delivering a much darker film noir story closely aligned with the graphic novel genre.

In the hands of Lady Masacre, the mayor and her love interest, Ignacio Pombo, died, while his powerful and sinister father, Augusto Pombo, took over the (corrupt) police, thanks to an investigation published by Frank Molina in the local newspaper. This is where the first part of Los Iniciados ended, a dystopian political thriller set in the literary universe of Colombian author Mario Mendoza.

The second part, released worldwide this weekend on Prime Video, heightens the dark atmosphere and presents a much grimmer noir story, steeped in the tradition of graphic novels.

Time has passed, but nothing has changed in the city. The events of the first part, where the population of the fictional city of Kasbah was decimated by a lack of water and the contamination of what little remained (acid rain), have now worsened. Looming over everything is the figure of Augusto Pombo, the sinister politician in control of the vital resource, paradoxically running underground through the city. During this time, insecurity has escalated, and citizens have been restricted from freely walking the streets.

Frank Molina faces the consequences of exposing Augusto, living in hiding with his reputation in tatters as a crazy alcoholic. Despite this, he manages to continue writing anonymously. His fragile peace is disrupted when he finds a bloody note and a pair of eyes at his doorstep. His bipolar disorder also works against him, as he struggles with the trauma of having spent a long and torturous stay in a psychiatric hospital. This is where the new plot leads, forcing Molina to sharpen his investigative skills and confront a past he’s been avoiding for 30 years—one he must face when death once again threatens those he cares about.

The first Los Iniciados film was a dystopian political thriller that introduced a new character (Augusto) created for the cinematic version of the saga, steering the plot toward dramatic territory by showcasing the conflicted father-son relationship that eventually led to the death of the young, promising mayor. In this second part, Frank’s investigative side is explored more deeply, turning the film into a classic crime story, reminiscent of David Fincher's Zodiac and Se7en, especially the latter in terms of pacing, cinematography, characters, and literary connections—though without the dense writing typical of Fincher’s scripts.

Los Iniciados: The Diary of Shadows is a clear and coherent film, well-connected to the initial plot, bringing back characters like Frank’s sister Carmen, police officer Almagro, the morgue’s forensic expert, and Father Lázaro, who remains crucial to the interests of Kasbah’s underprivileged citizens and those who seek to rebel.

This second installment seems aimed at pulling Frank Molina out of his cave, and along the way, more antagonists are revealed, along with new characters. While Augusto Pombo’s shadow hasn’t entirely disappeared, there is another, deeper and more complex villain—brilliantly portrayed by Christian Tappan—who takes center stage in much of the film, breathing new life into the story as it descends into darkness. Little by little, the saga delves deeper into Frank’s personal story, showcasing the almost mystical bond between his madness and the city itself, creating a well-woven narrative.

“Before dawn, the night is darkest. To reach paradise, you must first pass through hell. The path into darkness is the path of the initiates.”

Los Iniciados: The Diary of Shadows also succeeds in intensifying the original pessimistic vision of Mario Mendoza's work, with an even darker atmosphere and more apocalyptic production design, carefully paced to hint at another sequel, as Kasbah seems destined for a prolonged darkness, far from overcoming its crisis.

This well-executed, well-directed, and thoroughly entertaining second installment keeps Frank Molina revitalized on the big screen. By the way, I can’t imagine anyone but Andrés Parra playing the role of Frank.

Technical Details:

Director: Carlos Moreno

Duration: 100 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia

Screenplay: Nicolás Serrano

Produced by: Paola Andrea Pérez Nieto, Rodrigo Guerrero, Mario Mendoza, Alex García, Cristina Echeverri

Cast: Andrés Parra, Christian Tappan, Jorge Cao, Francisco Denis, Cristina Umaña, Silvia Santamaría, Jefferson Quiñones, Héctor García “Pecas”, Julio Pachón, Kevin Muñoz, Julián Cabrales, Andrea Gómez, Laura García, Aida Morales, Gonzalo Sagarmínaga, Mateo Merchán, Sebastián Gómez, Víctor Rodríguez, Nicole Valeria Rodríguez, Herman Sánchez, Luz Deifilia Sánchez, Erik Cuellar, Marlyn Dinas, María Camila Navarro, René Segura, Mónica Ulloa, Juan Pablo Vargas, Patricia Díaz, Sara Chávez, Herme Orozco, Alexander José Reyes, José Quintero, Hernán Botero, Laura Alexandra Rojas

Country: Colombia

Year: 2024

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